kingofbytes

Hi All,

I've recently been having problems with the A/C in my 06 RL. I got it back from the mechanic who purged the system and refilled the freon.

The car blows cold air - only out the passenger side vents. The driver side vents basically blow cabin air - no cooling.

I engaged the dual climate control and did the following:
1. Hi for driver, Lo for passenger ---- Works as expected
2. Lo for driver, Lo for passenger ---- Pass works as expected, driver blows cabin temp air
3. Lo for driver, Hi for passenger ---- Pass works as expected, driver blows cabin temp air.

In my searching the forum, I found 3 main fixes (4 really) for the odd issues:
1. Replace the coil - 38924-RJA-A01
2. The stator?
3. the CCM (Climate Control Module)
4. Replace the compressor (which replaces the coil?)

So my question is: How do I narrow it down? Is there an easy way to check the CCM (I presume it controls the door flap behind the radio)? Any advice?

Again, passenger is cold - drivers side is not. Heat works fine for both.

Thanks!

oo7spy

I would have to think that if you are getting any cold air, the coil, stator, and compressor are working. I would focus on the control module.

kingofbytes

After another review today, here's where I'm at - (still looking for guidance):

I ran the AIRCON diagnostic to gather more information. The procedure to get to AIRCON is relatively simple:
1. Press and hold both AUTO and RECIRCULATION buttons and start the car. Release.
2. Press and hold Menu, Map/Guide, and Cancel buttons for 3-5 seconds.
3. Select Unit Check
4. Select AIRCON

Once I pulled that up, I noticed 2 oddities. See pics.
1. Drivers Air Mix Motor (DrA/M motor) lists a negative value. I'm pretty sure this should only be between 0 and 100.
2. Vent Temperature Air Out (TAO) is also listed as a negative value.

It appears to me that these two numbers are participating in my problem. Any ideas? Do I need to replace the entire CCM? Is this just a wacky sensor or relay?

I'm at a loss at this point.....

kingofbytes

bump

oo7spy

Have you checked the service manual?

kingofbytes

Yes - I also posted a pic from it in my previous post. I couldn't find anything regarding the avenue to take with respect to the negative numbers seen in the pics.

There are no error codes in the system so there's no reference in the service manual to my specific issue - which is why I'm looking for guidance around what to do. Replacing the CCM seems overkill - I'm not sure if there's a temperature sensor I can replace?

Is anyone on this board an Acura mechanic or have access to one that can provide some guidance? I'm contemplating replacing the Driver Air mix door - but I suspect the negative values I'm seeing won't be remedied if I replace the Air Mix Door. So I'm leaning toward a temperature sensor....

kingofbytes

Anyone know if there's a simple sensor that can be replaced for the air mix and/or temp air out thermostat?

mj4328

I am having a similar issue and would like to know if you have found a solution?

kingofbytes

No solution yet - My two options are the CCM (expensive) or some type of sensor/thermostat. I haven't had time to pull it apart eventhough I di have the manual. The pics I posted show the drivers side showing negative temperatures - which sort of explains why I cannot get cold AC air out of the drivers side.

However, if it's just a simple sensor which is how I'm leaning, it'd be nice to know which one it is. These cars are so complicated to diagnose and the service manual doesn't have this particular symptom in its list.

mj4328

I did the AIRCON diagnostic and also got negative values in the same places you did.

oo7spy

Have you located the driver's vent temperature sensor depicted on the 4th page of the HVAC section? Also, that diagram shows a driver and passenger cool vent control motor. I would guess somewhere in those two parts, but the negative temps have me thinking the sensor is bad.

Looks like it would be this bad boy, and may be located inside the driver duct. SENSOR ASSY., DUCT for 2007 Acura RL|80570-SJA-A01

kingofbytes

@007spy

I have not tried that - however, today, when it was 90 degrees out, I turned on the AC and after about 10 minutes, the drivers side magically started getting colder. When the cabin starting reaching temperature (65 degrees), the climate came off "recirculate" and auto switched to normal. Then the drivers side was a little warmer, but still acceptable.

When it got warmer, I change the temp down to Lo and started getting AC out of the drivers side again.

I'll need to check that sensor - the fact that I got some AC out of the drivers side today tells me there is some sensor going haywire. Will post when I figure out more (not for a few days).

kingofbytes

UPDATE:

Hello all. I just went in and swapped the drivers (and passengers) vent temperature sensors. The result? Same exact behavior - passengers side is cold and drivers is about 5-10 degrees warmer.
So it's not the temperature sensors.

The next item I'll try is the Drivers Air Mix motor. Note: the TAO value has changed to a positive number (before it was -16 degrees celsius). The DR/AM motor is still the exact -14.10% number from before.

Wish me luck!

kingofbytes

UPDATE2:

I took out the drivers "cool vent control motor" and followed the manual to test it. According to the manual, it's supported to move to a particular spot and stop (open). Then, when polarity is reversed, it's supposed to move the other way and stop (closed.

When I do this, the motor will just keep spinning round and round - no stopping. Same thing when I reverse polarity.

So the motor works, it just doesn't stop. Does anyone have any further ideas? Busted motor? Feels weird to reinstall the motor when it's not acting the way the manual says it should.

oo7spy

Depends on the logic of the motor if it makes sense or not. I would have to guess you have isolated your issue and only extreme conditions are triggering expected behaviors.

kingofbytes

RESOLVED! LAST UPDATE:

So I broke down and brought it in to the stealership. They used their computer and pulled this DTC code: B2984 - A problem in the Driver's side cool vent control motor circuit, linkage, door, or motor.

Their solution was to remove the blend motor and cool air vent motor and re-install linkage correctly on cool air vent motor.

Evidently, there is an auger-type shaft that interlocks with a sprocket on the vent door. That shaft had mysteriously disconnected from the sprocket teeth. They heard the motor working....when they got in there, they reconnected it. Once re-connected, it's working as it should.

Most of my AIRCON diags are back to normal except the Drivers side A/M motor which still shows -14.1 as the reading. That's ok with me as everything is working as it should.

And I got off light at the stealership with only 2 hours of labor totalling $229.99. (They're $109/hr now with 11.99 hazardous fee). I guess they put some dye in the AC system for any future issues which is fine with me.

I'm also happy to report that it looks like they replaced their service consultant and service management staff almost wholesale. Much better experience there this time around.

oo7spy

Thanks for finishing out the troubleshoot.

A purely mechanical failure is pretty tough to track down if you can't see it.