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

PHEV Newbie - your condenser should be covered for 3 years 36 thousand miles factory warranty but I think the HVAC system in cars might be longer. Was this a Honda dealer that performed the work?

 

Condenser is no different than a windshield in that both are front/center and both take frequent direct hits from interstate rocks. Most are relatively harmless, a few can be damage inducing.

A condenser that leaks at a seam due to mfr defect would be covered under warranty. A condenser that develops a leak caused by a rock impact is not covered by warranty, but it would be a legitimate and routine comprehensive insurance claim thru your insurance company, and subject to your comprehensive deductible.

If he didn’t keep the part it has likely been discarded and it is too late now to convince Honda this is a part defect for a warranty claim, but the paperwork/paid receipt is enough to file an insurance claim for reimbursement minus deductible. IMO he should forget Honda this late in the game and call his insurance company to file a claim.

 

He wrote that he has the old condenser (the dealer put it in his trunk) and it doesn't show any damage.

 

Just went through the same thing. No A/C. I have 38,000 mi on my car and suddenly semi-cool air blowing. 2 weeks ago, the A/C/ was so cold I had to turn down the fan to lowest setting. Dealer told me the coolant was low by 80%. They did a complete test (including the dye test) and could not find a leak. They re-filled the refrigerant and it's working great.....at least for today. I had to pay $300 even though I have an extended warranty. Apparently the extended warranty only covers mechanical failures. I was told the refrigerant is initially only covered for 24,000 miles or 3 years. I was also told by the extended warranty people that Honda Claritys have huge A/C failures.

 

I can't help but wonder exactly what data they are basing this statement on, especially considering the sample size. I also wonder if they are referring to the specific problem that occured with your car (of which the cause seems to have never even been identified) or if they may be referring to something like the SB (for, I believe, one of the earliest batches of the Clarity) for the replacement of a fan that was deemed to be a little too loud.

In any regard, I'm sorry you had to endure this cost and frustration. I hope it's now resolved and that you'll have a better experience in the future.


Sent from my iPad using Inside EVs

 

My Gen2 Fit had HORRIBLE AC issues and, living in the deep south, the AC is needed 11 months out of the year! So far, though, Clarity has been wonderful in our mid-90's weather with 105+ heat indices. Cabin pre-conditioning makes the car worth every penny!

 

I am in the hot southwest where 100+ degree weather is daily.
Glad to have a great A/C system !

 

The AC system in the Clarity PHEV is completely enclosed and has no seals like those in more common autos with belt driven AC compressors. In particular, there are no shaft seals. The Clarity PHEV compressor and motor are a single unit and the compressor motor runs on the high voltage circuit not the 12V circuit. The compressor is not driven by a belt connected to the IC engine. So, almost all leaks are caused by a mechanical failure and those AC related mechanical failures are explicitly covered by the Honda Care Vehicle Service Contract (extended warranty in common terms). This explicitly includes the refrigerant evacuation, recharge, and recovery made necessary by the mechanical breakdown. Leaks can be caused by a rock hitting the condenser. However, the condenser is located behind the dual radiators for the HV battery and inverter cooling so a rock hit would usually also damage those radiators. There is narrow opening directly to the very bottom of the condenser that is about 1cm high and that is the only path that would allow a rock hit.

I suspect the Honda service managers are used to the normal auto AC system which can leak through the external shaft seals could be called a wear item with normally expected leakage. However, the Clarity PHEV AC system is different. I would object quite a bit if the AC refrigerant leaked out on my Clarity PHEV and was not covered by the Honda Care contract unless there was visual impact damage to the very bottom of the condenser.

LeoP

 

I'm glad the dye test showed the leak in our Clarity's defective condenser. I'm not an a/c technician so I don't know if @Valente's leak could be so slow that it wouldn't show up through the dye test, but the dealer can't claim there's no problem if it all leaked out in such a short period of time.

 

Very helpful info!
I noticed that when I turn on the A/C, there is no "oomph" or sag in lighting so it's true that it runs on the high voltage EV pack instead of the 12V battery common on ICE engines that I typically see.

 

Awesome info, thanks for sharing!

 

Well count me in the 'something broke' camp. Today was the first 'warm' day since last year and the GF wanted the AC while we were on the highway. The AC said 'nope'. When we got home I went to look at the condenser to see if there was anything obvious. I was very confused why there was a rubber hose going to my 'condenser'. I stared at it for a moment and then I noticed the drain plug. That's when it clicked that our condensers are behind the radiator. Very, very strange.

Sadly I JUST came back from Honda yesterday (for my second!?! brake rotor resurface since I've had the car) so I guess I'll have to make another appointment.

 

Yep. They've had my car for over 3 weeks and said the AC part is still back ordered....a evaporative core. I'm really pissed. I called Honda Corporation of America and they said they would look into it. So far no luck. Meanwhile they gave me a free civic rental and it's killing my back since I drive to LA from Palm Springs twice/week. The shuttle driver who drove me home when I left my car 3 weeks ago told me they're having massive problems with the AC in most of their cars. NO MORE HONDAS FOR ME!

 

Gas guzzling Insight! lol

 

That sucks. Remember that someone has had a ridiculous problem with every make and model of car out there. That said, they should be giving you a nicely-outfitted Accord in the meantime, not a Civic. The Civic is much smaller.

 

I asked for a larger car - they said no. Jerks! Unicar Honda, Indio - I've had other problems with them as well. NEVER AGAIN!!

 

That is bad. I certainly wouldn't deal with that dealership again. I had a compressor go out in a Honda Civic SI when I was younger. It was the first car I ever bought, and it was at something like 38,000 miles (just out of the 36K warranty). I spoke to the Honda America district representative (I think that was his title). Even though my Honda was out of warranty, he said they'd pay for the part if I paid for the labor (which I did). I'd talk to the rep. You're being treated shabbily.

 

To make matters worse, I just found out from Honda Corp of America that it will take 3 months to get the part which is being shipped from Japan via boat. So I will not have my car for THREE MONTHS!!! I am livid! Honda is USELESS! This is supposed to be covered under a separate warranty I purchased from the dealership for $1800. I'm going to ask for a warranty refund and go to an independent mechanic and have them install an aftermarket part. I figure the original part failed anyway. May as well try an aftermarket part.

 

There are aftermarket parts for the limited-production Clarity? AFAIK, there's not even an aftermarket windshield for the Clarity, and I'm certain windshields are replaced more often than A/C components. I wonder if it was Honda or your dealer's extended warranty provider who didn't want to pay extra for a cargo plane shipment?

 

Just came from another Honda dealership. No. There are no aftermarket parts for the evaporator core. I've searched all over the internet. And you're right - no aftermarket parts for the windshield. I had mine replaced 4 months ago. Sheesh. I will never buy another first year car. Hard to get parts. Guess I have to wait 3 months for the part. I was also told that the battery might die from non usage and might need to be replaced. Extended warranties are USELESS!!