2008 Honda Civic Hybrid New AC Compressor
Thanks to a suicidal Raccoon who crossed my path while I was driving at 65mph in my '08 Hybrid Civic. I got to replace the condenser and ac compressor on my Hybrid! I ordered a rebuilt compressor from a company in FL.
After straightening the body so the new condenser would fit, I was sure to use the proper compressor oil and triple checked everything. The compressor cost about $400 plus $175 for the condenser, I didn't want to mess any of that up. I added Hybrid oil and freon and the compressor never kicked in, the cooling fans never kicked in either. I double checked the fuses and relays then had another mechanic come in behind me and check them again. Bypassing one of the relays both of the cooling fans work on low speed, bypassing the other, the one fan on the passenger side works on high speed, bypassing another relay the clutch kicks in on the compressor. So it seems as though every individual part works they just are not working together. I have spend several hours on this and I am stumped, any ideas on what else I could check?
After straightening the body so the new condenser would fit, I was sure to use the proper compressor oil and triple checked everything. The compressor cost about $400 plus $175 for the condenser, I didn't want to mess any of that up. I added Hybrid oil and freon and the compressor never kicked in, the cooling fans never kicked in either. I double checked the fuses and relays then had another mechanic come in behind me and check them again. Bypassing one of the relays both of the cooling fans work on low speed, bypassing the other, the one fan on the passenger side works on high speed, bypassing another relay the clutch kicks in on the compressor. So it seems as though every individual part works they just are not working together. I have spend several hours on this and I am stumped, any ideas on what else I could check?
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 518 










Re: 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid New AC Compressor
Any fuses blown in any of the fuse boxes?
I'd probably grab the HDS scanner, see what the control units are doing and thinking.....
Are there any codes in any system in the car? I'd do an "all module code check" first. Solve any relevant codes.
Is the PCM seeing an AC request?
Is the PCM commanding the compressor relay on?
Is the MCM able to operate the HV part of the compressor?
I'd probably grab the HDS scanner, see what the control units are doing and thinking.....
Are there any codes in any system in the car? I'd do an "all module code check" first. Solve any relevant codes.
Is the PCM seeing an AC request?
Is the PCM commanding the compressor relay on?
Is the MCM able to operate the HV part of the compressor?
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 518 










Re: 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid New AC Compressor
Was there any damage to the AC pressure sensor or its wiring on the high side line?
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 518 










Re: 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid New AC Compressor
Is the thermal protector open circuit?
Have you checked all fuses in both fuseboxes?
I can only get about half of the info I need from the Honda site right now, for some reason....I can't get a wiring diagram for this car, dangit.....So I'll spit a mix of stuff from my memory and some info about non-hybrid cars.
There are variables, such as if the car has climate control or manual HVAC, and if it has Navigation (I don't think hybrids had manual AC). These might make a difference in troubleshooting.
A hybrid controlled compressor just throws more possibilities into the mix.
On the 12v controls side of things, since you already said you can bypass the relays to turn on the compressor and fans, then that tells me the PCM is not turning on the AC clutch for some reason.
This is where I would plug in a real scanner (HDS in my case) and see exactly what is going on with the various computer controls, starting with the PCM.
AC request (yes or no) and AC clutch (on or off) are the first things I look for in the PCM. If one of those is not as I expect, then I look for reasons why it might be that way.
If there is a request but the clutch is not being turned on, then the PCM is prohibiting that function for some reason, such as the engine is overheating, the thermal protector has gone open, or the pressure sensor says the pressure is out of operating range. And more.
If there is no request, then I start going "further back" to the rest of the controls, such as MICU and HVAC control unit. Wiring diagrams and knowledge/information of the relevant systems are the guides now.
------------------------------------
There are self diagnosis functions available for the climate control.
http://civic.hondafitjazz.com/A00/HTML/12/SNB6E12K71100000000BBAT20.html
This is just an example. This is not for your car, I didn't find a link the the correct info on the web that I could use. It is neither complete nor accurate for your car.
It looks like 9 additional codes for the Hybrid Civic (segment plus 'fresh' indicators, 5 add'l). The data displays are far different for a hybrid too, so you really cannot rely on the info linked above. You would need a real service manual for your specific car to go much further with this. (I can't link my info for you.)
Have you checked all fuses in both fuseboxes?
I can only get about half of the info I need from the Honda site right now, for some reason....I can't get a wiring diagram for this car, dangit.....So I'll spit a mix of stuff from my memory and some info about non-hybrid cars.
There are variables, such as if the car has climate control or manual HVAC, and if it has Navigation (I don't think hybrids had manual AC). These might make a difference in troubleshooting.
A hybrid controlled compressor just throws more possibilities into the mix.
On the 12v controls side of things, since you already said you can bypass the relays to turn on the compressor and fans, then that tells me the PCM is not turning on the AC clutch for some reason.
This is where I would plug in a real scanner (HDS in my case) and see exactly what is going on with the various computer controls, starting with the PCM.
AC request (yes or no) and AC clutch (on or off) are the first things I look for in the PCM. If one of those is not as I expect, then I look for reasons why it might be that way.
If there is a request but the clutch is not being turned on, then the PCM is prohibiting that function for some reason, such as the engine is overheating, the thermal protector has gone open, or the pressure sensor says the pressure is out of operating range. And more.
If there is no request, then I start going "further back" to the rest of the controls, such as MICU and HVAC control unit. Wiring diagrams and knowledge/information of the relevant systems are the guides now.
------------------------------------
There are self diagnosis functions available for the climate control.
http://civic.hondafitjazz.com/A00/HTML/12/SNB6E12K71100000000BBAT20.html
This is just an example. This is not for your car, I didn't find a link the the correct info on the web that I could use. It is neither complete nor accurate for your car.
It looks like 9 additional codes for the Hybrid Civic (segment plus 'fresh' indicators, 5 add'l). The data displays are far different for a hybrid too, so you really cannot rely on the info linked above. You would need a real service manual for your specific car to go much further with this. (I can't link my info for you.)
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
alexkharden
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
10
Apr 23, 2015 07:13 PM
jessicakaybby
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
5
Apr 20, 2015 12:11 PM
dooner24
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
1
Apr 14, 2015 07:51 PM





