Here's a great writeup.. Will come in handy one of these days.

http://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1665946

What's the point of removing the AC line from the defroster? After you do it, you will have a barely functioning defroster.

I just realized that my post has nothing to do with this topic. I was thinking about the other post regarding A/C not being cold enough - whoops.

How to disable the automatic AC in the defroster modes!
 

Disclaimer: The following is provided as a GUIDE ONLY, and neither myself, nor Fitfreak.net take any responsibility for the outcome of someone else doing the following. You follow these steps at your own risk!

I accidently stubbled on the cause of the AC automatically starting with either defroster modes. There's a toggle switch connected to a yellow and black wire behind the selector mode. Remove the cover under the ventilation controls and unplg that switch and you are done!

https://www.fitfreak.net/gallery/alb...defrost_AC.jpg

You don't have to remove the unit to unplug it.

Interesting. On previous Hondas, this is what you do (works on S2000 and Odyssey at least):

1) Turn vehicle off.
2) Turn fan knob off.
3) Turn temperature knob counter-clockwise to minimum (blue area).
4) Turn vent knob to panel only setting (next to max a/c).
5) Hold down both air recirculation button and a/c button while starting car.
6) Continue holding for 7-10 seconds until air recirculation button stops flashing.

To Re-activate automatic a/c feature in the future if you like too:
1) Turn vehicle off.
2) Turn fan knob off.
3) Turn temperature knob counter-clockwise to minimum (blue area).
4) Turn vent knob clockwise to defrost position.
5) Hold down both air recirculation button and a/c button while starting car.
6) Continue holding for 7-10 seconds until air recirculation button stops flashing.
7) After the 7-10 seconds described in step 6, the recirculation button will start to flash. Continue to hold the button for another 7-10 seconds. After this, the a/c light will turn to green and it's finished!

I don't have my car yet, so I don't know if these instructions work, but good to know there's a backup way to do it. Bookmarking this one for when I get the car......

JonasM

Won't work on the Fit since the recurculating air is a lever, not a button. It's hard wired with the toggle switch.

so can you still use the AC and defroster at the same time when you need to? (push both buttons?)

PS: congrats on your 1000th post

Now if I want the AC on, I push the AC button. Works in any mode, manually.

Great!! I was hoping someone would find this out!!

Thanks!

b17gsr...

I'd like to try this out but want to ask a couple of questions before I start tearing into it. a) In your posted photo above, can I assume that we are looking at the BOTTOM of the HVAC controls? b) Did you disconnect BOTH the yellow AND black connectors (theoretically only one should be needed)? c) It looks (from the photo) that the black wire is going to some kind of double connector -- any guess at what this is for?

Thanks for the post and the photo!

Yes, that is the bottom of the HVAC controls. I had the radio out while attempting the steering mounted radio controls, and I noticed the toggle switch. Both wires are in one connector that's offset and has provisions for a 3rd wire. So both wires are disconnected from my HVAC unit.

How do you get the cover off? I made a "quick" attempt at it, and after removing the screw in the center of the cover, I still could not get it off. Didn't have time to go any further. Thanks for the information, I hate this "feature".

If you follow the instructions in this PDF, you'll figure it out.

http://www.collegehillshonda.com/ins.../musiclink.pdf

Where does the other end lead to? Any easier getting to that end of the harness? :confused:
From the looks of the PDF you'll have to tear into the glove box to get at the clips that hold the offending panel in place...

The wiring goes to the AC button. Not sure if you'd be able to get to it without removing those panels.

Done, Thanks:)

I accidently stubbled on the cause of the AC automatically starting with either defroster modes. There's a toggle switch connected to a yellow and black wire behind the selector mode. Remove the cover under the ventilation controls and unplg that switch and you are done!

Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!! :D

Agreed. The system must be used at minimum once every other week for a good 15 minutes to keep the system working correctly. Another thing to note, the AC won't work under a specific temperature, can't remember what it was off hand.

Hmmm... I wonder if the "every other week for 15 minutes" is a bit too conservative. I agree that cycling the AC occassionally is necessary for the seals but here in the Pacific NW, I probably use my AC probably 6-8 times a year (even to defrost) and have never seen a degradation in performance. Advice that I have generally seen says 5 minutes each month... but again I have never searched for "official" recommendations... and I agree that I have also seen a wide range of anecdotal advice, with the most conservative being "you should run the AC continuously". Just a passing comment....