My wife has a 2017 CR-V with the "Color Audio System" (see photo) and having trouble with the A/C. We have to turn it down to very low temperatures for it to start blowing any cold air(like 58 degrees F). Any idea how do I do an AC self-test? I google around and all I can see is how to do it with the "Display Audio", not the one we have.

 

After reading your post and all of the replies, I just have to add my two cents.
It seems Honda, unlike most other manufacturers, doesn't understand the concept of "auto". This is the only vehicle I've driven that doesn't properly adjust the fan speed when in the Auto mode. The only way to get the fan to go to Max setting is to set the climate control temp to Lo in Auto mode, or adjust the fan speed manually. When the cabin interior temp is blazing hot and you set the climate control temp to anything other than Lo, the fan speed defaults to medium. The air temp is cold, but the volume of air is grossly inadequate to cool the cabin down. Turns out it's a great way to hit owners with a diagnostic charge for a known design flaw with their software.

 

I've only had the car about 5 days, the A/C seems very weak to me and it is not even real hot here (70s). I have to take it off auto and turn it down a lot and fan up to get it to feel like it is cooling a decent amount. Is this normal on the CR-V?

 

My experience is that it is definitely adequate and works well on Auto in virtually all conditions. Just keep in mind it a big (volume) space you are conditioning. Also, don't get hung up on the numeric value of the temperature setting. Turn it to whatever temperature achieves the desired level of comfort. If you need to set it at 64, but 64 “sounds cold”, don’t sweat it 😂.

 

Auto is just that, automatic. If the inside of the car is already at or near the setpoint, it won’t cool very much.

 

This is an excellent observation. Some folks (myself included) like the feel of COLD air hitting my face (in hot weather), even if the cabin is at or near the set point. The air temperature from the vent can be lower when NOT in auto mode when it is set to LO. It is often mentioned here that the best way to use the Climate Control system is to set it to Auto mode. The best way to get COLD air from the vents is to set it to LO manual. It will not get any colder than this in AUTO mode.

In addition to what @sirwired so correctly mentioned, as the cabin temperature approaches the setpoint (using AUTO mode) the temperature of the air from the vents will warm. Some people will think that their AC is not getting cold enough, or doesn't work well when using AUTO mode if they prefer cold air from the vents at all times. I believe this is true with all auto brands these days.

 

Is Eco Mode off? The Eco mode has a negative effect on the AC.

I had a 2015 Honda Accord and when I 1st used the AC I thought I had a problem as it did not work well. The problem is that the Eco mode was on.

 

Yes, ECO is off, so far only turned on ECO a couple times to check it out.

 

A little trick I learned when we first purchased a Honda 30 years ago.

With closed windows, your interior air temp is always going to be higher than the outside air temperature. Outside temp - 70, inside temp - 100. Easier cooling 70 air than 100 air.

Several things to do. 1.] Keep heat outside the vehicle. Use whatever shade you can find. 2.] If you haven't done so, get ceramic window tinting. 3.]. If possible, for the first 1/4-1/2 mile drive with your windows down & air recirculation turned off. That distance should be enough to "flush" out all the hot interior air.

Just a little tale here. Always thought that a black interior looked really "cool" ["get off my lawn" moment here]. Learned the hard way why there were so many to choose from at the dealership when we got home. My better half added that to the trove of "manly mistakes" I've accumulated!

BTW, not too sure how those who had chrome-ball shift knobs ever got through the summer without burning their hands.

 

Thanks all, was seeing if it was just me or all of these are weak. I may make an appointment with Service just to have them check it, though they will probably come back with "Everything is working as it should"...

 

I'd ask the dealer to investigate (of course, since the car is under warranty).

I've seen 'professional' shops under-charge refrigerant when doing service work....perhaps the factory did too? They should put their gauges on the A/C system and measure pressures.

 

Mine really stopped working a few years in. An independent Repair guy checked it. Could not notice a leak but said it was low. 13 months on and it still works well, which it did not when I purchased it.

 

You didn't complete your profile, so I don't know if you are talking about a Hybrid or a 1.5T (hint, hint).
If it's a Hybrid, make sure you are not in ECON mode, that limits A/C performance.

 

A/C threads merged.

 

Just an FYI on the AC issues we had in our 2020 EXL. Noticed, during the last couple warm spells we've had, that our AC wasn't cooling. Tried auto, manual, recirculate, etc. with nothing working. Made an appt. with the local Honda dealer for today.

Turned out to be the pressure switch wiring near the compressor that was worn thru according to the service mgr. Sounds like they just repaired the wiring by cutting the bad section out. I had read about this in earlier G5 models and had hoped it was corrected by 2020. Apparently not. He said they've seen it before but was pretty rare and is a bad design by Honda.

Sad part is the car was dropped off at the scheduled time of 10AM and they didn't even look at it till 2PM and finished by 4PM.

Ironic that we got the AC repaired just in time for a rare snow storm dumping a predicted 4" on us tonight!

 

We experienced a second a/c failure. They called it a suction line leak. They replaced the suction line and recharged the system. The extended warranty has paid for itself a few times over.

 

Three years in a row now I've powered up my 2017 CR-V Touring's AC for the first time in the spring/summer season as the weather gets hot and find it is just blowing warm air. I purchased it CPO, but that has since expired. It's always something about the discharge/suction hose, and while the first two times were free, this year I got sacked for $1,400 to get the AC back in working condition, again with the full dye/leak test and replacing the hoses. I've tried contacting Honda to find out what recourse I have if the AC keeps breaking, and what (if anything) I can do if the dealerships (now 3) don't stand by their previous repair. Still awaiting a reply for my case. Any tips from those in similar situations would be appreciated.

