Air Conditioner Compressor and Condenser failure

ANDREW LANDERS

MEMBER
2017 HONDA CIVIC
1.8L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
45,000 MILES

Dealer service shop diagnosed chronic A/C issues as a failed condenser and compressor (after 3 other visits where problem was undiagnosed and only fix was an add of coolant). Condenser has been recalled and warranty has been extended but the mechanic claims the compressor failure/damage could not have been caused by the condenser fail and will cost $2,000.00+ to replace. Is it possible that the condenser failure did in fact cause damage to require a replaced compressor?

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

I am thinking that you have these reversed. Meaning if the condenser was recalled and covered under warranty and that failed causing the failure to the compressor then the compressor would be covered as consequential damage.

However, the condenser does not fail and cause damage. It simply leaks and eventually the A/C starts blowing warm.

What I suspect happened if the condenser is recalled that the compressor came apart and put metal all through the system which is clogged the condenser. This means the root cause is the compressor which is not covered under the recall and you would be charged for it.

In order to figure this out we need to check the pressures and confirm the compressor is not functioning and if that is the case then the compressor would be the part that caused all this. Here are some guides that will help with this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/re-charge-an-air-conditioner-system

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-air-conditioner-not-working-or-is-weak

Below you will find a chart of pressures and possible causes.

Please let us know what you find with this or if they provided the pressures for you.

Thanks

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