POLL: Clarity air conditioning output not cool

Has your Clarity ever not produced cooled air with the AC on? (select all that apply)

  • Total voters
    66
sabasc

sabasc

Member
Hi EVeryone,
Our 2018 Clarity Touring joins the ranks with apparently failed air conditioning. 40+ K miles.
I'm going to continue reading threads here to form a plan of action.

Honda is covering AC defect quite well in this NHTSA bulletin:
Civic 10 years / unlimited miles ALL trim levels
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10163796-0001.pdf

It seems only fair that our cars should get equal or better treatment!

I think it would be helpful to collect summaries in replies below. I'll put the first one for our car, defect details TBD.
 
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sabasc said:
2018 Clarity Touring - defect details TBD
Click to expand...
2021 May 2 UPDATE:
My AC failure looks to be due to a non-damage refrigerant leak due to a leaky condenser:

AC-refrigerant-2.6-PSI.webp AC-refrigerant-2.6-PSI.webp

1. No signs of damage to tubes, minor flattening of some fins.
2. The driver's side end of the condenser is significantly darker than the rest of the fins in the area.
3. The refrigerant includes an oil.
4. Oil attracts dirt.

Here's 1 of 6 images I took starting at the driver's side end of the fins, and working towards the passenger's side to illustrate the driver's side end is the only dirty looking section.

index.php


The rest of the images are here.
I plan to contact my local Honda dealer tomorrow to review my (layperson's) diagnosis.
 
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Although I plan to pursue a warranty repair, if I end up abandoning that avenue, does this offering from Pacific Best look like a valid aftermarket part?

Interesting to find that the following OEM part has been discontinued? How? No more AC repairs??
https://www.hondafactoryparts.com/oem-parts/honda-condenser-80110trwa01

A retail outlet for Pacific Best, CarID mentions guaranteeing fitment.
https://www.carid.com/pacific-best/a-c-condenser-mpn-pc30151.html?singleid=3857654155

(12 month warranty)

Pacific Best® - A/C Condenser
Item # mpn4751385381

Pacific Best® - FAQPacific Best®
$130.97
In Stock (6) - Get it by May 6 - 11

2018 Honda Clarity
Fits Following Model(s):
Plug-In Hybrid
Replaces Original (OE) Part #:
80110TRWA01, HO3030172
 
This is the first Clarity PHEV-specific aftermarket part I've seen. I wondered if there would be enough A/C condenser failures for someone to make a replacement part for the limited-production Clarity PHEV and you have found it. There isn't even an aftermarket windshield for this car AFAIK.
 
insightman said:
This is the first Clarity PHEV-specific aftermarket part I've seen
Click to expand...
This would be great, and I hope it starts a trend... I will remain skeptical for now.

There was an example reported here some time ago (I think it may have been a trailer hitch). It looked like they were selling one for the Clarity. There was a fancy web page with a price, a shopping cart, etc. But it turned out that the company hadn't made anything and was fishing for interest.

A condenser that is officially reported by Honda as discontinued (and now an aftermarket part shows up) may be different... Perhaps Honda worked with this supplier in order to maintain part continuity. Maybe @sabasc will actually have an "opportunity" to test this one.
 
I have an appointment next Tuesday for a diagnosis, specifically asked for no repair until I review the diagnosis.
There is another 2018 Clarity (not sure if it's Touring or Base) in the same dealer's service department for a replacement condenser from road debris damage. That customer was quoted $2K parts and labor to replace it. I forgot to ask the senior service advisor about the discontinued condenser I mentioned above. I'll ask on Tuesday.
 
2018 Clarity with 32k miles. The air conditioning failed. The dealer identified as a condenser leak and it will be fixed under warranty. Thanks for those on this forum that posted this was a frequent issue as I mentioned it to then when I brought in the car. I will update if the situation changes.
 
jray19 said:
2018 Clarity with 32k miles. The air conditioning failed. The dealer identified as a condenser leak and it will be fixed under warranty. Thanks for those on this forum that posted this was a frequent issue as I mentioned it to then when I brought in the car. I will update if the situation changes.
Click to expand...
- Update from the repair - fixed under warranty Description of service
Corrected by (06001) (07404) Condenser Assembly Replace
Corrected by A/C System (R-1234YF) Evacuate and Recharge
Corrected by Leak test add
Installed R1234A : REFRIG QTY 2
Installed 80110-TRW-A02 :CONDENSER QTY 1
Installed 80872-SN7-003 :O-RING (1/2") QTY 1
Installed 80873-ST7-000 :O-RING (8MM) QTY 1
Installed 38899-5WM-013 :OIL (SE-A2) QTY 1
Installed R1234YF :REFRIGERANT 087990003 QTY 445
Charge $0.00
Believe I saw the dealer sheet that was about $1050
 
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Wonder what the difference is for the new *A02 vs A01?

Has anyone tried the aftermarket one suggested above yet?

Sitting at dealer now for diagnostic... we'll see what they find and propose as a solution... Either way I'm thinking an extended warranty is probably a good idea though I normally despise them (and the screen I've seen referenced)
 
+1 for Condenser leak/failure. 2019 Canadian Base Model, with only 22,000 Km
Repaired today under warranty ($0) with the following parts:
- 80110-TRW-A01 (CONDENSER)
- TP9811 (DYE R1234)
- OPTEO-N12-34YF (FREON 1234YF)
- 80872-SN7-003 (JOINT 1MM/2)
- 80873-ST7-000 (JOINT 8MM)
Cost for parts only was shown at $1,181.11 CAD. Photo below for those interested in what the leak looked like.
20210528_152919_resized.webp
 
insightman said:
This is the first Clarity PHEV-specific aftermarket part I've seen. I wondered if there would be enough A/C condenser failures for someone to make a replacement part for the limited-production Clarity PHEV and you have found it. There isn't even an aftermarket windshield for this car AFAIK.
Click to expand...
Or maybe someone at the vendor just noticed that an existing condenser from some other car would fit and added it under Honda Clarity.
 
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