A/C blowing warm on drivers side, ice cold on passenger side?

Tiny
KORY FISHER
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 HONDA ACCORD
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 111,000 MILES
Okay, I really need some help and I would like to thank you in advance to any and everyone that responds.

My issue is the driver's side is blowing out hot compared to passenger side. It isn’t really hot, but it is only cold when it is dark, raining, or not that hot outside. It seems as if the recirculating button isn’t working on that side.

I have done so much reading online and the only things I can find would be, the system needs charging (I checked it, and the Freon pressure is perfect) or the blend door actuator. I bought a brand new one and replaced it even though when I ran self-diagnostics (holding recirculation button while pressing rear defrost button 5 times while key is turned to, on position) it did not give me any DTC error.

After swapping the new part out, I ran the self-test again and it gave me error code 3. So, I disconnected and realigned the blend door actuator to the correct position and ran self-diagnostics again, this time no error! So, I thought it was fixed.

Of course, being my luck, the A/C is still the exact same, blowing ice cold out of passenger and warm to cool air out of driver's side, depending on temperature outside.

The only thing I have noticed, even before replacing it with a new part, when I press the Max Cool button, the blower does not seem to blow any harder like it used to before it messed up.

I read something about recalibrating the blend door after working on it, such as removing HVAC fuse or disconnecting battery. I couldn’t find anything related to my model, but I figured the self-diagnostics would have calibrated it as well though.

Freon is perfect range and replacing blend door has not fixed the issue. The defective/original part didn’t display any error during self-diagnosis, but I decided to replace it anyway because the only thing I can find online was the blend door actuator or low-level Freon and the Freon checked out perfect. I can see it moving right, the self-diagnostics test and it does not display an error. Only other thing I noticed is that before it started acting up (it would quit working temporarily until it completely stopped blowing cold out of driver's side) was when I pressed Max Cool, the fan bled much harder but not it didn’t seem to do anything different.

If anyone has an idea of what to try or exactly what might be causing this issue, please I would appreciate any advice at this point. I live in Alabama and this month of August is going to be even hotter than the rest of summer. So, I need to fix this ASAP!
Saturday, August 6th, 2022 AT 1:15 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

This is a problem that I have been trying to find an answer for myself. I found many comments conducting research about the A/C system working okay or good on the passenger side but not on the driver's side. In almost every case I read the reason was simply not enough refrigerant charge in the A/C system. The A/C system had enough refrigerant to cool the passenger side but not enough to provide enough reduced air temperatures to travel farther to the driver's side.

Now, if you have an issue like this dealing with the heater, flush the heater core and the radiator at the same time. However, I don't suspect you want heat right now. LOL

Can you let me know both the high-pressure and low-pressure reading when the system is on? Also, I need to know the ambient temperature when it's checked.

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, August 6th, 2022 AT 9:39 PM
Tiny
KORY FISHER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I wasn’t able to check the exact readings because I was just using the ACPro ACP-100 Ultra Synthetic R-134a Car Refrigerant Kit with gauge. It was just barely in the green zone so even though it said don’t bother adding any of it is in that zone at all, I still just added a tiny bit, so it was just above 30 PSI.

I read today to check the cabin filter, evap, and condenser. So, after checking the cabin filter (which I had no clue it even existed until today), it was extremely clogged. I got excited thinking that was my issue but after removing and running the A/C without filter (just to test until I can get new filter), it didn’t change the temperature coming out of driver side vents, but it did increase the air coming out of the vent, dramatically! So, I did get some improvement on that front. I’m going to be checking to see if the evap needs to be cleaned, especially due to the cabin filter being so clogged. Hopefully I can clean it without removing it completely.
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Sunday, August 7th, 2022 AT 5:42 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

Absolutely, check it. As far as the pressure you had on the low side, 30 PSI, I need to know what the outside temperature was when you had that reading. If it was warmer than 70 degrees, you are likely low on refrigerant.

Let me know what you find and what the temperature was.

Take care,

Joe
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Sunday, August 7th, 2022 AT 9:27 PM
Tiny
KORY FISHER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Sorry, I have been busy but I’m attaching pictures of the reading on the low side. I have no way to check high pressure. It is 93° with 50% humidity and heat index off 102°. I’m going to a attach pictures of temperature coming out of vents later.
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Monday, August 8th, 2022 AT 2:28 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

That is good for the low-pressure side at the temps you mentioned. The problem is this. Without knowing the high-pressure side, I have no idea if there is something plugged providing a false reading on the low side. Have you tried contacting a parts store to see if they have an A/C manifold kit they lend out?

See pic below.

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, August 8th, 2022 AT 9:33 PM
Tiny
KORY FISHER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yeah, I understand what you mean now. The evaporator coil could have a partial clog or something similar. No, I haven’t checked with AutoZone. I know what they are I’ve done maintenance on my life and serviced HVAC just never on a car too much other than putting refrigerant in. Okay, check around to see what I can find.
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Tuesday, August 9th, 2022 AT 12:37 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

Wow, that is a big difference. Basically, nothing from the driver's side gradually improves across the dash.

Let me know if you are able to get your hands on the gauges.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, August 9th, 2022 AT 12:41 PM

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