DIY: Shutting off A/C during defrost mode
Registered!!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 
Ok... i've tried every combo. I've seen the recirculate light blink, and then turn solid... i've seen the recirculate light blink and then a/c turn solid... i've seen the a/c light blink and then turn solid... and i'v seen the a/c light blink and then the recirculate light turn solid.
in none of the cases did the a/c override feature work when in defrost mode.
could this be because i have a civic hybrid and they don't want this combo to work? there is an econ button that does things depending if a/c is on/off. anyway, i'll try this out on my brother crv. he hates that he can't override.
my s2000 allows you to override without any button sequence.
in none of the cases did the a/c override feature work when in defrost mode.
could this be because i have a civic hybrid and they don't want this combo to work? there is an econ button that does things depending if a/c is on/off. anyway, i'll try this out on my brother crv. he hates that he can't override.
my s2000 allows you to override without any button sequence.
This is a wonderful dIY!!
It works for my car! i went to the Honda dealer for this question before, but they know Nothing!!!! (dealer only know how to sale car)
well.......thanks so much man!!!!!
It works for my car! i went to the Honda dealer for this question before, but they know Nothing!!!! (dealer only know how to sale car)
well.......thanks so much man!!!!!
Registered!!
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 
interesting... First off- did the a/c override and it works awesome, thanks 
But, I think I found a sort of 'test mode' for the HVAC system while in the process of doing this (maybe any techs watching and laughing can confirm?). After goofing around with a few different button presses I found that the sequence of:
-all ***** turned as counter clockwise as possible
-turn ignition on/while simultaneously pressing the recirc and rear defrost buttons and holding them in (no pressing of the a/c) until the 'test' stops.
This all leads to some sort of system test in which the fan cycles from low to high, then low to high with recirc, then the vent position cycles from floor to dash to defog, and back again, I think a/c pops in and out for the later half and the air temp goes from cool to hot to cool again.
Yeah, sounds like I was just too tired when I did the a/c override I know, but it seems like some sort of calibration test or system function test used to make sure everything is working.
Just thought Id pass it on if anyone wants to amuse themselves further...
-oc
But, I think I found a sort of 'test mode' for the HVAC system while in the process of doing this (maybe any techs watching and laughing can confirm?). After goofing around with a few different button presses I found that the sequence of:
-all ***** turned as counter clockwise as possible
-turn ignition on/while simultaneously pressing the recirc and rear defrost buttons and holding them in (no pressing of the a/c) until the 'test' stops.
This all leads to some sort of system test in which the fan cycles from low to high, then low to high with recirc, then the vent position cycles from floor to dash to defog, and back again, I think a/c pops in and out for the later half and the air temp goes from cool to hot to cool again.
Yeah, sounds like I was just too tired when I did the a/c override I know, but it seems like some sort of calibration test or system function test used to make sure everything is working.
Just thought Id pass it on if anyone wants to amuse themselves further...
-oc
Registered!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Rep Power: 288 just rode in my friends new 04 recently, appears that honda turned off the "auto ac on" for defrost for the 04 model. so now its fully manual, one could turn it on and off when he wanted. i guess too many ppl complained.
Registered!!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 No, the 04 models still have A/C on during defrost (the A/C light never comes on) and can't be turned off. But, the trick works on the 04 models too.
For those of you still trying. The trick does not over rides the A/C. It still comes on during defrost mode, but the A/C light now comes on and you can manually turn off the A/C in defrost mode.
For those of you still trying. The trick does not over rides the A/C. It still comes on during defrost mode, but the A/C light now comes on and you can manually turn off the A/C in defrost mode.
Last edited by Bebop; Dec 27, 2003 at 11:37 PM.
Registered!!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 You guys are awesome. This fix works great!
It's dumb to use this thing in a cold weather climate, as the AC doesn't even act to pull the moisture out of the car's interior air when the temperature outside is less than 32 degrees F. This then defeats the purpose of having this option being mandatory.
Thanks again,
James
It's dumb to use this thing in a cold weather climate, as the AC doesn't even act to pull the moisture out of the car's interior air when the temperature outside is less than 32 degrees F. This then defeats the purpose of having this option being mandatory.
Thanks again,
James
Registered!!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 Possibly. You'd just want to make sure that you still run the AC a couple of times during the winter to keep the lubrication, which is mixed with the refrigerant, in good circulation with all of the moving parts of your AC components. This could be why Honda put this setting as a default.
Personally, I would think that running the AC after first starting your car in 15 degree weather would be more detrimental than the alternative.
Personally, I would think that running the AC after first starting your car in 15 degree weather would be more detrimental than the alternative.
VTEC MASTER
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 710
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 
umm..the A/c is supposed to kick on because most people use the defroster in the winter and not the A/C, so this is a way to keep the A/C compressor working year round. Then come summer you dont get a grinding unit because it hasnt been used for 7 months! 
Registered!!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Los angles to the dirty dirt
Rep Power: 0 
haha that rock's dude, for someone like me who need's all the gas they can get that A/c trick help's me get from point A to point B 20 cent's cheaper haha now has anyone noticed the fuel indicator keeps fluctuating? A few friend's and mine sure does but we own 02 civic ex coupe's so I'm not sure if it's a *recall alert* haha issue or our car's need's go to a nut house that fuel gauge is retarded.. haha so if anyone knows anything about this, let us know please thanks and thanks for the diy on AC
Registered!!
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 843
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach/Norwalk A.K.A. SoCal
Rep Power: 0 Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes that alway bug the hell out of me 
, having the a/c on at the same time, because in time i will forgot the a/c on. Thanks to this, I just gone out to try this and yes it did work. 
thanks!!!!!!!
, having the a/c on at the same time, because in time i will forgot the a/c on. Thanks to this, I just gone out to try this and yes it did work. thanks!!!!!!!
Registered!!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0 Hi all, found this site while looking for a solution after Honda Canada told me my Civic 2005 was designed that way and there was nothing I could do about it and couldn't understand why I wanted the A/C off during Winter. Now I know better
Where I live (Ottawa, Canada), I use the defrost mode 99% of the time in Winter. Here's my morning routine during Winter time:
Start the car and put it on Defrost with full heat and full fan. Recirculation button is also on. I leave the car running for about three minutes and even at -20 C, the car has warmed up a bit by then and without me in the car, windows cannot frost, even with the air recirculating. Once I get in the car (remote starter), I leave it running in recirculating for about two more minutes (my cue is when I get on the highway). After that, I turn off the recirculating and move the air to floor and defrost where it stays for the rest of the trip to warm up the window (and my feet) and thus, preventing fogging it (the window, not my feet
). As you can see, this means for me the A/C is on all the time during Winter time (from December till Marchl)! Waste of gaz (and money).
Now with this DIY, I'll just have the A/C on Monday morning until I turn off the recirculation button. So once a week for about 5 minutes should prevent the unit for ceizing.
Thank very much for the tip.
Where I live (Ottawa, Canada), I use the defrost mode 99% of the time in Winter. Here's my morning routine during Winter time:
Start the car and put it on Defrost with full heat and full fan. Recirculation button is also on. I leave the car running for about three minutes and even at -20 C, the car has warmed up a bit by then and without me in the car, windows cannot frost, even with the air recirculating. Once I get in the car (remote starter), I leave it running in recirculating for about two more minutes (my cue is when I get on the highway). After that, I turn off the recirculating and move the air to floor and defrost where it stays for the rest of the trip to warm up the window (and my feet) and thus, preventing fogging it (the window, not my feet
). As you can see, this means for me the A/C is on all the time during Winter time (from December till Marchl)! Waste of gaz (and money).Now with this DIY, I'll just have the A/C on Monday morning until I turn off the recirculation button. So once a week for about 5 minutes should prevent the unit for ceizing.
Thank very much for the tip.
35+ Years Driving Japanese Autos
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,904
Likes: 14
Rep Power: 308 
Works great on 05 models.
There is not enough air flowing to the defrost section in floor mode to keep the windshield clear, so this is a needed fix on the Civics.
I use heat, not the AC unit to clear windshield.
Use Recirc as little as possible.
I think that Honda AC systems have had troubles for a long time now. Certainly room for improvement.
There is not enough air flowing to the defrost section in floor mode to keep the windshield clear, so this is a needed fix on the Civics.
I use heat, not the AC unit to clear windshield.
Use Recirc as little as possible.
I think that Honda AC systems have had troubles for a long time now. Certainly room for improvement.
the dealership showed me how to do this a couple of days a go.
1) Have the car turned off.
2) Turn the "air condition position" **** to the left all the way (counter-clock-wise).
3) Hold the "back seat air circulation button" and the "a/c" button "DOWN". (don't touch the "defrost" button.
4) Start the car with the "BUTTONS" held down, and wait for 7 seconds.
5) All done. You can turn the "A/C" off and on now.
P.S. To turn the original feature back on, repeat all steps, but for "STEP 2", turn the **** all the way to the "right" (clock-wise).
these are the directions everyone used right? well i do not understand them. whats "right" mean? sorry for the stupid question my pops wants me to do this. thanks!
1) Have the car turned off.
2) Turn the "air condition position" **** to the left all the way (counter-clock-wise).
3) Hold the "back seat air circulation button" and the "a/c" button "DOWN". (don't touch the "defrost" button.
4) Start the car with the "BUTTONS" held down, and wait for 7 seconds.
5) All done. You can turn the "A/C" off and on now.
P.S. To turn the original feature back on, repeat all steps, but for "STEP 2", turn the **** all the way to the "right" (clock-wise).
these are the directions everyone used right? well i do not understand them. whats "right" mean? sorry for the stupid question my pops wants me to do this. thanks!
