amarmels

I have a 2016 MDX SH-AWD with Tech and Entertainment which, from day one, has not seemed to cool properly. I can set the internal tempt to 72 or 65 and the car never cools to anywhere near those temps.

This i my wife's daily driver, so I don't spend much time in it, only enough to always remark on how poor the a/c is. We brought it in for service last June and got the usual "all is within normal parameters." My wife continued to drive it, and it didn't work properly, but she, for whatever reasons didn't want to address it again (and I'll keep my thoughts as to why to myself so we can stay married another 16 years). A year later, after more complaining from yours truly, and more importantly her repeatedly arriving to work in a puddle of sweat, she agreed to take it back to the dealer. Guess what they said? Exactly. "Ran some tests, all is within normal range." When pressed which tests, I got some nonsense about leaving it the service bay while running for an hour with temperature sensors stuck in the dash. Possibly true, I suppose, but hardly replicates driving around in the Florida sun. I asked if the did a service port pressure test. Response: blank stare. Rep mentioned testing Freon levels. I asked for the numeric results. Answer: blank stare. He mentioned we should put the car in Max Cool and that should do it (as if this is a 1984 Escort). Bottom line is that the loaner 2016 MDX they provided had a/c that worked properly. Yes, it's hot in Florida in the summer but my Hyundai's a/c is so cold you could hang meat, as is the a/c in our 12 year old Pilot and every rental car I drive in throughout the state. The dealership wants to hang their hat on "all the test are normal" and ignore the fact that, while that (may) be true, it doesn't change the fact the car doesn't cool. In the process of arguing with them about it today. Any thoughts on where I could lead them to look ?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Adam

flyboy

If I set the temp control to Auto and recirculate then mine gets quite cold (2017 MDX Hybrid), if I try setting it on outside air not so much. It also has to have the air outlets concentrated on the dash level vents to get really cold, having it blow on the feet and body seems to cut down the cooling effect quite a bit until the car is cooled. This is on 90 degree high humidity days in Kansas. The system is not as robust as the one in my Audi A6 but does the job if run the way I indicated.

mellonc

My experience with Honda ACs. Always undersized. As for your issues, I'd check air mix servo. There are two. One for the driver side and one for passenger side. After that check the AC coolant lines. On the odyssey the coolant lines were so easily damaged by rocks that Honda eventually had a recall campaign and reimbursed me for the repair cost-$1200.

Bluepill

Basic DIY test:

Outside temperature below 90 degrees.

With temp set at minimum (LO) and recirc set to "ON", drive at road speed of 50 mph or above for 10 minutes after the vehicle has been cooled down to below 80 degrees inside cabin temp.

With a digital "indoor/outdoor" thermometer probe inserted into one of the main center vents you should get a reading in the mid 40's.

If you cannot attain this temp, something is wrong.


FWIW, I had mice chew the foam seal on the fresh air inlet door in the dash. That allowed hot outside air in even with the control set to recirc. You can inspect it yourself my removing the cabin filter and looking with a flashlight.

Go to an air conditioning specialist shop and have them do a pressure and temperature test.