Save $1000 - replace your AC Compressor Clutch on 2009 Honda Fit

All links referenced in the video are noted below:
One hot summer day last July I was driving my 2009 Honda Fit. It was a 95° day and on the first part of my trip everything was working great and the AC was blowing cold. On my way back, however, I suddenly hear a slight clank in the lower passenger area and my AC stops working shortly after. That made the remaining hour drive hot and sweaty, and not in a good way!
I went to get a few estimates and most shops wanted to replace the entire AC compressor with an after market unit for $1000, or with the OEM unit for $1800. Since the AC had been working very strongly right before it failed, these seemed like extreme options. I didn't like the idea of replacing my good OEM compressor that came from Honda with an aftermarket part that could put me in a failure cycle every few years. And so I did some research.
The first thing I found was another KZbin video indicating that the clutch could be bad.
• 2009 Honda Fit engine ...
Then I spent some time reading Honda forums and found someone mentioning that with Honda's, it's rare for the compressor to fail and instead it's usually just the clutch and field coil which need to be replaced. I used the following guide to troubleshoot the clutch - first I tested the field coil, then I tested the clutch gap, and finally I checked the bearing. Note that this link is for a Honda CRV, but everything seemed to be similar to my 2009 Fit.
Fit Freak Forum Link:
www.fitfreak.n...
Honda TSB Link:
f01.justanswer...
Troubleshooting AC Compressor Clutch:
• How to Diagnose and Re...

You can see that after I installed the new clutch everything worked perfectly. I know I skipped quite a few of the steps involved but there are a few Honda videos out that that cover the clutch replacement in more detail.
• Honda Civic AC Clutch ...
I have a couple final thoughts to share with everyone. First, I'd recommend using original Honda parts if you can. They cost a lot more, for example the CLUTCH replacement kit was $360 brand new compared to $50 if you buy a cheap replacement eBay or Amazon. However, I've learned over time that the OEM parts perform exactly the same as I'm used to so I want to spend the money for the quality. They will last longer. In this case I got lucky with finding a junkyard replacement with such low miles, so I'd recommend checking that route first if you're on a budget.
Also, some people have mentioned that finding the right-sized snap ring pliers was a challenge. I've included a link to the Tekton pliers below:
www.amazon.com...

Good luck to everyone and let me know if you have any questions in the comments below.

[@johnpefley597]

Thanks for your hard research for us saved me a lot of time pushing 373,333 miles on stock motor and stock transmission of course a few clutch’s but all stock best car ever 2007 Honda Fit

[@narianu0]

I love it, thanks for the feedback. Is your original AC compressor still cranking away at 373k miles??

[@johnpefley597]

@@narianu0 it’s on it’s second one it’s in need of a 3rd one iv done all the work ok the car myself oil changes every 3k

[@SteelButterscotch]

Hey man, the video is fantastic but thank you for including in the description all of the resources you utilized! Many of us are assembling information from the same sources and it really helps to see that others have sourced their information similarly and been successful!

[@mnguyen1224]

2013 Honda Fit driven year round in the rust belt. Solenoid coil wasn’t working. Tested resistance on the car and it didn’t even register. Tested all fuses and relays which were fine. Clutch spun freely. Decided to get the eBay clutch kit instead of OEM since our fit has 170k on it. Ordered from import parts direct and it works great so far. I ripped my serpentine belt on removal so had to pay full price for a gates belt locally (buy one off Amazon in advance!). I used a 19mm wrench and zip tied it in place to get the tensioner loose. I used a c clamp to pinch the clutch to the pulley and used a normal socket to get the 14mm nut off. I did not remove the compressor mounting bolts like you see in the civic videos. I used the icon snap ring 8 piece set from harbor freight. Worked perfectly and they are really nice looking and include a case. Also lifetime warranty. I also used the harbor freight 3 piece pulley puller set. I used the middle size and it worked fine. I could not get the Phillips head ground screw out so I cut it right where it exits the old solenoid coil so I had plenty of wire length to splice it to the new coil wire. Harbor freight has really nice marine heat shrink kits. The kit came with 2 washers. I tried 1 and it locked up to the pulley right away. Tried 2 and the gap was over 0.7mm. Didn’t try it. I ended up using one of the new washers and the one old washer and it was perfect. Use a glob of grease to hold them in place while you mount the clutch and tighten the bolt. Mounted it all up and it works. The only notable thing was that the resistance of the coil I bought was 4. So that’s a bit out of spec from Honda’s 3.1-3.5. It works. So I don’t know. Hopefully this fix holds up! $100 for the eBay ac clutch kit. Vs $400+ for Honda oem new. $70 for the icon snap ring set (you can just buy the knipex 4611a2 or 4911a2 for $25). But Ill need the set soon to service my MTB suspension. I like the case too. $40 for a new gates belt. Should have bought it ahead for $18 on Amazon. Overall if it holds up ill be stoked.

[@devinm.ruddick559]

Great info, thank you!

[@markansas1337]

I was wondering about the washers/shims as well. Thanks for posting.

[@jennykelly4111]

Just an FYI, if your AC outright fails and stops working, you should continue with this video. If your AC works sometimes on your fit, or if you press the AC button a few times, go over a bump and it starts to work, or it just works on and off, look at replacing the relay.

