Topic: Deactivating AC compressor when Defrost is selected in winter/HONDAS

[articsteve]

I read Zoo was complaining about his Civic's AC always on in DEFROST MODE.

To deactivate try this:

1) Turn the ignition switch "on," but dont start the car.
2) Turn fan speed off.
3) Turn temperature knob all the way to the left (blue area).
4) Turn vent knob to all the way to the left (panel position).
5) Turn the ignitions switch "off."
6) Hold down both air recirculation button and a/c button while turning the ignition switch "on." Nothing lights up initially, keep waiting. The orange air recirculation indicator on the button will start flashing.
7) Continue holding both buttons until the orange air recirculation indicator stops flashing, then let go.

To reactivate automatic a/c feature :

1) Turn vehicle off.
2) Turn fan knob off.
3) Turn temperature knob all the way to the left (blue area).
4) Turn vent knob all the way to the right (defrost position).
5) Hold down both air recirculation button and a/c button while starting car.
6) Continue holding for 7 seconds until air recirculation button stops flashing.
7) After the 7 seconds described in step 6, the recirculation button will start to flash. Continue to hold the button for another 7 seconds. After this, the a/c light will turn to green and it's finished!

[yugrus]

Wow. On my car it is pretty much hard-wired... I'd love to be able to re-program the thing like that!

[Spiderman]

I don't see why you'd wanna deactivate it..  it works wonders for taking the dampness out of the interior (and defrosts the windows much quicker)

[yugrus]

I don't see why you'd wanna deactivate it..

To stay in control? Too much driver's babysitting?
Sometimes it is enough to blow just warm air to the windshield and there's no need for A/C activation...

[barrie1]

The problem with this is that you want to run the air compressor in the winter as much as you can. You may think its a waste until the compressor pukes out on you. Bring lots of money when that happens. The best way to get a long life out of any compressor is to use it as much as possible especially during the winter. It can add years on to the life of this appliance by useing it. It keeps the heavy oil up top with the bearings where it is needed. 

[yugrus]

It keeps the heavy oil up top with the bearings where it is needed. 

That's what I keep hearing, and I take it because I'm not A/C compressor specialist at all. My question may be as stupid as it sounds, but what is the drawback of not lubricating parts that don't move? Does periodic winter A/C usage leave some residual lubrication in compressor bearings? In other words, does the oil in A/C agent stick to the parts as the motor oil does in engines, so you don't have completely dry start in the morning?
Or is it important for internal rust prevention?

[barrie1]

Yes thats actually it as it dosen't take long for the problems to start. A few Spring startups with no oil up top is more then enough to do severe damage to the whole unit. Its the only way to get a long life out of it is by useing it as often as possible. Its a very heavy oil which has to be kept circulating as much as possible so that you don't do any damage. The older cars I used to run this every week for at least 5 minutes even in the coldest of weather. Got 14 years out of my 1st compressor on my 1984 Seville this way. 

[si]

... it's just annoying every single time you try to start the car in the cold weather, you get even colder blaring air conditioned air comming out before the car warms up. 

When I drove an EL, I hated this "feature".  Even with the A/C on and vent feature the interior stayed humid too.

I'm not sure if the TL has this feature or not.

One thing I've noticed on the 06civics is that they have a MAX A/C and regular A/C function.  Possibly using just the regular a/c for defrost mode will keep things lubed up as well as not burn too much gas/ rob power.

[mdxtasy]

... it's just annoying every single time you try to start the car in the cold weather, you get even colder blaring air conditioned air comming out before the car warms up. 

When I drove an EL, I hated this "feature".  Even with the A/C on and vent feature the interior stayed humid too.

I'm not sure if the TL has this feature or not.

One thing I've noticed on the 06civics is that they have a MAX A/C and regular A/C function.  Possibly using just the regular a/c for defrost mode will keep things lubed up as well as not burn too much gas/ rob power.

Max A/C is just A/C with the recirc on right?  When you start a cold car, you get cold air regardless.  Depending on the number of people inside the vehicle and how humid it is, the car may have trouble keeping up with the humidity.  It doesn't go away instantly.  When I had my EL, it eventually de-humidified the interior.  The MDX is a lot easier to de-fog the interior. 

[Zoo]

Hi ArticSteve,

  I tried your advice but it was the green AC light that flashed and then went out. It also made no difference. My Civic is a 2001 DX-G. Any comments?

[mdxtasy]

Did you do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around?   

[Zoo]

...that's what it's all about....

[articsteve]

Hi ArticSteve,

  I tried your advice but it was the green AC light that flashed and then went out. It also made no difference. My Civic is a 2001 DX-G. Any comments?

 

[barrie1]

Check your owners manuel to see if this is even possible with this model of car. 

[Zoo]

Hi Barrie,

  I did check out the manual last night and there was nothing about being able to disable this "feature".

[barrie1]

Well it sounds like you are just going to have to live with this design. I would think that you could pull the fuse but that kinda defeats the purpose of having it at all. It is healthier to have it running the way it is as you will have amuch longer life with it this way. Maybe if you can redirect your vents away from yourself then it might be alittle better. 

[sterling]

I don't get what the problem is? Dehumidifying the air is what makes the defroster setting work. If you just want warm air, try blowing on a frozen windshield to defrost it. You'll probably find that it doesn't work too well.

Worrying about the wear on the compressor reminds of the father of a girl I dated years ago. He forbid her from increaasing the heater fan speed beyond the first level on the basis that it would wear out sooner by actually using it.

[tenpenny]

    .

[HeliDriver]

I don't get what the problem is? Dehumidifying the air is what makes the defroster setting work.

Sure, but I like to use the defroster setting for general ventilation simply because it doesn't blow air at my face, arms or feet - just a nice, unobtrusive supply of fresh air.

As for why I don't like to let the A/C compressor run all the time, aside from the fuel economy implications, there's also the matter of how much power it sucks from a small engine like that in a Civic. While Barrie might not notice 5 or 10 horsepower missing from his big block V8, it makes a very noticeable difference with a tiny engine that makes all its power up high in the rev range.

I'm actually pretty happy with how Honda has got the system set up in my Civic: compressor comes on automatically in defrost mode, but you can still hit the A/C button to turn it off if you wish.

When I get a minute I'll try Artic's suggestion to see if it works on my '99.

[barrie1]

Sir Civic my engine is actually a Chevie Small Block. I don't need a big block because of the extra fuel milage I would lose. Compared to your Civic engine then yes it is a Big V8.