A/C quit blowing cold after radio replaced?

BRIAN BARLOW

MEMBER
2006 HONDA ACCORD
3.2L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
170,000 MILES

I had my factory radio replaced with a touchscreen new radio android. Everything was working fine and after about a week I was sitting in the car it was a very hot day out and the AC was not working anymore. It blows hot air. The compressor doesn't turn on but I had the compressor part checked by pros and it's fine. So when sitting on a hot day I noticed some smoke starting to come from behind the new radio on the driver's side at the top of the radio area. I removed and uninstalled the radio within 3-5 minutes of seeing this and checked for fire etc. I didn't see any noticeable burnt wires or anything. The smell (smelled like something melted at least) went away but. The new radio quit working altogether no radio no AC function when it was in. The original radio and AC control was installed. The radio part works, but the buttons light up in the AC area (dual AC control model) but don't do anything. It just blows hot no matter what button I try and nothing changes. I've been rolling with it this way because I felt I was getting ripped off at the shop I took it to so now I'm trying to get an idea of what it might be and or what tools or scanner I could use to pinpoint where the electrical issue is possibly? I've attached photos of what I have found after digging around and watching some YouTube things but looking for better info perhaps?

Friday, September 13th, 2024 AT 4:15 PM

7 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,144 POSTS

I don't see the images can you try again? It definitely sounds like the wiring is the problem. The first things I would do is repair the burnt wiring and then start checking fuses, here is a guide to help and the use location as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response of any problems so we can see what to help you with.

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Saturday, September 14th, 2024 AT 6:57 PM

BRIAN BARLOW

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Let me know if you need any more information also would this be an issue you think that would cause me not to have heat or something in the winter? I'm about to not need the air conditioning pretty soon but I will need the heat It wasn't sure if you thought that your situation could flip flop since it's hot outside and it reads in seven to 14° on my dash and it's 90° outside could the opposite happen in the winter if it's cold the car register something like could be hot outside and it won't turn the heat on or something? Just something I thought of last minute.

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Monday, September 16th, 2024 AT 5:03 PM

BRIAN BARLOW

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6 POSTS

I see that one of my messages, the first reply I gave you, didn't go through, but it looks like the photos did now.
First, I wanted to thank you again for reply I did check the fuses they appear fine.

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Monday, September 16th, 2024 AT 5:04 PM

BRIAN BARLOW

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Should I go via rental of those multi-tools to check the current and actually check the voltage of the amps on the fuses because I just did it by I and none of them are blown but that's all I was able to tell.
I'm going to call the shop that worked on my car last but I can do that tomorrow and ask him whereabouts they got into the AC repairs that I took it in for because I didn't have them finish it because they were taking too long and I thought I think ripping me off. But they did tell me it was not the compressor that was two to three months ago, but they had to check or track down a relay or something? I was thinking maybe that actuator could be the issue because it's making a whining noise it's in one of my videos that I sent to you but it's in the I think it's behind the glove box to the right of the radio somewhere is where this noise is coming from. And then with me doing high test of the fuses and the radio working having power to everything in there what would be some next steps or process I could start while I wait to get a hold of the shop I really want to try and get some information or something lock down that I think it might be or that we know it is even if I can't make the repairs because I want to be better equipped when I take it to the shop or if dealing with these people again I don't want them to try and take advantage of me and I want to know more if possible.

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Monday, September 16th, 2024 AT 5:07 PM

BRIAN BARLOW

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Could this possibly be the air ambient outside temperature high in the bumper since it's reading a different temperature way drastically different on my dash than it is outside?

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Monday, September 16th, 2024 AT 5:07 PM

BRIAN BARLOW

MEMBER
6 POSTS

They didn't check this when I took it to them they actually told me that they'd never heard of that and that there's it wouldn't need that something like that air ambient sensor that wouldn't do this to my AC but I believe it could and it would based on the symptoms that I have maybe?

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Monday, September 16th, 2024 AT 5:08 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,144 POSTS

The wiring looks okay thanks for the images and video. I think you are on the right track with the ambient air temperature sensor. Here is the location of the sensor so you can swap it out to see if anything changes. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.

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