Ask the Car People.SM


Honda Pilot noise from center console when braking

10 messages,  Last post on Sep 14, 2011 at 8:35 PM

You are in the Honda Pilot Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Pilot, Auto Repair, SUV

    

Messages Page 1 of 1

  • All Messages Displayed

#1 of 10 Pilot noise from center console when braking by trickstarjimmy

Sep 30, 2007 (12:21 pm)

Hi! We have a 2005 Honda Pilot, and when braking, there is a variable high frequency pitched noise emitted from the center console/a/c vent areas. It only occurs when the a/c is turned on. The noise is intensified when turning on the rear manual a/c control. When turning off the air conditioner, the sound does not occur. This seems like it might be related to the resistor failure or the rear a/c transistor block failure described elsewhere. Are there any more specific TSB files that address this? Thankfully, we're still under warranty, but, magically, it seems that we can't replicate the noise when going to the dealership. I'm just looking for information to pass along to the service personnel. Thanks for any help! Jimmy

#2 of 10 Pilot brakes by pareo

Feb 06, 2008 (3:09 pm)

We have a 2004 pilot. For sometime now there is a resistance in the brakes, especially when descending a slight incline. Any one experienced this before? Unfortunately, our mechanics cannot experience this on inspection. can be very frightening. It does not matter what weather condition there is.

#3 of 10 Re: Pilot noise from center console when braking [trickstarjimmy] by dustink

Aug 20, 2008 (6:29 am)

Replying to: trickstarjimmy (Sep 30, 2007 12:21 pm)
I recently had this same problem. When I used the brake there was a very loud noise (squeaking) coming from the center console area. There was also a noticeable sloshing of water sound coming from the center console area. It would go away as soon as I turned off the A/C. I took it into a Firestone Auto and they did a complete check on my A/C system and said it was fine. They thought it was something up in my dash but said I would pay a lot of money in labor for someone to take it apart and dig around in there to find the problem. Luckily for me, someone had posted a similar experience on another website and said they fixed the problem. Long story short...there is a rear A/C fan motor in the center console and the condensation drain pipe on the was clogged. Underneath the vehicle, between the front row seats, above the transaxle rod, there is a black 2 inch rubber nipple. I had to stick a screwdriver up there and unclog it. I had about a quart of water coming pouring out of there. After that I took the plastic off the driver side of the center console and cleaned the filter for the AC fan motor. I'm not sure how it was getting any air because it was extremely filthy. After cleaning the filter and unclogging the condensation drain pipe I haven't heard the squeaking or the sloshing sound. Hopefully this helps. I was glad it was an easy DIY project and was free!

#4 of 10 Re: Pilot noise from center console when braking [trickstarjimmy] by cthorp

Feb 20, 2009 (10:49 am)

Replying to: trickstarjimmy (Sep 30, 2007 12:21 pm)
We had the same problem. It turned out to be the tensioner on the serpentine belt. I believe when you turn off the air it just blocks the sound. It wasn't related to the AC at all. Yet when I was braking and it made the sound I could turn off the air and it would stop immediately. So for the longest time I thought it was the AC. No if I can just figure out the water sound from the center console.

#5 of 10 Re: Pilot noise from center console when braking [dustink] by mpthompson

Sep 02, 2009 (2:10 pm)

Replying to: dustink (Aug 20, 2008 6:29 am)
Wonderful advice. I was getting the exact same symptoms in my 2004 Honda Pilot -- a loud squealing noise when braking and the faint sound of water sloshing in the center console. I thought it had something to do with the main cabin fan and was looking into taking apart the whole center console to get at it. Instead, I came across the suggestion above by trickstarjimmy and it took me all of 3 minutes to fix the problem. Just as he described the 2 inch rubber nipple over the drain to the rear A/C fan was clogged and was easily unclogged with a small screw driver. About a quart of accumulated water drained from the fan. I would have never guessed the nature of the problem if I hadn't tripped across the suggestion above. The noise is now gone and I couldn't be happier.

#6 of 10 Re: Pilot noise from center console when braking [dustink] by clark_l

Apr 13, 2010 (1:17 pm)

Replying to: dustink (Aug 20, 2008 6:29 am)
I have been having the same noise -- a squealing kind of sound coming from the center of my 2005 Pilot when braking. When it first started getting bad, I took it to Firestone to have the brakes checked/serviced and they found some issues with my rear brakes and fixed them. I had also asked them to check out a water sound that almost sounded like a small trickle of water into a pot that I could hear when the A/C was running. They dismissed that sound as normal A/C noise.
 
I've been back to them twice over the last 4-5 months to redo the brake work because the sound has not gone away. Today, they told me they needed to replace the rear A/C motor or resistor and it would be about $500.
 
I came home, got on Google, and found your post! It took me a few minutes to find it because I don't spend much time up under my car, but I cleaned out the rubber nipple (it had a bunch of 'glop' up in it) and a lot of water came pouring out.
 
I'd really like to clean the motor filter as you mentioned, but I don't know how to remove the plastic off the console. Could you provide any instructions as to how to do that so I could avoid breaking something? Also, once the plastic is off, is it fairly obvious where the filter is?
 
Thank you -- I haven't had a chance to drive my Pilot much yet, but here's hoping you saved me about $600!
 
Thank you!
 
- ClarkL

#7 of 10 Re: Pilot noise from center console when braking [dustink] by aliceincarland

Jul 11, 2010 (9:44 am)

Replying to: dustink (Aug 20, 2008 6:29 am)
One of the most helpful tips I've ever found on the internet!!! Thank you!! The water drained exactly as described:) Would also like to know how to get to the referenced filter...I can't find a single place to remove a screw on the center console to get to it!! I also get the brake resistance that someone else mentioned, and have had the brakes fully serviced. It is a bit odd. Have also noticed that slight acceleration from a 25-30mph speed causes a significant shudder from the rear of the vehicle. Honda can't seem to find anything wrong (of course, they didn't have a clue on the console noise, either;)) Anyone else?

#8 of 10 Re: Pilot noise from center console when braking [dustink] by christie9

Aug 07, 2011 (10:42 am)

Replying to: dustink (Aug 20, 2008 6:29 am)
THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR POST OF 8/20/08! With your post, I (a woman who has never been underneath the hood of any car in my whole life) was able to fix the same problem within 5 minutes and saved hundreds of dollars if I were to bring my 2004 Pilot to the dealer. Just like you wrote, I jacked up the car, slipped underneath it and found the 2" black nipple and unplugged it within minutes. I also opened up the plastic on the driver's side of the center console and cleaned the air filter (it was completely covered with grayish dirt) and since then the rear a/c is much cooler. I want to thank you again for your great help!

#9 of 10 2004 honda pilot rear ac not blowing air by babykari29

Aug 29, 2011 (5:48 pm)

Omg, I see lots of people having the same problems, I called honda and they wanted at least $200 to hook it up and see what's going on... that's not even labor and parts if need, I'm going to clean filter and read blogs to fixs all my poblems. I'm a girl don't like going to shops and people who will lie to me and charge hella money for something I can learn to do...I just had it look at and he didn't no too...my husband takes forever to fix anything...lol...I will get on this....thanks for info...love, kari

#10 of 10 Re: Pilot noise from center console when braking [dustink] by zaldeeee

Sep 14, 2011 (8:35 pm)

Replying to: dustink (Aug 20, 2008 6:29 am)
Unbelievable. I did exactly what was suggested and it was like magic. No noise. I appreciate the advice.">

Messages Page 1 of 1

  • All Messages Displayed
To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement