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Honda CR-V AC Compressor Problems

2155 messages,  Last post on May 13, 2013 at 5:50 AM

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What is this discussion about? Honda CR-V, Heating / Cooling, SUV

Messages Page 112 of 217

#1102 of 2155 Re: 2002 CRV with 2nd compressor issues [jpettibone] by blueiedgod

May 18, 2009 (10:14 am)

Replying to: jpettibone (May 16, 2009 11:16 am)
I don't work for Honda, although I wish I did. There are a few changes I would make. Marketing would have to go to engineering school and get at least an associate degree in any sort of engineering.
 
Other changes would include putting manual transmissions in vehicles, which are available in other countries, but not in Honda's biggest market.
 
Honda is a great engineering and development company. They developed the best engines, and now robots in the world. In order to finance those R&D ventures, they have to put those engines into something. So, they developed motorcycles, cars, SUV's and airplanes to put those engines into.
 
Vehicle sales is just a side business. They don't make the compressors, they have someone make it for them, Denso.
 
As to the A/C failures, yes, they happen. It is unfortunate, but legally, Honda's liability ends when the warranty ends. Anythiing else is just icing on the cake. No other manufacturer in the world would even consider talking to people about covering out of warranty repair, even 1 mile out side of warranty.
 
Honda, on the other hand, does offer some relief to these people. It should be commended on that, and not complained that Joneses got more than the Smiths.
 
From Honda's point of view, these are the factors that go into detemining who gets what.
 
Someone who bought his or her Honda because they read on some forum or someone told them it was "da bomb" is not going to be a loyal customer, whether Honda pays for the complete repair or not. They have already made up their mind, and will be soured by this experience.
 
A loyal Honda fan, on the other hand, with proven track of Honda product ownership, will stand by the company, no matter what the outcome is. Loyal Honda buyer keeps coming back to the products not because someone said it was good, or bad, but because these products fit this particular individual's tastes and desires, and no other company has the line of products that fulfill that need.
 
I am the second kind of customer, I currently own: 1983 Honda Magna, 1988 Honda Prelude Si 4WS, 2005 Honda CR-V, 2004 Honda Lawmower, 2006 Honda Generator, 2008 Honda powerwasher. I have made pillgrimage to Honda headquarters in Aoyama, and have "talked" to Azimo.
 
Other vehicles I have owned were: 1985 Civic DX hatcback, 1987 Accord LXi, 1999 Civic EX, 2001 CR-V SE, and 2002 Civic Si. Some I end up keeping because I believe they are "one of a kind," some I sell when I am done. I still regret selling the 2002 Si, and in the process of getting one in decent shape that has not been raced.
 
Honda makes the products that fit me, have the features I want, and does not have the features I don't want. I belong to a Honda enthusiast club and attend meetings, gatherins, and events with other club members. Honda would be foolish to lose customers like these.
 
Most of the members are multiple Honda owners. Starting with Honda dirtbikes as children and over the years graduating through Honda product line to Acura NSX, or if they did well for themselves, to Honda Jets.
 
So, no I am not condencending, and I am sorry if I came across this way. I am just one of the millions of Honda nuts who take pride in owning the most well engineered machines in the world.
 
Good luck.

#1103 of 2155 Re: 2002 CRV with 2nd compressor issues [blueiedgod] by steve_ HOST

May 18, 2009 (2:11 pm)

Replying to: blueiedgod (May 18, 2009 10:14 am)
Maybe Honda should scale back on the robots and get into the compressor business.
 
Whatever process Honda had for QC for the Denso compressors doesn't seemed to have worked out all that well and it has hurt their reputation. Not many people ask who the supplier was when a major component appears to fail repeatedly.
 
I'm a bit leery of Alps power door switches after a issue repeatedly arose with them on my Nissan minivan. It makes you wonder if the supplier is incompetent or if the manufacturer's beancounters weakened the specs to save money on the components.
 
What's odd to me is that you don't see similar issues with other Honda vehicles like you do for the CR-V. A few Accord owners have had failed AC compressors, but what is it about the CR-V that's frying them?

#1104 of 2155 Re: 2002 CRV with 2nd compressor issues [steve_] by blueiedgod

May 19, 2009 (10:28 am)

Replying to: steve_ (May 18, 2009 2:11 pm)
Maybe Honda should scale back on the robots and get into the compressor business.
 
Then people will complain that their cars are too cold and they can't feel their appendages after driving for half hour.
 
What's odd to me is that you don't see similar issues with other Honda vehicles like you do for the CR-V. A few Accord owners have had failed AC compressors, but what is it about the CR-V that's frying them?
 
2002-2004 Civic Si, 2001-2004 Acura RSX owners have reported failed compressors. what is interesting is that Element and Accord use similar compressors, but are built in the USA, and have not had any reports of failed compressors.

#1105 of 2155 Honda refused help, Finally by jpettibone

May 22, 2009 (9:51 am)

I can't say I was surprised, but Honda finally closed our case today and decided that there was nothing they could do for us. If you get to 80,000 + miles, Honda feels that you've gotten fair value out of the A/C system and would like you to invest $3800 for the next 5 years of use. We owned two new hondas (both EX models) and did all our service for both of them at the dealer. I may not bleed Honda, but we should have been valuable customers. I am also very upset that this case took almost a full month to decide. I guess I can't say I'll never buy another Honda, but I also was not willing to bite the bullet on this car from brand loyalty alone. Avoiding this kind of situation was one of my main reasons for buying a Honda in the first place, so why stick with the brand? And I don't want anyone telling me that at least they listened. Listening that ends in nothing is still nothing, especially when it takes a month to deliver that nothing.
 
Good luck to the rest of you, but it looks like Honda is going to be of decreasing help to you from here on out.
 
