Disabling automatic AC on defrost

[Roger's Fit]

Ok. There have been some interest in disabling the automatic and forced use of AC while in defrost. I have done this, without cutting any wires, and you can still press the AC button to turn on the AC while in defrost.

Remove the small plastic panel below the heater knob. Use a screwdriver to carefully pry the lower portion off.



I could not get a picture up on the switch, but look in the slot closest to the steering wheel. You are looking for a plug in the back side of the switch, that has 2 wires. slide the connector off with a screwdriver. That's it! The plug has been pulled out of the slot to give you a view of what you are working with.

[Olyar15]

Thanks. Glad somebody was the guinea pig and experimented with pulling plugs. So do you have any idea how to plug that back in, just in case you want to revert back to the way it was?

[Roger's Fit]

Originally Posted by Olyar15

Thanks. Glad somebody was the guinea pig and experimented with pulling plugs. So do you have any idea how to plug that back in, just in case you want to revert back to the way it was?

You can just plug it back in, although it will be difficult. I tried for 5 minutes and gave up. Long needle nose pliers will be needed. If you take apart more of the dash, it would be no problem.

[Virtual]

Excellent! I will be doing that real soon.

Thanks Roger.

[JDM_DOHC_SiR]

One more mod to do!!.. Thanks!!

[Virtual]

This thread and the one for "Unlock my doors please" should be stickies.

[SCBarren]

I see a screw holding that piece in


Ahh, I was going the wrong way, you have to push down on that little lip on the connector.

DONE!

Yay! No more A/C gas wasting with my defroster.

Thanks!

[reako]

Thanks!!!!

[umop-apisdn]

I know an even easier way.

1. Turn key to "on" (position before crank).
2. Move fan knob to "off".
3. Temp knob full blue (all the way to the left).
4. Position knob full left (arrow pointing to face only.
5. Turn key off.
6. Press the AC button and hold it down.
7. Turn key back to the "on" position and wait for 7 seconds while still holding the AC button down.
8. Release AC button and start the car.

Voila, now the AC doesn't come on automatically in defrost mode! You can however, turn it on if you're so inclined.

[dimpthepimp]

is this for the 2009 model ony? is the others the same?

[umop-apisdn]

My method works on many Hondas. Sometimes they even place this procedure in the owner's manual, but most of the time they leave it out even though it works for that vehicle.

[badself]

Originally Posted by umop-apisdn

My method works on many Hondas. Sometimes they even place this procedure in the owner's manual, but most of the time they leave it out even though it works for that vehicle.

Thanks, except that it does not work for the GE Fit, and neither does the other "procedural" fix I've seen on the forum for this issue.

It looks like the "disconnect" method is the only way to conclusively override the a/c compressor while on defrost, at this time, anyway.

[Virtual]

I agree completely. The umop-apisdn method doesn't work with the 09 Fit.

[FitStir]

Originally Posted by Roger's Fit

Ok. There have been some interest in disabling the automatic and forced use of AC while in defrost. I have done this, without cutting any wires, and you can still press the AC button to turn on the AC while in defrost.

Great find! +reps.


Modified Fog lights? What kind of mod did you do?

[somdamon]

Originally Posted by umop-apisdn

I know an even easier way.

1. Turn key to "on" (position before crank).
2. Move fan knob to "off".
3. Temp knob full blue (all the way to the left).
4. Position knob full left (arrow pointing to face only.
5. Turn key off.
6. Press the AC button and hold it down.
7. Turn key back to the "on" position and wait for 7 seconds while still holding the AC button down.
8. Release AC button and start the car.

Voila, now the AC doesn't come on automatically in defrost mode! You can however, turn it on if you're so inclined.

Does this procedure have to be repeated everytime you start the vehicle - or is it a one time procedure which deactivates the AC compressor when using defrost mode?

[mega56]

Originally Posted by umop-apisdn

I know an even easier way.

1. Turn key to "on" (position before crank).
2. Move fan knob to "off".
3. Temp knob full blue (all the way to the left).
4. Position knob full left (arrow pointing to face only.
5. Turn key off.
6. Press the AC button and hold it down.
7. Turn key back to the "on" position and wait for 7 seconds while still holding the AC button down.
8. Release AC button and start the car.

Voila, now the AC doesn't come on automatically in defrost mode! You can however, turn it on if you're so inclined.

thanks but I've tried this many times, all variations of it and couldn't get it to work.

[concorde]

thanks OP! first the foglight mod, now this... well-deserved reps!

[Nabisco]

This may be slightly off topic but I have a question.

I have had my Fit now for 11k miles and I only recently noticed this quirk with the condenser fan.
Weather the motor is cold or hot, with or without the AC; I turn on the inside blower and I notice the condenser fan comes on and turns off. This repeats through out my driving.
I'm pretty sure I have noticed this without defroster selected but I will double check after work.
I'm guessing this is the condenser fan because this only happens when I turn on the blower.

Either way, is this normal in the Fit?
I think this could lead to premature fan failure.

[umop-apisdn]

Odd... I did the procedure a few times just to verify that it does work on my GE. I had my ebrake on and the air slider was on outside air, maybe that matters. I'll go check.

[umop-apisdn]

Silly me, I thought the fact that the light on the AC switch turning off meant that the procedure worked. The compressor still cycles regardless whether the switch is on or not.