Question/help: Why is my A/C compressor making a loud noise?

[Huluobo]

I was able to contact American Honda today for the AC humming noise. I spoke to the customer service line and was provided with a case# N012013-02-1501716. I was surprised that this # is different from what the Honda dealer obtained for me (#3299098) from Honda tech support line in June 2012. Maybe the tech line and the customer service use different numbers? Anyone has any blue?

[Huluobo]

Has anyone got any update from Honda for the fix to this AC noise? Has anyone figured out any better ideas to reduce this noise? Would you please share?

[mudbog]

Glad to see the experiment worked and thanks for being the guinea pig. I plan on applying the fix to mine when it gets a little warmer.

From your pics, it looks like you used a piece of open cell foam pipe insulation for the padding. You might want to try the neoprene type insulation. It's closed cell foam and may work a little better. Another alternative is to use some sort of gel padding (e.g. cut up a Doctor Scholl's gel insert).

[Huluobo]

Originally Posted by mudbog

Glad to see the experiment worked and thanks for being the guinea pig. I plan on applying the fix to mine when it gets a little warmer.

From your pics, it looks like you used a piece of open cell foam pipe insulation for the padding. You might want to try the neoprene type insulation. It's closed cell foam and may work a little better. Another alternative is to use some sort of gel padding (e.g. cut up a Doctor Scholl's gel insert).

The materials I used in the fix work include 2 things. I cut a piece off a foam type of floor mat (so it is not open cell type). I also cut a piece of rubber from an old floor mat previously used in my car. I used the cut rubber wrapping the cut foam and then wrapped the whole thing together onto the reservoir bracket and secured them with 2 pieces of zip tags. In addition, I still installed the rubber washers to the bolts securing the bracket. The last step is to attach the reservoir to the "protected" bracket with several zip tags so that everything is secured well and safe. This would be my temporary fix for the moment while waiting for any better ideas or a formal fix hopefully from Honda. I remember there was someone on this forum mentioned that he just used "home-made" rubber washers and fixed the problem 99%. I am interested in knowing how he did that but I was not able to relocate that text or ID anymore here. I guess he did not post any update there after.

[Huluobo]

I got an update from American Honda today for the "permanent fix" to the AC humming noise. My Honda Dealer called me yesterday and American Honda called me today. They told me about the same update- the formal fix will be soon released (possibly in 1 to 3 months) as their engineers are still working on that making sure the fix would be "permanent". This is what they told me but there is not a specific date for the release. Anyone got the same update from Honda too recently?

[mudbog]

That sounds kind of vague. Kind of like: Did I tell you I have a time machine. It's curently broken and is stuck on current time. It will be fixed sometime but I can't tell you when and I can't tell you how it works.

[Huluobo]

mudbog, I hear you and agree with you. I guess all we can do is to keep calling them every month. Other than that what else can we do?

I now have to put my "temporary fix" back to its original construction. I received a recall latter from Honda today regarding the driver side airbag issue on pilots 2009 -2013. I just don't want the dealer to say that my fix for the ac noise could void the warranty if they see it. It might be better for me to do the "temporary fix" again after the airbag recall work is done by the dealer.

[fl38]

After 6 months of fighting, I am finally done with my 2012 Pilot that makes (made) this obnoxious noise from the power steering pump. I succeeded in winning a Florida Lemon Law complaint, and Honda was forced to buy the car back from me. Glad to be done with this nightmare. Shame on Honda for not fulfilling their warranty obligations, and for handling this situation in the worst possible way. This was my third Honda in a row...will be my last.

[EXLerator]

2012 EXL 4WD. I have what appears to be the compressor / fan cycling with noticeable annoying hum and vibration every 10 seconds when its warm outside. It didn't happen all winter, but on the first warm day of spring the hum/vibration returned instantly. AC was off. Does the compressor turn itself on/off regardless of climate control settings? Or perhaps the second fan kicks in to cool the engine regardless of whether the AC compressor is on. In other words, maybe the AC compressor has nothing to do with it. Perhaps its just the second fan unit coming on/off that cause the vibration/hum. In any event, its bad and not acceptable. Will press the dealer on it next time I am in.

