Just got my car back from the dealer after 2 weeks of sitting there getting the a-spec body kit and rockblocker installed... /sigh...another long story.

Anyhow, it's hot here today, so I was running (or trying) to run the A/C on the way back to work.

In spite of any setting I dial in on the controls, the drivers's side is kicking out all hot air, while the passenger side is blasting out cold. Anyone ever seen this issue?

The dealer was supposed to do the alignment, body kit, rockblocker film, clean the blotchy dash, and fix the water leak issues. None of these should be related to the a/c climate issues I'm now experiencing, right....???

 

^ 2 weeks for a 1 day job? What kinda dealership is this?!!

 

Well they were busy, had issues, then their alignment machine broke, the film guys (who come in) didn't come when they were supposed to, etc... /sigh. Also did the rear seat leaks, fixed a door sill, both of which were minor.


They were supposed to inquire about the new a-spec alignment settings and when I got it back, definitely used the old ones.

Finally, the 2 dings I had filled on the front were supposed to have been fixed (I had touch up paint built up and I wanted it smoothed down and fixed)....and it wasn't done..they put the film right over em.

Anyhow, the delay didn't really bother me all that much since I've had their loaner TL the whole time, so no biggie, except I like mine more.

What bothers me is getting it back not done 100% the way I wanted it done.

Not a super happy camper right now..

Anyhow, the more major problem is this heat/cold climate thingie...only connection I can even think of is they were cleaning the dashboard due to the TSB on this issue (blotchy dashboards). Any chance the climate sensor up there got damaged?

 

Mechanic looked at it this AM, said there is a heater valve that is supposed to open and it is "stuck" on my car..so something is definitely wrong. There's also a little valve/door thingie inside the console that controls the "mix" of hot/cold air to the driver / passenger...and he checked that too. Once he saw the valve was stuck and wouldn't open (this is located in the engine bay just underneath the strut/tower bar by the way)...he said there's a problem (may be electronic)....but it needs to come in for service, something is wrong.

 

Hey man if this was at a dealership it wasn't a Mechanic. Technicians hate this word "mechanic" a "mechanic" Would not know how to fix your problem. Vehicles today especially the TL has so much electronic control a "mechanic" would be lost.

Biggest thing a "Mechanic" has no degree or very little education. As technicians we pay a lot of money to go to school to which most of us have a degree.

Enough of me bitchin.

The HVAC case is filled with 6 - 12 (im not sure exactly how many) motors and flaps which are called stepper motors. These flaps are controlled by the Climate Control module. Each flap and motor has a certian position at different temperatures and directional settings.

With that being said if there is something (besides air) in the HVAC case something can block a flap from opening or (the most common) the plastic arm from the motor to the flap is broken or the gears are stripped. oh and last and least likely the control module isn't opening that flap.

Bear with the Advisor and Tech if it was not one of your original complaints. Trust me I understand your frustration having to go back to the dealer but just remember they are trying to help.

I hope this helped you understand it a little better since it seems your technician didn't explain it very well to you.

 

Woops sorry... didn't mean to be politically incorrect I do realize that these cars are far more complicated these days, and I appreciate you taking the time to respond.


I'm not frustrated about the heat situation at all...the technician did try and explain all that to me, and also mentioned that he has seen pieces of carpet get stuck in the "flaps" before...but when he looked he couldn't see anything obvious wrong, therefore it needs to come in for service so he can look into it further. The technician who usually works on my car at this dealership is actually a Master certified technicians and the SAs all say he's the best there is....so it's not that he didn't explain it very well to me...it's more than I'm not explaining it very well on these forums, he took the time to show me even how the relay doesn't open when the heat/compressor (I'm not sure which) cycles on.

My frustration is more with my SA on the service they were supposed to do, including an a-spec alignment where they were supposed to first check the specs with Acura Techline, they didn't. Grr...instead they used the old specs when they sent it out to someone else for alignment!

They were supposed to fix the paint on the car where it had a bulge from touch up paint prior to putting on the clear bra...they assured me you wouldn't be able to see it under the bra...well they didn't fix it..and it looks like total crap....grr...strike #2.

Finally, I close my sunroof cover and it's all covered in grease. They did clean it up yesterday but still...not good.

I didn't mind at all that they took 2 weeks to do this stuff, since I had a loaner. I kept telling the SA on the phone, that that's fine, please...just make sure you do it right and make sure you call Acura Techline before you do the alignment, and get the paint fixed before you do the bra. Neither one happened...see why I'm frustrated? I pay all that $$ and it's done wrong...

In the computer industry the old adage is good, fast, or cheap...pick 2. It obviously wasn't fast or cheap...fine...I just wanted good.

The heater thing I'm sure they will get it fixed, it goes back in on Friday, and I talked about the paint issue with the SA and he said he'd fix that for me too, so hopefully all will be fine.

I still haven't heard though what specs should be used for the alignment, so if you are in fact a technician and have access to Techline could I beg you to check for me please please pleaase?

I have a separate thread going in the other section of this forum that explains the issue a little further..

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136636

Thanks!

 

Had a similar problem with my car when I bought it - noticed on the ride home when it got a bit chilly that the heat wouldn't kick on.

Took it to the dealership, they took it apart and said that there is a valve controlled by something described to me as a bicycle brake cable, and this cable was pinched during the factory install. Took them a day or two to fix it since the dash had to come off, but it's been perfect ever since.

Good luck.

 

Yes, exactly, the bicycle brake looking cable is exactly what the service technician had me watch..it's supposed to move when the system cycles on and it wasn't moving at all.

 

You might also have him check the interior temperature sensor. I think if it is disconnected, the computer thinks the drivers side is cold and turns on full heat, but the passenger side will get AC because of the dual system.