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Although with winter approaching and the defrosters going I expect the numbers to go down, especially since when the defrosters are on not only is it taking heat off the engine, which I've heard is bad for mileage, but also the A/C is on and running the compressor, which I've heard mixed responses on.
So again thanks.
Dudley posted this earlier, and I assume he'd be okay with me pasting it on here. If you'd like to use the defroster WITHOUT running the A/C (as when just de-icing the windshield), here are the steps to allow you manual control of the A/C when the defrost choice is selected. Stock, you cannot manually turn off the A/C when the vents are set on defrost. The compressor will keep running, even though the light turns off. Using this "hack," YOU control the A/C.
1) With vehicle on, push the airflow button for "top vent".
2) Shut car off.
3) Turn temp knob to the coldest setting
4) Turn fan off
5) How down both "Air Recirculation" button and "AC" button. With both buttons depressed, turn key to "ON" position. (don't need to actually start the car) Keep holding the buttons down for at least 7 seconds.
6) The AC and Air Recirculation lights will light up and flash at different points during the 7 second hold-down.
7) When the air recirculation light stops flashing, release the two buttons.
Now you have full control over the AC. When you hit the Defog button, the AC light will now illuminate. You can now shut it off if you so desire and get Defog air without AC!
Thanks again dudleyr!
The A/C still automatically comes on when you select defrost. The only difference is that this time the A/C light comes on, and you have the option of turning it off.
What prompted this was 3.5 hour trip in the rain at 50 degrees. The a/c ran the whole time, when at that temp, and for that distance the heat/defog would have been fine.
Keep in mind that the rest of the world is more frugal with gas than us. They would not stand for loss of control over the a/c. All we have done is make the car like most foreign Accords.
Grad - no problem reposting, the more that know the better. I did not discover this just dug it up from some older posts.
Don't mean to ask so many questions.
Don't mean to ask so many questions.
Hey buddy, how else can you learn other than by asking? Don't sweat it, and ask away.
I believe a battery disconnect/reconnect should do the trick, although honestly, I can't say for sure. Dudleyr, can you field this one?
In other words if you turn on the defrost and shut off the A/C, then switch it to just top vent, then go back to defrost, does it also remember that the A/C is off then? Should it essentially act like my 95 did when I turned on the defrost and had to use A/C to dry the air?
Sorry if this is confusing. Sometimes I have trouble explaining myself.
If this is how it should work, then thanks for the tips. If this is way off, thank you anyway for trying to help. User error is common here.
There are several options for the air: MAC AC, Body, Body&Feet, Feet, Feet&
Windshield, Windshield.
The manual says when in Feet&Windshield or Windshield, the AC is
automatically on, even thought the AC light is off, for anti-foggy purpose.
The manual also says that when it switches from Feet&Windshield or
Windshield to Feet, the AC is still on. This sounds very strange/stupid.
The manual doesn't say for the Body, and Body&Feet. That means only Feet
button has this stupid issue? In other words, when switching from
Windshield or Windshield/Feet to Body or Body/Feet, the AC will
automatically change to Off?
Any idea/suggestion?
thanks.
Not to sound impolite, but I'm not quite sure what you're asking.
Mrbill
Mrbill
With the hack, A/C comes on automatically when you press defrost/feet or defrost. It allows you to turn it off if you want to though, much how the 1998-2002 Manual A/C works. I like it coming on automatically, but I also like the option to be able to turn it off.
What is going on is, defrost/defog works much better with A/C on, so it is turned on automatically. I will usually only use the defrost/windshield mode until the windshield is clear, then switch back to dash/cooling or floor/heat.
There are several options for the air: MAC AC, Body, Body&Feet, Feet, Feet&
Windshield, Windshield.
The manual says when in Feet&Windshield or Windshield, the AC is
automatically on, even thought the AC light is off, for anti-foggy purpose.
(I understand this part, and it makes sense).
The manual also says that when it switches from Feet&Windshield or
Windshield to Feet, the AC is still on. This sounds very strange/stupid.
(this doesn't make sense. So I would like to make sure my understanding is correct).
The manual doesn't say for the Body, and Body&Feet. So when switching from
Windshield or Windshield/Feet to Body or Body/Feet, will the AC automatically change to Off or not?
(I would like to hear from experts here)
Here is the issue: when you switch back, the AC may still be on, even the indicator is not off. This is the issue I try to figure out!
The condensers in the front have been targets of road debris. The thin wall aluminum tubing doesn't take much of an impact to make a small hole.
I added 3/8" hardware cloth just behind the opening in the bumper in my 04 Accord. With it painted black, you would never know it's there unless you really looked closely. So far it has done it's job.
Mrbill
Are you sure it was the compressor? Or the Condenser? The condenser is in front of the radiator, and can easily be damaged by a rock flying up from the road. The compressor would be harder for a rock (debris) to hit. If it was the condenser, and you travel down dirt/rocky roads, you may consider putting a (heavy duty) screen behind the bumper opening, to protect the condenser.
I think i will invest in a heavy duty screen. expensive lesson to learn.
If this is indeed what is happening, I'd love to see that hack. I absolutely hate the idea that the manufacturer would feel obliged to do this. After all, warm air + defrost can usually defrost a window very nicely without A/C. Otherwise, how would cars have been able to function for decades without it?
MAK
Well, believe it my friend. Sit idling, with your fan on, vents set on face, A/C off. Then press defrost. You'll hear the A/C kick on. If you press the A/C button, it doesn't turn off. You can hear and feel this. The hack works.
And, along with elroy, I live in the South (Birmingham, AL) and second the comments about the heat!
Let me know if anyone finds the right wire to snip to keep that compressor off. I simply don't need it here in Chicago most days.
Bingo.
We had Auto climate control in our Honda for 6 years, this is true.
Yes, you can easily hear the transmission when shifting the gears.
thanks
rajesh
I didn't notice this problem until I changed the battery a few months ago, at which time the problems almost immediately started. Did you by chance change your battery prior to your problems? If so maybe that's our fix!!
rajesh