Clarity A/C problem (and warranty extension on pg 10)

Discussion in 'Clarity' started by Benoit Paquette, Jul 25, 2019.

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  1. Hi,

    Anybody had problems with the ventilation and A/C not working on hot days? When it's around 84 F outside, the ventilation is not working at all and then it starts working after 5-10min but still no A/C. It took 15min to actually get the A/C working. The temperature on the dashboard seems to always be wrong by 8-10F compare to the outside temperature. Next Monday, the dealer will take a look. Not sure I made the right move to buy this car.
     
    sabasc likes this.
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  3. JCA

    JCA Active Member

    Does it work in manual mode? Try this if you haven't:

    - Use fan speed buttons to get the Auto light to turn off and to select a desired fan speed
    - Turn the driver's temperature knob until Lo is displayed
    - Press Sync on the passenger's temperature knob if not already synced (Lo on both sides)
    - Press the Climate button
    - On the screen, set AC to on, and air to coming out of the upper vents

    That will rule out fan or AC compressor issues vs a problem with the internal or external temperature sensors or the Auto fan control (and if it works, make you cool until addressed :)
     
  4. Robert_Alabama

    Robert_Alabama Well-Known Member

    Hopefully @JCA 's advice will help. If not, the dealer should be able to trouble shoot. The A/C on mine will pretty much run you out of the car if you turn it on maximum, so they should be able to get your's working to your satisfaction. Don't give up on the car yet.
     
  5. insightman

    insightman Well-Known Member Subscriber

    I picked up our Clarity today after the dealer replaced the undamaged, but leaky, air-conditioner condenser. When the hot weather hit a week ago, we had NO air-conditioning--that made one of our two gas-guzzling Insights the car of choice. The dealer ran a dye test and it showed the leak in the condenser. It took 3 days to get a replacement condenser from California to Michigan--it arrived just as the weather cooled down. Now our Clarity is great again.
     
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  6. KentuckyKen

    KentuckyKen Well-Known Member

    The Clarity made your wonderfully economical and ahead of their time Insights look like “gas guzzlers”.
    One of the best compliments I’ve ever heard for our Claritys.
    Glad you got your cool back.
     
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  8. Groves Cooke

    Groves Cooke Active Member

    I would give the heating and cooling system in my Clarity a 10 out of 10. Your dealer should be able to correct the problem.
     
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  9. PHEV Newbie

    PHEV Newbie Well-Known Member

    We had the same problem. The dealer claimed that the condenser was damaged so I asked to see it. I didn't see any damage but they charged me almost $1500 anyway for the repair/diagnostic because they said this is not covered by warranty. Was yours covered by warranty?
     
  10. When the A/C finally starts working after 15min driving, it's working really well. That's why I suspect a sensor or electronic defect. Does the temperature indicated in your dashboard is accurate? Mine is always 8-10F higher
     
  11. JCA

    JCA Active Member

    If you mean the outside temperature that shows on the instrument panel, mine is sometimes several degrees higher than what the weather report is saying, especially after being parked -- most likely because the air temp under the car with heat rising off the pavement really is that hot. I believe there's a way to adjust that, but I don't think it's really related to your AC issues, which should be using an inside temperature (that we don't get to see).

    Can you confirm what mode you're using (is the Auto light on the driver's knob on, what do you have the temperature set to, etc)? There certainly could be a real AC system or sensor problem, which is why I'm suggesting you try using "manual" mode to turn on the AC on the climate scren to determine which.
     
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  13. Yes the temperature on the instrument panel is way off. But your explanation really makes sense. As I drive, the temperature slowly reverse toward the actual outside temperature.

    Yes I'm using the manual mode not the AUTO one. There's no ventilation whatsoever. That why I suspect the internal temperature sensor or computer problem.
     
  14. petteyg359

    petteyg359 Well-Known Member

    It serves as a nice reminder of how hot cars get when parked in the sun, though, and to not lock up a pet or kid in said car. I came out from work a couple days ago, and when I turned the car on it was showing 130°. Especially since that outside temperature sensor actually has at least a little bit of airflow compared to the inside of the car which is a sealed greenhouse.
     
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2019
  15. 2002

    2002 Well-Known Member

    There is a way to see inside temperature although it's not very convenient and also cannot be used when driving. It's by turning on climate using the app. The app will then show the inside temperature. However it doesn't update, the only way to get a current temperature is to turn climate off with the app then turn it back on again. Although inconvenient it may be a way for them to check the theory that the internal temperature is wrong, although there are multiple temperature sensors and the app may not be using the same one that the AC system does.
     
  16. 4sallypat

    4sallypat Active Member

    So Calif hot weather here for the past weeks have been over 100 degrees.
    A/C works wonderfully!

    Just remember to turn it off before you park it about 10 minutes away because if you don't that funky, sour smell of mildew will grow in your vents...
     
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  17. 2002

    2002 Well-Known Member

    If you are going to do that you should (and will want to) run the fan at full speed without AC but that requires jumping through several hoops to do so, probably more than should be done while driving. Which is too bad because I used to do exactly what you do in my previous car but not ten minutes away :eek: more like the last mile or so, although that's not nearly as effective as starting ten minutes out. Turning AC off one mile out the cabin would just start getting hot by the time I arrived, due to speeds I wouldn't be able to roll the windows down until the last quarter mile anyway so I just left them up as the fan did about the same thing.
     
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2019
  18. fotomoto

    fotomoto Active Member

    Do you by chance have a dash pad or something else possibly covering the dash sensor?
     
  19. stockae92

    stockae92 New Member

    1 mile out? My family would complain even if its 1 min out ... LOL
     
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  20. insightman

    insightman Well-Known Member Subscriber

    Our repair was 100% covered by warranty--and we got a free car wash, too. It's outrageous the dealer would charge you for replacing a clearly undamaged part that's absolutely covered under the warranty. I would have demanded to have the broken condenser examined by another shop and complained to Honda (not that I'm confident Honda would do anything).
     
  21. PHEV Newbie

    PHEV Newbie Well-Known Member

    Thanks for your answer. I'll take it to an A/C specialist to inspect it (they left the old part in my trunk as per my request) and see what they say (I know this will cost some $ but it'll be worth it). I suspect I need independent evidence before any action is taken by my dealer. It is ridiculous that they don't consider this a warranty fix since they will be paid by Honda. They might make a bit more from me but that shouldn't be worth losing a lifelong customer by the dealer and the Honda brand.
     
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  22. Danks

    Danks Active Member

    I see that insightman said his was covered under warranty. You might want to go to the Honda site, contact customer service and see about filing a warranty claim. They should reimburse you the same as the would for a repair done at a non-dealer shop.
     
    insightman likes this.
  23. Walt R

    Walt R Active Member

    As I read this thread I was thinking a blockage in the air intake is also a possibility. Never know what critters may have been up to at your home or on the dealer's lot before it was sold to you.
     

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