You can perform a Honda Accord climate control reset by turning your ignition on and holding the defrost and OFF buttons until the light has blinked five times.

Written by Bonnie Stinson

Edited by Pat Roache

Updated on Jan 31, 2024

Table of Contents

Honda Accord climate control reset instructions
Other reasons your Honda Accord A/C may not be working
How to diagnose a Honda Accord climate control malfunction

To reset a malfunctioning Honda Accord climate control system, turn on accessory mode, then hold the defrost and OFF buttons on your climate control unit until the light has blinked five times.

A manual Honda Accord climate control reset will only work if the malfunctioning HVAC is due to an electrical problem.
If a climate control reset doesn’t fix your Accord’s HVAC issues, you’re likely dealing with a non-electrical problem that requires a more serious
car repair
.
Honda Accord owners can diagnose their car’s specific automatic climate control issue with an OBD scanner or by taking their car to a professional mechanic.

MORE:

How to lower your Honda Accord insurance costs

Honda Accord climate control reset instructions

A Honda Accord climate control reset should get your HVAC back to normal if the AC system is malfunctioning due to an electrical problem.

Here’s how to reset the HVAC system with your Accord’s A/C controls:

Turn the car off.

Turn the ignition on (but not the engine) by turning the keys in the ignition to position two, or the ACC/ACCESSORY position.

Find the defrost button and the OFF button on the climate control panel. Then, press and hold the OFF button while simultaneously pressing the defrost button. The light should go on and off five times.

Release the OFF button once the light has blinked five times.

Test your air conditioning system’s A/C and hot air to find out if it worked.

If this doesn’t fix your Accord’s climate control malfunction, you may need to replace a fuse, a motor, or the compressor. Use an

OBD scan tool

or take your vehicle to a certified mechanic for a specific diagnosis.

Other reasons your Honda Accord A/C may not be working

Not all problems can be solved with the Accord’s basic A/C controls. Here are seven additional factors that may be contributing to your vehicle’s AC failure.

Low refrigerant:

The simplest reason that your Honda Accord can’t produce cold air is that the refrigerant levels are low.

What to do: If you select A/C mode but warm air comes out, then it might be time to get an

A/C recharge

Control panel not working due to a blown fuse:

A blown fuse is a more common problem among older Accords where the AC fan won’t blow cold air. You’ll know it’s a control panel issue because the lights on the control panel will not illuminate.

What to do: Check fuse #13 or fuse #30 and

replace the burnt-out fuse

if necessary.

Faulty circuit:

When you press a button or turn a knob, the circuit is supposed to send that information via the control panel to the proper part. If the wiring or circuit board is damaged, the signal can’t get through.

What to do: You’ll need a skilled mechanic who can solder to fix this relay problem. This could cost several hundreds of dollars

A/C compressor failure:

Key signs of compressor failure include leaking coolant, cracks in the compressor, and weak airflow from the vents.

What to do: Confirm that all power connections are stable to and from the compressor and that there is enough coolant. If the

AC compressor

is damaged, it’s best to replace it completely.

Blower motor problems:

Perhaps your AC unit is capable of producing cold air but the

blower motor

simply isn’t pushing it through the vents.

What to do: Check the wiring and fuses to ensure it has a stable connection and test the motor with an independent power source. If you cannot switch the fan speed from high to low, you’ll need to replace the transistor.

Fan problems:

You may have a problem with the temperature sensors if your fan is continuously on.

What to do: Check the fan switch and fan timer module located in the driver’s side footwell. You can replace each part for about $40.

A/C clutch is not engaging:

The

A/C clutch

may squeal if it’s not working properly. You may also notice warm air when the A/C is turned on.

What to do: Start by checking the clutch fuse, then check the A/C clutch coils, clutch plate, and pulley. This process varies by model year so you may want to ask a trained mechanic for help.

Blend door actuator malfunction

If your Accord’s A/C is working on one side of the vehicle but not the other, then you may have a faulty blend door actuator. This is a motor that controls the vents and manages airflow.

What to do: Replace the part completely if it’s damaged—and make sure nothing is blocking your vents!

How to diagnose a Honda Accord climate control malfunction

Climate control module issues are notoriously tricky to diagnose—especially without pulling apart your Honda Accord’s A/C system. There are two safe ways to diagnose a Honda Accord climate control malfunction:

Use an OBD (on-board diagnostics) scan tool: You can buy an OBD scanner online or from your local auto supply shop. Connect the OBD to your car’s computer to reveal a specific trouble code for a more accurate diagnosis.

Bring your Accord to a

skilled mechanic

for diagnosis: Make sure you ask about HVAC training and certifications, as A/C refrigerant requires special expertise.