Heating/air Conditioning: Other Honda Element I

A/C Service Tips and Precautions

The air conditioning system uses HFC-134a (R-134a) refrigerant and polyalkyleneglycol (PAG) refrigerant oil, which are not compatible with CFC-12 (R-12) refrigerant and mineral oil. Do not use R-12 refrigerant or mineral oil in this system, and do not attempt to use R-12 servicing equipment; damage to the air conditioning system or your servicing equipment will result. Use only service equipment that is U.L.-listed and is certified to meet the requirements of SAE J2210 to remove R-134a from the air conditioning system.

If accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate work area before resuming service.

R-134a service equipment or vehicle air conditioning systems should not be pressure tested or leak tested with compressed air.

Additional health and safety information may be obtained from the refrigerant and lubricant manufacturers.

1. Always disconnect the negative cable from the battery whenever replacing air conditioning parts.
2. Keep moisture and dirt out of the system. When disconnecting any lines, plug or cap the fittings immediately; don't remove the caps or plugs until just before you reconnect each line.
3. Before connecting any hose or line, apply a few drops of refrigerant oil to the O-ring.
4. When tightening or loosening a fitting, use a second wrench to support the matching fitting.
5. When discharging the system, use an R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging station; don't release refrigerant into the atmosphere.

Max Cool Position Function

When the mode control dial is in the MAX A/C position, the heater control panel will automatically select the Recirculation mode and turn the A/C on. The recirculation switch and A/C switch are disabled and cannot be turned off in this mode. If the control panel fails to function as described, replace it.

With Air Conditioning

The dust and pollen filters should be replaced every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years whichever comes first. Replace the filters more often if the airflow is less than usual, or if the vehicle is driven in areas that have high concentrations of soot from industry or diesel powered vehicles.

Scheme 97

Scheme 98

1. Open the glove box. Remove the glove box stop on each side, then hang the glove box down (see «GLOVE BOX REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(ref-220597-S26723889242006022100000) ).
2. Remove the filter lid (A) from the blower unit, then pull out the first dust and pollen filter (B). Slide the second filter to the left, and pull it out.
3. Remove the filter (A) from the housing (B), and replace the filter.
4. Install the filters in the reverse order of removal.

Scheme 99

Scheme 100

Scheme 101

Scheme 102

1. Remove the passenger's dashboard under cover (see «PASSENGER'S DASHBOARD UNDER COVER REMOVAL/INS»(ref-220597-S09489166792006022100000) ), the passenger's kick panel (see «TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - DOOR AREAS»(ref-220595-S41722068182006022100000) ), and the glove box (see «GLOVE BOX REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(ref-220597-S26723889242006022100000) ).
2. Cut the plastic cross brace in the glove box opening with diagonal cutters in the area shown. Remove and discard the plastic cross brace.
3. Remove the relays (A) and the wire harness clip (B), then remove the bolts and the glove box frame (C).
4. Remove the ECM/PCM (see «ECM/PCM REPLACEMENT»(ref-220570-S29077717572006022000000) ).
5. Disconnect the connectors (A) from the blower motor, the power transistor, and the recirculation control motor, then remove the wire harness clips (B).
6. Fold the floor covering and pad back toward you. Remove the mounting bolts, the mounting nut, and the blower unit.
7. Install the unit in the reverse order of removal. Make sure that there is no air leakage.

Refrigerant Recovery

Use only service equipment that is U.L.-listed and is certified to meet the requirements of SAE J2210 to remove HFC-134a (R-134a) from the air conditioning system.

If accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate work area before resuming service.

Additional health and safety information may be obtained from the refrigerant and lubricant manufacturers.

Scheme 103

1. Connect an R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging station (A) to the high-pressure service port (B) and the low-pressure service port (C), as shown, following the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
2. Measure the amount of refrigerant oil removed from the A/C system after the recovery process is completed. Be sure to put the same amount of new refrigerant oil back into the A/C system before charging.

System Evacuation

Use only service equipment that is U.L-listed and is certified to meet the requirements of SAE J2210 to remove HFC-134a (R-134a) from the air conditioning system.

If accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate work area before resuming service.

Additional health and safety information may be obtained from the refrigerant and lubricant manufacturers.

Scheme 104

1. When an A/C system has been opened to the atmosphere, such as during installation or repair, it must be evacuated using an R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging station. (If the system has been open for several days, the receiver/dryer should be replaced, and the system should be evacuated for several hours.)
2. Connect an R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging station (A) to the high-pressure service port (B) and the low-pressure service port (C), as shown, following the equipment manufacturer's instructions. Evacuate the system.
3. If the low-pressure does not reach more than 93.3 kPa (700 mmHg, 27.6 in.Hg) within 15 minutes, there is probably a leak in the system. Partially charge the system, and check for leaks (see step 3 ).

System Charging

Use only service equipment that is U.L.-listed and is certified to meet the requirements of SAE J2210 to remove HFC-134a (R-134a) from the air conditioning system.

If accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate work area before resuming service.

Additional health and safety information may be obtained from the refrigerant and lubricant manufacturers.

Scheme 105

1. Connect an R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging station (A) to the high-pressure service port (B) and the low-pressure service port (C), as shown, following the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
2. Evacuate the system (see «SYSTEM EVACUATION»(ref-220611-S10203300372006022100000) ).
3. Add the same amount of new refrigerant oil to the system that was removed during recovery. Use only DENSO ND-OIL 8 refrigerant oil.
4. Charge the system with the specified amount of R-134a refrigerant. Do not overcharge the system; the A/C compressor will be damaged. Select the appropriate units of measure for your refrigerant charging station. Refrigerant Capacity: 500 to 550 g 0.50 to 0.55 kg 1.10 to 1.21 lbs 17.6 to 19.4 oz
5. Check for refrigerant leaks (see «REFRIGERANT LEAK TEST»(ref-220611-S41884109412006022100000) ).
6. Check for system performance (see «PERFORMANCE TEST»(ref-220611-S39160531932006022100000) ).