I own a 2003 Acura TL (no Nav System) with 57000 miles. Until about 2 months ago the automatic climate control system worked very well on the Full Auto setting. I typically dial in a temperature of 70-73 degrees year round and the interior stayed comfortable. About 2 months ago the system started to keep the car too cool when the outside temperture is close to the inside temperature. This is most noticable in the morning when the temperture in the cabin is say 68 degrees to begin with and the outside temperture is say 70. The A/C will come on with a medium fan speed and just never stops.

Yesterday I drove my car to the dealer to have them diagnose the problem. It's about a 30 minute drive and the interior and exterior temperatures were both around 70 degrees. I left the A/C on full auto with a desired temperature of 73. It kept getting colder and colder in the car so I would occasionally turn the desired temperature up a degree or two. By the time I got the dealer I was freezing and the temperature was set on 80. The only difference turning it all the way to 80 made was that the cold air started blowing on my feet instead from the dash. It's as though part of the system knew that I was requesting heat so it directed air to the floor, but another part of the system insisted on air conditioning.

The dealer charged me an hour's labor and concluded the automatic climate control is working just fine. I've always been happy with my dealer but I'm disappointed they can't find the problem. They say they ran diagnostics and that the computer is reporting that all is well. They also probably can't sense the problem because the weather has turned hot and when they see the A/C running at full blast they conclude that it's working.

Has anyone else had a similar issue with their TL? Are there any TSBs that I might refer my dealer too? (I know, that's his job not mine but I really want to get this fixed). Any help will be appreciated!

Scott - Park Hills, KY

 

A couple possibilities:
Can you turn the AC off, or does it always blow cold air? Maybe the AC clutch relay is stuck closed.
Maybe the inside cabin temperature sensor is bad?
I don't know where it's located, but once you find it, you could squirt it with some freeze spray from Radio Shack, then the system should blow warm air?
All they did was run the built-in diagnostics? An hour's labor seems excessive to punch a few buttons and read the display.

 

Even if you had a stuck clutch, you would still be able to get warm air with AC on.
Sounds to me like the air mix motor isn't letting any hot water come to the heater core. Is your thermostat ok (engine temp is steady and all good) and is the antifreeze level ok? If so, I would spray some wd40 where the valve allowing antifreeze into the heater core is. On that note, look at this valve while engine is running and ac on all while having somebody go from min to max(temp) on the control switch/dial. Still no good, then I suppose the equipment is not as the dealer says. Try those few things and post what you find.

 

mine does a little different. I usually have mine temp. at 69 and it is pretty warm, and if i wanted a little cooler i have it down to 64/65, but after i did my LED conversion on my ac clucther ( i kinda drop when i took it out, but i tested it everything work except theheater is a little strange ) now i have turn the temp. atleast 71 to feel the heat and i was wondering if anybody know what can i do to fix it. i usually leave my temp at 69 so for you guy what is the temp do u guy leave at? because right my 69 degree temp is almost the same as 60. i really don't know if all this make sense ...but if anybody does do understand please help

 

Good ?. I have mine usually set around 64-65 to keep me cool (It has been getting scorching hot lately). But in the winter I had it set to about 70 w/AC off to keep me warm.
However, there are a couple issues with mine. I need to replace the mix motor or linkage or else the actual climate control computer.
Do you know how to or did you already run the diagnostic on it?

 

I have the same problem of setting the temp to around 70-73, turn full auto on and sometimes it blows really COLD air and even if I turn up the temp. slowly to 80, it still blows really cold air. I think the temp. sensor for full auto function is not working right, but if you turn the temp. nob all the way to max heat, then turn back down to desire temp., full auto works normal again and blows correct temp. air out instead of really cold air.

 

This could be the valve that controls how much hot coolant flows into the heater core. When you adjust the controls for 'full heat', it moves enough to unstick, then works for a while until it sticks again.

 

Agreed. You can go in the engine bay and squirt some penetrating oil/wd40.

But, it sounds a lot like mine and mine is giving me an "air mix motor linkage/motor problem" and "open in air mix motor" error code. So, I have to test those features out and the fix on the worst case is a new master control and new air mix motor. I am going to tear it up in the next few weeks. I will let you know what I find out.

Do you know how to run the diagnostic? If not, press and hold the auto button immediately followed by the off button with the ignition in "lll" pos'n. take note of any segments that are visible when it is not the "88." e.g lower right segment of the left number "8" = open in the air mix motor. Each digit has 7 (2 digits, 14 possible) segments each representing a fault code. Hope that makes sense

 

I have the following issue:

I leave the CC on Full auto at 71F. On the cooler mornings, it'll only blow cold air (after driving more than 1/2 hour).
If I cycle the temp setting up & down and end back at 71F, it will blow warm air correctly.
I believe that one of the damper motors is sticking; changing the temp causes it to keep trying to move over and over until it finaly does.

 

That sounds reasonable.

 

My car is 2002 TL with Navigation system and it has now some problems. I already went to a shop for all minor problems, so the car worked ok till the new issue poped up. The problem is Climate control system. Last Friday I came back from work turning on A/C (auto mode) with no problem. When back to home, I turned off the car and stayed at home. After about 30 minutes I came out, started the car, and turned on the A/C with auto mode. Then, the climate control problem poped up. When pushing the auto button, the indication light was on, and it seemed no problem on the unit. Even I can changed the temperature (without any response). No cold or hot air. No blowing. I checked and tested the relays and fuses but couldn't find any bad parts. So, I researched some discussions and notified that the control unit or computer chip could be the cause. Though, I'm not sure.
If I can fix the problem with just replacing the computer or control unit, it will be great. There's no doubt. I just want to make sure if my research would be right.
Could anyone advise me?

Thank you in advance...

HCTL2002

 

Scott,

I have the exact same problem but have not tried to get it fixed yet. Were you successful in getting the problem resolved? If so what was the fix?

Thanks,
John

 

My CC doesn't work right either. I long for the temp dial in my Accord. On my latest trip to Oregon I had to turn off the AC because it was freezing me out.

 

My '00 accord had the most excellent auto cc. I am with you