BTW, we really like our new Highlander.

#1106 of 2155 My compressor went out TOO!! by bajones08

May 26, 2009 (3:35 pm)

My compressor went out in my 2003 CR-V on Sunday, May 24,2009, my parents 50th wedding anniversary, going to the house from church in Alabama.(the humidity was in full effect) There was a noise then there was hot air coming from the A/C. My daddy check it out took it to a few places came back said it was the compressor. Needless to say this made for a long long trip back to North Carolina on Monday.
 
I took my truck to my go-to-guy and he expressed that it was in fact my compressor. $1800 to repair ...did not want to hear that considering that I am not working due to my position being eliminated back in February. Fun!! Fun!!
 
I only wished that I had found this forum before I purchased my truck but over all it has been great and it has 83,000 miles. Go figure complaints on the compressor. I wanted a truck and it was a Honda figured it was for me. This is my second Honda...I previously had an Accord EX Coupe put close to 160,000 ...therefore getting another Honda was not even a question.
 
It would seem that Honda would have a recall to offer some relief to its customers who come back and even those who may say they will never go back. I realize that times are ruff but we ALL are experiencing it therefore Honda should help those who whether covered under warrantee or not when they see that there is an apparent problem with the compressors in the 2001-2005 CR-V's. It is sad when a dealership keep the compressors in stock waiting on that next CR-V to pull in for the repair service.
 
American Honda you need to do better for your loyal Honda car owners.

#1107 of 2155 2003 CR-V A/C Died Today (May 26, 2009) by w7ox

May 26, 2009 (6:07 pm)

Thanks for all the posts on this topic.
 
Our A/C died while driving across N AZ this afternoon (2003 CR-V, 78,000 mi). We heard some odd sounds we thought were the wind 60 or so miles earlier in NMex, but I suspect now it was the prelude to failure. At failure we heard a sort of hiss then a loud clunk, like a rock hitting the bottom of the car. We pulled over, looked and saw nothing -- so we drove on. Perhaps 5 min later we noticed no cool air.
 
Plan A was to stop in Flagstaff in the morning and have them diagnose the problem. But given the car is otherwise normal -- and I don't want to do a major repair very far from home (home is Torrance, CA and I do know folks at American Honda Motors) we will likely blow off the Flagstaff stop and trudge our way across the Mojave desert at night (since it is now 100 deg in the afternoon).
 
But Plan B does include checking to see if a belt has gone south: Seems unlikely, after reading about this problem here.
 
Phil

#1108 of 2155 Re: 2003 CR-V A/C Died Today (May 26, 2009) [w7ox] by w7ox

May 26, 2009 (6:31 pm)

Replying to: w7ox (May 26, 2009 6:07 pm)
Follow up:
 
No belts missing so far as I can see. But both fans are still (though warmed up temp gauge is at about 40% as always).
 
Sounds like the compressor has gone.
 
Phil

#1109 of 2155 Re: My compressor went out TOO!! [bajones08] by madams1

May 27, 2009 (10:53 am)

Replying to: bajones08 (May 26, 2009 3:35 pm)
Sorry yours went out. Was the 1,800.00 from the local guy just for replacing the compressor or was it for more work? The reason I ask, is I have already asked my guy that works on my 2003 CRV (87,000 miles)and he estimated 1,100.00 for the compressor only with labor. BTW, he sees about 3 CRV's each summer for compressor replacements, but he has not seen one yet that exploded, causing major damage. You may want to try to open a case with Honda, but from what I can tell, they are rejecting a lot of folks lately.
 
My take on this is I do not mind paying for a new compressor, but if the compressor indeed does explode causing more damage, then I do not feel that we should have to pay for the damage done by an exploding compressor.

#1110 of 2155 Another possible cause by blueiedgod

May 27, 2009 (12:25 pm)

As the warmer weather finally arrived into Buffalo, I had to use the A/C, and noticed that it was not as "cold" as before. Temprature out of the "face" vent was about 45-50°F instead of 38°F, as per the shop manual.
 
I checked the "low" side while the compressor was running, and it was at 18 psi. I added some PAG oil and R134 with dye up to 25 psi. The thermocouple now reads 38°F before compressor cycles off. The pressure gauge reads about 45 psi on the "low" side when compressor is off.
 
It is possible that failures have been caused by the lack of lubrication, either from the owners not "excercising" their systems during winter, or because some of the oil has leaked out. Compressors don't just explode, there has to be an underlying cause. Lack of lubrication is my first suspect.

#1111 of 2155 Re: Another possible cause [blueiedgod] by jpettibone

May 27, 2009 (2:03 pm)

Replying to: blueiedgod (May 27, 2009 12:25 pm)
Except in your case, your AC system was working at both temperatures, but not as well before adding lubrication. Very few of the cases described here complained about less cold air from a functioning AC compressor. The idea that enough oil would leak out due to negligence from the owner to cause the implosion of the compressor is not parsimonious given how these units operate in most cars. If this were true, other makes, models, and years would suffer a similar AC failure rate. The majority of owners are told that the AC compressor was punctured in some way- I don't think that's in doubt. The questions are A) is honda responsible for the puncture due to the placement of the compressor and B) could the compressor have been designed to handle a loss of compression more gracefully than to take the rest of the AC system with it. Given the changes made to the CR-V in the '06 model years and further, that evidence at least supports (but does not prove) the hypothesis that engineering contributed to the problem.
 
Even your own data suggests that AC failures are elevated in the '02 to '05 CRV models made in Japan. Would you suggest that Honda managed to attract particularly negligent owners for just those years of just that model? Or was fate unkind to Honda and randomly distributed a greater percentage of bum owners to them right then?
 
Your continuing effort to blame the owner is not supported by the data.

Messages Page 112 of 217

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