Noticed in the past couple weeks that the AC is not very cold. It is blowing fine, just feel cool and not cold. Odd thing is the passenger side seems even warmer. Also noticed at certain times in the morning there is condensation coming thru the drivers side vents only.

Did the diagnostic trick on the climate control and no codes were posted.

I am hoping it is just low on Freon, any other things I should try? I have a visit to the dealership in a couple weeks for an unrelated issue, and was hoping to be able to repair it myself.

Did a couple searches on here and everyone seem to point to low Freon, but wanted to make sure. Thanks everyone.

Shaun

 

Should not leak Freon, unless the car is many years old. Or a bad A/C clutch relay can cause Freon to vent - see TSB 11-031 (yes its for MDX but applies to all other Acura/ Honda models).

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14545907#post14545907

1) sticking driver side or passenger side vent control motors/ linkage
2) worn A/C clutch (slipping or not completely engaging)
3) weak A/C field coil, which does not completely engage the clutch

 

If a rock hit your condenser it can leak freon. Deteriorated o rings. Leaking shrader valves. Have the system evac and recharged and see how much comes out.

 

If you have any reputable A/C shop nearby, definitely stop by and see if they can help you. I've heard of oil change shops like Valvoline do services like these as well.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Hoping it is just a Freon and nothing dealing with the clutch. Thought it might be related to vent control motors, but find it hard to believe they have both failed at the same time(drivers and passengers).

Car is 9 years old now and run the AC most of year since I live in Orlando.

Haven't had much luck finding a decent non-dealer to work on my cars in the past. Keep finding the shady ones.

Will let everyone know how it turns out.

 

put fluorescent dye in when you top off system. the using a LED flashlight, check systems for leaks.

condenser is first place I would look

 

Fixed.

 

the dye will be visible with regular light, LED flashlight will make it easier to see. Most people have access to a LED flashlight or can get one easily. Most people do not have UV light but as you said it would be preferred.

 

have you replaced the cabin filter? if you haven't replacing it may yield you better results.

 

for my 04TL it smell like mold when i first start the AC, can any body please tell me why, and what can i do to eliminate the odor

thank you very much

 

Won't be the cabin filter because he said it blows fine. If he had restricted air then yes it may cause warmer temps. But I doubt it's that.

Led lights don't show dye better than a regular light. Led lights are brighter period. The dye is meant for UV light. You'll also need the yellow glasses to see it even better.

 

In a flashlight LEDS are brighter and more focused than the halogen flashlights. I dunno about you but my experience is that they are definately better than a regular flashlight at showing up things like the yellow or red A/C dye that comes in most recharge kits. I have found more than a few leaks with dye and just a LED light in various cars.

 

Of course an LED light is brighter. That's like saying you can use a light bulb from a lighthouse to find Ac dye. If the leaks big enough you don't even need a light to see Ac dye. And half the time it is. But Ac dye is made to be visible with a uv light. Lights up like a glow stick.

 

what I said went right over your head. please refer to post #8 where I clearly stated that UV light would be preferred. If a person does not have one, there is no need to go buy one as you can do it with a regular or LED flashlight. When I condenser took a hit I could see the r134a coming out without the addition of any dye. Took the car to acura and just asked them to replace the condenser and saved myself about $100 in diag fees and r134a

 

if it's a SMALL leak you'll have a hard time seeing it with a LED flash light. you might not even see it at all. Trust me I have a 130 lumen LED flashlight and tried to look for a AC leak on the compressor and couldn't see anything. I put on the yellow glasses and used the UV flash light and could see it glowing. took the glasses off and pulled out my LED flash light to check it again and couldn't see anything.

If you put on some yellow glasses and get a UV flash light to that same SMALL leak you will definitely see it.

Now if it's a big leak like "a rock hitting the condenser and you can see refrigerant pouring out with a/c dye" than obviously you don't need a UV light and special glasses to see that...