Hey Everyone

New Fit owner, and proud new member of the site. Tons of useful info so far! Glad I found it!

I just realized that when using the defrost setting on the car (2011 Sport), the A/C will always come on. It was throwing me off at first, because all other Honda's I've had before, when the A/C comes on, the A/C indicator light will light up. After re-reading the owners manual, I find out that the A/C will always come on (defrost settings), but the indicator light won't come on.

So, now that I know I'm not going crazy, is there anyway of diabling this? Spent a lot of time searching, but there doesn't seem to be a way? I was thinking... could I just remove the A/C fuse? I know it is useful for clearing fogged up windows, but I don't want it on all the damn time.

Anyone else done this? Can't imagine doing this would cause any issues, like throwing a code.

Thanks in advance

 

Be sure to give positive reps to "Roger’s Fit" for this. I'm just passing along the info...
http://www.fitmods.com/ <-- click "A/C defrost disable modification" on the top right of that page.

 

Interesting! Glad there was at least one pic, but wish there were a few more. I'm sure it's straight forward....

Anyone actually done this?

 

Here's a thread on it.

I don't understand the fervor to disable the A/C on defog/defrost. It helps clear the fog.

I suppose if I lived where it's freezing all the time I might feel different.

Most cars these days will turn on the A/C by default when defog is selected. Most people don't realize you can turn on the A/C to dehumidify and heat the car. Most people that have foggy windows leave their cars on recirculate and/or don't run the A/C when they could. I especially like the cars that I pass that look like they have a rainforest going on inside, with the driver furiously wiping the inside of the windshield with a big mac wrapper. It is for these people the automatic A/C activation was designed. But I don't mind.

 

Here is a thread that more decribes my issue...
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/2nd-...frost-mod.html

Having the a/c on does help clear the windows, I know this. I think it's rediculous that you can't turn it off once the windows are clear. All other honda's I've owned in the past, there is a way to turn it off. It is a tremendous waste of gas IMO to have it on all the time. I prefer to use the defrost/winsheild setting when the fan is on. I'm sure I'm not alone.

Living in the Pacific Northwest, I rarely need my a/c at the best of times. I also find that keeping your windows clean helps a lot as well. It's great to have, but rarely needed. Which is why I'm considering pulling the fuse... the thought of tearing my dash half apart is not appealing in the slightest!

 

Even when the A/C is "on" the compressor cycles on and off. When the ambient temperature is low, the compressor runs less frequently, especially on Fits that are "hard wired" to run the A/C in an economizing mode.

If you need to use the defogger, it could be avoided by switching on the A/C and adjusting the temperature to a comfortable level with the outlet selector on any position. Also try to leave it on fresh-air vs. recirculate.

I wouldn't pull the fuse. The amount of extra fuel it uses when the outside temperature is low is negligible. And it does maintain a more comfortable dry environment inside the car.

I'm from Seattle, last lived there in 1995. Also lived in southern Ontario for 5 years, and Europe for 5 years. So damp cold freezing nasty weather is not beyond my scope of experience.

The mod described by Roger'sFit is simple and doesn't permanently change anything. The removal of the dash cover is simple and painless. This entails about the same effort as pulling the fuse and doesn't disable the A/C when you really want it.

 

Fair enough. I guess I'll just have to 'man up' and try to unplug that connector, though it doesn't seem as easy on the newer models than it does on the 09's?

 

It's all about choice. With the mod you can choose weather to run the compressor during defrost by pressing (or not pressing) the AC button.

 

Reading the "HELP, PLEASE Defrost Mod" thread it doesn't seem that '10s and '11s are different from '09s such that it would require pulling the radio head. The pictures there were just done when someone had it out.

The small panel above the aux power outlet under the recirc lever is about 5 by 6 inches, and literally snaps in and out with a flat head screwdriver. Just pry on it. Lying on your back you should be able to look up and see the wire connector described.

Pulling the radio might give better access but this is much more involved.

Still, I'd advocate leaving it the way it is and just running the A/C at the hint of your windows fogging up and then turning it off. You don't even need to use the defog selection.

Here's an unrelated service guide for pulling the radio. Step 6 (skip 1-5, although disconnecting the battery first is a good idea) is pulling the small access panel so it may be helpful just for that.

I'm not even sure with the radio out it'd be much easier. It's a bit of a rat's nest in there.

 

Bucked up, and was able to unplug the connector.

Wow, what a gigantic pain in the ass it is to reach the damn thing!

The access panel is super easy to get off, pry from the bottom and she pops right off.

Thankfully I had a set of skinny, long needle nose plyers. All of the other 'normal' sized ones I had were just too bulky to get a grip on the connector. Took a bit of wiggling, but it popped off just fine. Hoping it doesn't rattle around in there, so we'll see.

+rep to all those that helped, in all threads Man I love this site! lol