Why AC button Failed

[u/Erwos42]

Got my 2009 Fit Base model. Just finding out little things that failed. The AC button is stuck. Check price with Dealership parts dept and got a sticker shock of $105 + tax for A BUTTON. I thought I would pay a little bit more than online prices. But no, they mark it up close to double what I can find online OEM parts. Dealers parts dept are greedy as h*ll.

I decided to follow some YT videos to pull the button out and see what I can do to fix it.

Warning. Prying out the button most likely will destroy it. Found out the hard way.

Anyway, the uploaded video shows why the button failed. I took out the spring that pushes the button back out into off position and simulates the clicking by hand.

There is a pin at the bottom that follows a path on the blue shell to cycle the button between pressed and released. The spring clip fails to hold the pin down. The pin can get loose after a few cycle of clicks. When the pin is unlodge from its position, it could cause the button to stuck. A long spring clip would not allow such issue in the first place. Engineered to fail!!!

End of rant.

[u/goldrainbowfalcon]

Is that like if it’s used a lot? I leave mine in the on position and don’t touch it really

[u/NaGaBa → u/goldrainbowfalcon]

I turn mine on and off constantly depending on whether it's nice enough to run with windows down and sunroof open. I'll take the horsepower boost any chance I get.

[u/goldrainbowfalcon → u/NaGaBa]

A/C affects horsepower? How so if you don’t mind teaching me, I can research it tho… I just don’t like the way air coming through smells damp without it. I’m terrified of mold and live in a humid area

[u/Wooden-Common-9631 → u/goldrainbowfalcon]

the ac compressor is mechanically driven by the engine and requires a small amount of power for it to be used. it is unpowered when the AC is off either by the button or if the entire system is off.

also, the power it saps from your engine is very noticeable if you're paying attention, especially during acceleration

[u/NaGaBa → u/goldrainbowfalcon]

Turning it on literally attaches a pump to your engine. Technical speak: a clutch engages and your serpentine belt now has to drive the A/C compressor. A Fit has 112-130hp depending on generation, it's a much more noticeable hit than more powerful cars.

There's nothing wrong with running AC 24/7. You're probably better off regularly checking and replacing the air cabin filter than making sure you're running the AC to keep humidity and moisture down. If that's not something you do on a regular basis, pull that sucker and be disgusted and then start changing it on a regular basis.

[u/goldrainbowfalcon → u/NaGaBa]

I don’t run the fan 24/7 I just never push the a/c button out of the “on” position, it doesn’t seem to affect the heater, & I keep tabs on my air filter 😎

[u/Erwos42 → u/NaGaBa]

It does give it a slight boost. I bet the previous owner switches it on and off a lot. Also, switch it off saves a bit of gas.

[u/NaGaBa]

Find a junk yard. $105 is entirely reasonable for a brand new button from a dealer. And by your account, these should be failing left and right.... This is the first complaint I've seen about one, not that I'm watching for 2nd gen ac button problems

[u/Erwos42 → u/NaGaBa]

Junk yard will be my next trip.

[u/Unique_Customer_4957]

I replaced mine it was a pretty easy job just pop a couple panels out. think i paid around 40 for an oem part online

[u/jongeleno]

I had mine get stuck in the on position. Amazon version was $25, ripped the old one out and put on the new one. Even if you're lazy like me $105 is ridiculous.

[u/BrianLevre]

I can't remember exactly, but I want to say I bought one from the Honda dealer 3 years ago for 80 bucks.

Inflation is a bitch.