[peyton23]

Originally Posted by fl38

After 6 months of fighting, I am finally done with my 2012 Pilot that makes (made) this obnoxious noise from the power steering pump. I succeeded in winning a Florida Lemon Law complaint, and Honda was forced to buy the car back from me. Glad to be done with this nightmare. Shame on Honda for not fulfilling their warranty obligations, and for handling this situation in the worst possible way. This was my third Honda in a row...will be my last.

fl38, any details? Specifically what problems you had, what Honda did/didn't do, lawsuit, etc.,? It may help some of us out in the event that there isn't a fix soon and any of us decide to go the route that you did. Thanks!!

[split71]

Had my 2012 EX-L at the dealer for this issue. They said Honda is making new power steering and A/C brackets and they should be available in 6-8 weeks.

They'll call me when they are available...

[Keynote]

Originally Posted by split71

Had my 2012 EX-L at the dealer for this issue. They said Honda is making new power steering and A/C brackets and they should be available in 6-8 weeks.

They'll call me when they are available...

Is it just me or is Honda just being very lazy and slow. To take more than a year to address this issue is just ridicules not to mention design a car with this issue in more than one model year. How are they not catching things like this during testing and development.

[split71]

Update: After reading the repair order, they're updating the power steering reservoir mounting bracket only...they did talk to Honda Engineering and got a case number.

[fl38]

Originally Posted by peyton23

fl38, any details? Specifically what problems you had, what Honda did/didn't do, lawsuit, etc.,? It may help some of us out in the event that there isn't a fix soon and any of us decide to go the route that you did. Thanks!!

peyton23, I bought my 2012 Pilot 2WD Touring back in August 2012 and it exhibited the same behavior described several times in this thread. Before buying, I test drove two Pilots that didn't make this noise. I ended up having one delivered from another dealership to get the color/trim I wanted, though. On the drive home from the dealership, I heard the loud and annoying "moaning" sound when idling at stop lights. Of course, I wasn't too worried about it at the time because I figured Honda would just take care of it. I took it in to be fixed a couple days later, but they gave me the line: "American Honda is aware of the problem in some vehicles, but does not currently have a fix." This started a long process of dealing with the local service department, American Honda Customer Service, American Honda Mediation Department, and finally American Honda Legal Department. Their story all along was "we're working on a fix, we'll let you know when it's ready." For me, this was unacceptable: I didn't pay a significant sum of money for a new car that was annoying and embarrassing to drive. Fortunately, the Lemon Law process worked exactly like it should, and the arbitration board (after hearing the sound for themselves) ordered Honda to buy it back.

All along I simply wanted Honda to fix the problem, but they never once even attempted. They genuinely seemed surprised that someone stood up to them and didn't back down.

I will say, I've ridden or driven 5 different 2012/2013 Pilots now, and they all have what I consider somewhat noisy power steering, but there are varying degrees of noisy. Mine was certainly the worst of the 5. When the conditions were right, a resonance effect set in and it got loud. It only happened when it was hot outside (hotter than 75-80 degrees)...which means most of the time for me.

I would recommend looking into your state's lemon law. Usually the first step is just submitting a request for mediation form to document the problem and attempts to repair. Even if you don't take it any further, at least the complaint is getting registered outside of American Honda.

[Ckinchen]

I have been reading this message board since last year as I have the same issue. I had a 2011 Pilot Touring which did not make the noise, traded it in and got a 2012 Pilot Touring that does. It is very irritating. I live in Florida and I use my AC 98% of the time. The dealership did replace the fan initially, and I took it back, then Honda said that they were aware of the problem and working on a fix. As many of you I paid over 40K for a car that irritates me when I hear that nose (love otherwise).
When I did my oil change I gave the dealership great reviews, but Honda bad (it is ridiculous that this is going on for a year). The dealership called me because of the review and called Honda for me. I have not called Honda myself as looking at these posts shows no update.
So should I call Honda directly? I assume if the dealership called they have a record of my car. Is there a phone number I should use?
I live in Florida and I wonder if I should just go ahead and do what FL38 did and file a complaint? Is that a long/time consuming process?
It sounds from the last few posts there may be a solution around the corner, not sure. I don't look forward to our Florida hot summers and this noise :-).
Thanks!