 

The only tip I have is to stay calm and collected. The old saying applies, "You get more with honey than vinegar"

PLEASE keep us posted, and good luck!

 

I've also had problems with the A/C not cooling in my 2017 CR-V EX. After a recharge in 2020 it became clear in 2021 that again the A/C is not really cooling. There has obviously been a (slow) leak. Finally, the (independent) shop was able to find the leak(s) and replaced the compressor at a substantial cost.
After reading about a quite significant amount of 5th generation CR-V owners having similar A/C issue, I feel this is not fair asking owner to bear the full repair cost.
What is the best strategy to ask Honda to at least pay for a part of it?

 

I contacted Honda, provided invoices and was hoping for some good will. Honda didn't budge
Since I didn't go to an authorized Honda dealer, there was nothing they could do.
I will rethink another Honda purchase in the future.

 

If you call Honda Customer Service, they MAY give you some money off on the repair.

Sometimes it is only a discount on the parts, not the dealer's labor cost.

As @JB in AZ said, be civil and courteous.

 

2018 cry awd 1.5T ac went out 11,000 miles dealer replaces leaking line.(11-27-21)
Due to covid and not driving much only put 3,800 more miles ac now blows hot
back to dealer now its a leaking compressor (5-2-22) out of warranty 3 months $1800 repair
no give from dealer. car has total of 14,000 miles driven normal.
Sour taste no longer feel cry is going to live up to expectations.
Car is now at a trustworthy independent honda repair shop being repaired with 1 year parts and labor
for 1,275.00.
Makes me miss our 2003 Toyota echo with 240,000 miles and zero major repairs and yes ac blew cold
for all those miles.We live in the desert so ac is a must.
Life is to short so will not waste time fighting honda over this,

 

Life is to short so will not waste time fighting honda over this,

So by the same metric, you shouldnt be complaining then either 🙄🤷‍♂️

 

A probably dumb question, but on my 2022 EX, is there really a toggle switch to turn 'on' the A/C? It seems to me that the A/C turns-on by turning down the temp setting, and off by turning up the temp setting, but not toggle switch like I'm used to from all previous cars.

 

If you are running in auto mode, a/c comes on as needed. You can manually turn it off in the menu. Reference the manual, lots of info in there on settings.

 

Just had to have compressor replaced on my 2018 with around 32,000 miles on it. For the most part I have been really pleased with my car but started noticing last year the ac did not seem to be working as well. Now that it started getting hot it was definitely not cooling that great and the fan just seemed weak. Also was making a real high pitched noise when fan was put to high, that just started recently. Took in to the dealer and they said they had to replace the compressor, blower motor and clutch. The notes say the noise was coming from the blower motor and that freon was leaking from the compressor. Thankfully had warranty through the dealership and that covered the 1900 dollar repair. Won’t lie I am concerned with this possibly happening again and kind of wished I had gotten the long Honda care warranty. I am at least covered until 2025 so there is that. Anyhow still really like my car and hoping the ac lasts for a long time!

 

You are making me feel better to have paid into a 10 warrantee on my 2022. I really love my CRV.

 

Wow, A different warranty world in the US vs Canada, and your warranty costs are much lower down there!
Longest Honda warranty for us in Canada is 8 yr/ 200,000 km (124,000 miles) for $3428.00. For a lower mileage driver you can get 7 yr/130,000 km for $2168. (80,000 miles) but I know there are many on this site who do not drive near that amount. I fall into the higher range and may even exceed 200,000 km in the 8 years on the CRV. I have not heard of anyone here being able to negotiate a lower price unless it was done during the actual purchase of the car.. For me, it just not worth the extra cost. Once off my 3 year warranty I will use my mechanic for much of the required maintenance and work. Even an AC compressor replacement would cost half of what Honda charges.

 

Yeah I hear ya, it really is something that you have to weigh cost wise. My warranty was baked into the car buying process and they enticed me by saying I would get a lower interest rate if I bought the warranty. IIRC it was around 1,000 so just payed for itself. Unfortunately I have not found any decent mechanics around here. For some reason around here finding any good tradesmen is tough. There are just tons of shady hacks out here.

 

I lucked out on my guy. His kids are very close to my sons kids and my son takes his vehicles to him, that is how I found about him several years back and he is super honest. Also employs an ex-Acura mechanic. They spent 3 hours yesterday flushing and reflushing my Acura’s brake fluid and then completely disassembled calipers and entire brake system, took the components to a wire brush on a lathe and cleaned them right up. Charged me 2.5 hour labour, nothing for the brake fluid or lube. Can’t believe Honda would come close to that type of thoroughness at any price but I agree that a good and reliable mechanic is very difficult to find.

 

Hi - I've tried several different types of A/C recharge bottles and brands, and none of them seem to fit over the lip at the bottom edge of the freon port. Is this a common issue that requires an adapter/professional or is this more likely a malformation? It doesn't look damaged in any way, it's just too big.

 

There was an earlier post on here that it is a different size. Try a search in the forum.

 

Check the sticker under your hood to insure you are trying to put in the proper spec refrigerant.

 

Your A/C is charged with R-1234YF, is that what you are using?

 

well, A/C was weak to null today. made appt at dealer. sad since 86F today in FL. less than 41,000 on my 2018.