Honda HRV A/C Woes: Seeking Reliable Diagnosis & Repair Tips

Hey there! I actually faced a similar issue with my 1997 Honda CR-V last summer. The symptoms were nearly identical, inconsistent cooling and warm air blowing. I was also suspicious of the temp sensor initially, but when I took it to the garage, it turned out to be a defective A/C control unit. The mechanic showed me how the control unit wasn't sending proper signals to engage the compressor. They had to replace the entire control module to fix it. It wasn't a quick fix, took them about 5 hours total because they needed to remove several components to access the unit. This was definitely a serious issue since the A/C system couldn't function properly at all, and continuing to run it could have potentially damaged other components. The good news is that once replaced, the system worked perfectly again. For finding a reliable mechanic, I'd suggest asking them to explain the diagnostic process and show you the faulty parts. My mechanic did this, which really helped build trust in their assessment. Hope this helps with your situation!

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful, as I'm facing almost exactly the same symptoms. It's interesting that it turned out to be the control unit in your case, I wouldn't have thought of that. Do you remember roughly how much the whole repair set you back? Also, has everything been working smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other A/C quirks popping up?

Hey again! Just wanted to update you on my CR-V situation, got the issue completely sorted out! The fix cost me 980€ for the A/C control unit replacement. While they were in there, they also checked out that heat exchanger temperature sensor I mentioned before and fixed that too. I'm super happy to report that it's been working like a charm since the repair, no more warm air surprises or system failures! The A/C kicks in right away now and keeps the car nice and cool, even during those scorching hot days. Honestly, it's working better than it has in years. I know it wasn't exactly cheap, but considering how essential A/C is and how well it's working now, I'd say it was worth every penny. Plus, avoiding potential damage to other parts by fixing it properly saved money in the long run. Just make sure whoever works on yours shows you what they're replacing, that really helped me feel confident about the repair. Let me know how yours turns out!

Thanks for all the details! I bit the bullet and took my car to a mechanic yesterday. You wouldn't believe it, but my experience was totally different! Turns out it was just a refrigerant leak and a clogged filter. The mechanic was super transparent, showed me exactly where the leak was and explained how the dirt buildup was affecting the system. The whole thing cost me way less than I expected, about 300€ for the leak fix, filter replacement, and recharge. They had it done in about 2 hours. The A/C's now blasting cold air like it's a brand new car! Funny how we had similar symptoms but different problems. Really glad I didn't jump to conclusions about the temperature sensor. The mechanic I found was great, showed me everything and even gave me some tips about maintaining the A/C system. Thanks again for sharing your story, it gave me the push I needed to get it checked out properly! Sometimes these car issues turn out simpler than we expect, huh?