2018 Honda CR-V Climate Control Reset

If you’re having trouble with your 2018 Honda CR-V’s climate control, you’ll need to reset your A/C system. We’ll teach you how to fix and ID the problem here.
Written by Natalie Todoroff
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Is your 2018 Honda CR-V climate control system having issues? If it’s an electrical problem, you’ll need to reboot the HVAC system by pressing and holding a couple of buttons on your dashboard. 
Having your A/C sputter out—or worse, blow piping hot air—is the last thing you want when you get behind the wheel of your 2018 Honda CR-V on a hot day. Before you stuff your car full of ice packs and resort to rolling down the windows, check out this step-by-step guide on how to reset your 2018 Honda CR-V climate control system from
Jerry
, the
car repair
expert. 
And once you're done taking care of your climate control problems, we’ll show you how to use our app to lower your
Honda CR-V insurance costs
so you can pad your budget for future repairs!  
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2018 Honda CR-V climate control reset instructions 

Your vehicle is full of all kinds of tubes, fluids, gears, and other parts. You may not often think about the internal computer system that controls your Honda CR-V’s HVAC system. And, just like when your desktop, laptop, or cell phone starts going haywire, the best solution is usually to reset it by turning it off and turning it back on again
It’s super easy to do! Here’s how. 
Step one: Turn off your Honda’s engine. 
Step two: Place your keys in the ignition and turn them to position II. In this position, your engine is off, but you’re still able to use the radio, windshield wipers, etc. 
Step three: Press and hold the “OFF” button on your climate control system. At the same time, press and hold the “DEFROST” button. Keep holding both buttons until the light on the “DEFROST” blinks 5 times. 
Step four: Release both buttons.
Following these steps should reboot the electrical component of your HVAC system. But, if that doesn’t work, you’ll have to do a little more digging. 

Other reasons your 2018 Honda CR-V A/C isn’t working 

The steps above can help you solve an electrical problem—but that’s the not only reason your A/C could fail. Your electrical system could actually be just fine, and the issue could be something else entirely. Here’s a list of some other usual culprits that cause 2018 Honda Cr-V climate control problems. 

Coolant leak 

This is the most common cause of Honda CR-V climate control problems. Your HVAC system circulates liquid coolant through a series of coils that cool the air blowing through them, giving you a refreshing breeze on a hot day. If there’s a leak in your coolant reservoir, the air blowing through your A/C vents will either not feel cold, or even warm. 
With 2018 CR-Vs, the leak is most often caused by
low pressure in the A/C hose
, often caused by a loose connection. That, or there could be a problem with the
cooling radiator fan motor
or the water pump. 

Broken air conditioner compressor 

The
A/C compressor
is the core of your car’s HVAC system. Your Honda’s air conditioner compressor is full of small bearings that work to cool down the air blowing out of your vents. If these bearings are worn out or defective, the coolant will not be able to circulate as efficiently, which causes coolant leaks.  
Hearing strange noises when you turn on your A/C system points to a problem with your air conditioner compressor. That, and if the air blowing out of the passenger side of the vehicle is warm when it’s set to cold. If this happens, you’ll likely have to get your entire HVAC system replaced. 

Worn-out compressor clutch 

This is another popular issue among Honda owners. If the compressor clutch wears out, which it’s prone to do on the 2018 CR-V, it will prevent your entire HVAC system from working. 

Blocked air condenser 

Over time, dirt can accumulate in your air condenser, which can also affect your HVAC system’s performance. Cleaning out the water tank condenser and the orifice tube at the start and end of each season (especially summer and fall) can help prevent this.

How to diagnose a 2018 Honda CR-V climate control malfunction

These are just some of the most common things that cause 2018 Honda CR–V climate control problems. The cause could be something as simple as a clogged air filter or blown fuse, or it could be something more complex (and expensive) to fix like a broken blower motor. 
Before you can solve the problem, though, you’ll need to be able to identify what caused it. Instead of taking a wild guess, if you
OBD understand car OBD codes
, you can use an onboard diagnostics (OBD) scan tool to pinpoint the exact issue.
HVAC systems are wildly complex. If you don’t have an OBD reader on hand, you should
take your car to a mechanic
—but make sure you take it to someone who specializes in HVAC systems and is properly trained and certified. 
MORE: Are Hondas expensive to maintain?   

How to keep 2018 Honda CR-V insurance costs low 

If you weren’t able to reset your 2018 Honda CR-V’s climate control system yourself, you probably have to take it to a mechanic to get it repaired. While it’s great to have your A/C blowing cool air again, you’ll also have to pay your mechanic's bill. And, for HVAC repair, you would have to pay anywhere between $50 and $300. 
With more money coming out of your pocket towards vehicle-related expenses, how the heck are you supposed to get more money back in? Easy: download
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