A/C fail?
Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,095
From: Hebron, In
First run on recirculate whenever possible. You will accumulate less moisture (and ice) that way.
Why don't put up with it. If it starts to freeze up too much you simply push the AC button to turn off the compressor but leave the temperature on full cold and continue to drive. As the ice melts your car will continue to cool. When the air from the vents starts getting warm then all of the ice is gone. Press the AC button again and continue on your way.
My point is if you leave it this way you are running your AC slightly colder than designed and over all you will get more cabin cooling out of the system. Recharging the system should bring the evaporator up to a temperature of 40 to 45. Without recharging the evaporator is obviously running below 32. Colder evaporator means more cooling in the interior of the car. Now if it is freezing up every 10 minutes then you really do need to get it recharged.
Why don't put up with it. If it starts to freeze up too much you simply push the AC button to turn off the compressor but leave the temperature on full cold and continue to drive. As the ice melts your car will continue to cool. When the air from the vents starts getting warm then all of the ice is gone. Press the AC button again and continue on your way.
My point is if you leave it this way you are running your AC slightly colder than designed and over all you will get more cabin cooling out of the system. Recharging the system should bring the evaporator up to a temperature of 40 to 45. Without recharging the evaporator is obviously running below 32. Colder evaporator means more cooling in the interior of the car. Now if it is freezing up every 10 minutes then you really do need to get it recharged.
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,661
From: Georgia
First run on recirculate whenever possible. You will accumulate less moisture (and ice) that way.
Why don't put up with it. If it starts to freeze up too much you simply push the AC button to turn off the compressor but leave the temperature on full cold and continue to drive. As the ice melts your car will continue to cool. When the air from the vents starts getting warm then all of the ice is gone. Press the AC button again and continue on your way.
My point is if you leave it this way you are running your AC slightly colder than designed and over all you will get more cabin cooling out of the system. Recharging the system should bring the evaporator up to a temperature of 40 to 45. Without recharging the evaporator is obviously running below 32. Colder evaporator means more cooling in the interior of the car. Now if it is freezing up every 10 minutes then you really do need to get it recharged.
Why don't put up with it. If it starts to freeze up too much you simply push the AC button to turn off the compressor but leave the temperature on full cold and continue to drive. As the ice melts your car will continue to cool. When the air from the vents starts getting warm then all of the ice is gone. Press the AC button again and continue on your way.
My point is if you leave it this way you are running your AC slightly colder than designed and over all you will get more cabin cooling out of the system. Recharging the system should bring the evaporator up to a temperature of 40 to 45. Without recharging the evaporator is obviously running below 32. Colder evaporator means more cooling in the interior of the car. Now if it is freezing up every 10 minutes then you really do need to get it recharged.
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,371
From: NC USA
In this heat wave (106F) I had to drive 5 hrs in the Fit today (2012 MT Base). The A/C could not keep up. The air coming out - such as it was (not very strong for recirc on 4) felt mildly cool but not cold. Not only that, it started to drip inside the car on my passenger's left foot. Not a lot, but enough to notice - and it got wet under the mats, too.
When I got home in the cooler garage (at last!) - I went by the car after about an hour or so. There was an unusually large puddle of water coming out from behind the front wheel on the passenger side. I know running the A/C will leave a bit of a puddle, but this was so much it reminded me of times in the past when my house's A/C unit would freeze up and then, when it gave out, subsequently melt, leaving a large puddle.
So ... Is it too much to expect it to put out cold air when it's that hot outside? Before you say yes, they sell them in Texas, don't they? And consider the symptoms above. I feel like this may be in need of a warranty repair of some kind.
Thanks for your thoughts
cspan
When I got home in the cooler garage (at last!) - I went by the car after about an hour or so. There was an unusually large puddle of water coming out from behind the front wheel on the passenger side. I know running the A/C will leave a bit of a puddle, but this was so much it reminded me of times in the past when my house's A/C unit would freeze up and then, when it gave out, subsequently melt, leaving a large puddle.
So ... Is it too much to expect it to put out cold air when it's that hot outside? Before you say yes, they sell them in Texas, don't they? And consider the symptoms above. I feel like this may be in need of a warranty repair of some kind.
Thanks for your thoughts
cspan
In the high humidity we've had recently all my cars leave a large puddle after parking.
Just out of curiosity are you running your systme on recirculation ? If not, do so. My Fit won't keep up with a/cing the whole world but it does if I'm just cooling my air.
Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 782
From: WV
About a year ago a whirring noise developed in my engine bay. It became progressively more noisy. You could hear it in the cabin of vehicle. A/C was cooling fine. Dealer ended up replacing the A/C compressor, clutch and coil.
It's been cooling fine, even when it's hot out. If it's really hot out, I run it in recirculate until things cool down and then click it over to fresh mode. Works fine in fresh mode.
It's been cooling fine, even when it's hot out. If it's really hot out, I run it in recirculate until things cool down and then click it over to fresh mode. Works fine in fresh mode.
Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,370
From: Canada
My trix:
Tinted windows
I leave my front windows opened about 1/2 inch when I park. I have visors so it doesn't show.
When I first get in I close the windows and run AC full tilt on outside air mode until the hot air is flushed out of the car, then I lower the fan and throw on recirculate. I end up having to occasionally turn off the AC because I find it too cold. Works great for me, I'm running an '07.
Tinted windows
I leave my front windows opened about 1/2 inch when I park. I have visors so it doesn't show.
When I first get in I close the windows and run AC full tilt on outside air mode until the hot air is flushed out of the car, then I lower the fan and throw on recirculate. I end up having to occasionally turn off the AC because I find it too cold. Works great for me, I'm running an '07.
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 106
From: Arkansaw
well, just drove from Little Rock to Kansas City with one stop, both stretches 3+ hours, high 80s and sunny, admittedly not the most taxing of conditions. But not only did the A/C never freeze up, my 13 year old was too cold with the fan setting on "2," it was working that well. Hopefully that flush and refill was exactly what it needed.
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,302
From: Louisville
well, just drove from Little Rock to Kansas City with one stop, both stretches 3+ hours, high 80s and sunny, admittedly not the most taxing of conditions. But not only did the A/C never freeze up, my 13 year old was too cold with the fan setting on "2," it was working that well. Hopefully that flush and refill was exactly what it needed.
New Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1
From: Gainesville, Florida
Hello Everyone, I have the same issue with my 2012 Fit. It only has 12,000 miles on it and when I travel on the highway after an hour the A/C quits working. If I let the car sit for 20 min or so, I will have a huge puddle on the ground and the A/C starts working again for another hour. Seems to me this is a cronic issue with the FIT. Sounds like a recall item to me... What do you think???
New Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6
From: Denton, TX
I think I had a similar issue today on a long & hot road trip. My Fit only has about 7000 miles on it and I always knew the air conditioner wasn't that great in 100 degree plus Texas heat, but I think something has to be wrong with it.
It would seem to start reasonably cold, but after awhile on the road it seemed like the cooling ability went DOWN, and I had it on 3 & 4 and recirculate. I guess I'll take it in along with the safety recall issue (13-040) and mention that it might be low on refrigerant. I have a feeling it's freezing up.
It would seem to start reasonably cold, but after awhile on the road it seemed like the cooling ability went DOWN, and I had it on 3 & 4 and recirculate. I guess I'll take it in along with the safety recall issue (13-040) and mention that it might be low on refrigerant. I have a feeling it's freezing up.
Last edited by TidalWaveOne; Jul 28, 2013 at 11:41 PM.
Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,779
From: edmonton, canada
Sounds like the ac in your case is working too aggressively and causing the refrigerant to freeze, thereby reducing its ability to transfer cold refrigerant from the compressor to the evaporator. The puddle would happen as a result of way too much condensation building up on the pipes and melting all at once once the ac is switched off.
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,661
From: Georgia
Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,779
From: edmonton, canada
Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 106
From: Chicago Area
We had a hot 2 weeks earlier this month in Chicago and my car was not cooling down very well until I put the vent in re-circulate mode.
Then it was better, but my old Altima I sold had much much cooler air.
Then it was better, but my old Altima I sold had much much cooler air.
Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 161
From: Massachusetts USA
Recently I went on a long trip and the air-conditioner in my 2012 Fit sport would freeze up after a while. I had to keep turning it on and off. When I got home I brought it to my dealer ship and they serviced it by evacuating the system and recharging it with the proper amount. They said it was a little low on refrigerant.
After it was serviced it seemed like it was cooling a little better. I think that was just in my mind because now it's just cooling like it usually does, which is mediocre.
I honestly and truly believe the air-conditioning system for the Fit is "Way Too Small"
Just for comparison sake I had a 2003 Hyundai Elantra that the air-conditioner in it would get so cold I had to turn the thermostat "Up".
In many ways I love my Fit, but we need to acknowledge some of the design flaws in it. Like the air-conditioning system that doesn't cool very well. How about excessive road noise. Mine is a 2012 Fit sport and I can tell you the road noise is the worst of had on any car I've owned and I'm in my 60s.
I'm sure some here will get pissed off at me for saying anything bad about the Fit but the truth is the truth.
After it was serviced it seemed like it was cooling a little better. I think that was just in my mind because now it's just cooling like it usually does, which is mediocre.
I honestly and truly believe the air-conditioning system for the Fit is "Way Too Small"
Just for comparison sake I had a 2003 Hyundai Elantra that the air-conditioner in it would get so cold I had to turn the thermostat "Up".
In many ways I love my Fit, but we need to acknowledge some of the design flaws in it. Like the air-conditioning system that doesn't cool very well. How about excessive road noise. Mine is a 2012 Fit sport and I can tell you the road noise is the worst of had on any car I've owned and I'm in my 60s.
I'm sure some here will get pissed off at me for saying anything bad about the Fit but the truth is the truth.