[@AGoogleUser-sj3rh]

A feedback about the ground screw. I was able to remove it easily soaking it with penetrating fluid and then gently tap counterclockwise the attached bracket in order to get it loose. Then unscrew normally

[@will_and_rory]

Tip for people removing ground screw and it breaks or gets stuck. I just ended up cutting the cable off then with my new clutch kit, I cut the eyelet off the ground cable and put a bigger one on, then used one of the bolts out of the compressor face plate and used that to secure the new ground wire.

[@SadChadrick]

Great video, I appreciate the time you took on this. I have an 09 Fit that the AC quit working. I believe that the clutch went out and am in the process of replacing it. Im going with an aftermarket compressor and new clutch. I also think that there was a puncture on the condenser that could have also caused the problem. I picked a rock out of the condenser and it was clear that it had punctured the fins. In addition to replacing the compressor with an aftermarket one, I am replacing the condenser and will be installing a mesh screen on the bumper cover to protect the condenser from any rock damage.

[@narianu0]

Good luck with all that!

[@SadChadrick]

@@narianu0 thanks so much! I love this silly little car. My kids all yell out "Honda Fit whassup!" whenever we see one on the road. It cracks me up.

[@LaplacianFourier]

Thank you for this video. Very helpful. I didn’t want to replace the whole compressor, just my bearing is bad. Your video is helpful. I wish you showed how to remove the bolt holding the clutch pack to the compressor.

[@narianu0]

Ah good point. I used an impact wrench to undo that bolt since the hammering action loosens it without spinning the whole clutch pack. Not sure how I'd tackle it without, maybe someone else on here might have a suggestion.

[@LaplacianFourier]

@@narianu0 I did with impact wrench too, no other easy way to do it haha. The problem came when putting it back on. I used impact wrench again and I couldn’t tell if it’s enough with it spinning, so I kept impacting and the nut and the rod snapped off! I just welded it because next time I’ll replace the AC, the whole compressor needs to go haha. Thanks again! 💪

[@narianu0]

@@LaplacianFourier lol nightmare scenario. Glad you had the welder though!

[@bemo9]

if anyone sees this and need to know, i used a wrench as a lever while ratcheting; laying it flat between the triangle of notches

[@sharonmaclennan890]

This is a superior video.

[@davidbrown3184]

This is an awesome video! Thanks for sharing with us.

[@narianu0]

Glad it was helpful to you!

[@veradellossantos4092]

I just got a honda fit 2007 and i am hering a whinning noise i was told the ac compressor or alternator its sounds alittle different then the sound you had but the more i press the gas as i am driving it gets louder

[@RedMango55]

Mine too needs replacing, 2008 Fit. I was quoted $1,100 including freon. Have ordered compressor on Amazon, will save a bundle and just pay for labour.

[@nameismetatoo4591]

Thanks for uploading this! My '09 Fit's AC is fine at the moment, but I live in FL and use it most days of the year, so it's nice to know what to look for when the compressor clutch inevitably fails. On a side note-my Fit is a manual and I find that driving in 1st gear with the AC running is kinda difficult. The drag on the engine means that if I ease off the gas too much, the compressor will cause the car to jolt until it hits idle RPM and the electronics take over to prevent it from stalling. I've also stalled a few times when the compressor engages at the exact moment I'm letting out the clutch pedal :/

[@narianu0]

Awesome! Mine is also manual and I haven't had trouble with that particular issue. I didn't realize the AC compressor causes that much drag on the engine!

[@nameismetatoo4591]

​@@narianu0 I didn't really have any problems with it until I had to get my clutch slave cylinder replaced a couple years ago (nothing like driving 8 miles of city streets with a clutch that can't fully engage). After the repair, the clutch felt much stiffer than it used to be and a whole lot more sensitive. It definitely improved the feel of the car and it's a lot more "grabby", but it can make it pretty hard to shift into 1st and 2nd. Sometimes it doesn't want to go into reverse unless I rev the engine up to 3000 or so (the stick feels like it's being blocked)

[@xxmouse440]

You freaking rock dude

[@narianu0]

Thanks, that made my day! Did you fix your issue?

[@StevieTheScotsman]

Excellent video...Thanks for posting ..Cheers Steve

[@dennischallenger6720]

Great vid, thanks for posting

[@tubbs2132]

Thanks for the explanation, I'm going to attempt this tomorrow. Do you remember if the bearing is built into the clutch assembly? Mine sounds like a box of rocks and I'm not sure whether I need to order that bit separately.

[@narianu0]

For me, the rattling crunchy sound was coming from the pulley/clutch bearing, so I believe the clutch assembly is all you'll need (assuming the field coil is good).

[@tubbs2132]

@@narianu0 Thanks. Mine is ridiculous, sounds exactly like piston slap. It's defo the compressor, hopefully just the clutch but I guess I'll find out.

[@ledertoug9]

Great video, thanks. My 22 year old son drives a 2009 Jazz/Fit, and the A/C stopped working, and the A/C unit makes quite a bit of noise. The local Honda shop wants USD 2000 to fix it, so currently, nothing has been done. As we live in Denmark, we don’t need A/C most of the year. Are there any smaller repairs/de-constructions we can do, to stop the noise (not having A/C is OK). Thanks in advance, Marcus and Christian

[@narayanawindenberger7396]

Unfortunately I don't have any expertise to share regarding this issue. Maybe you could check some of the forums out there.

[@benpearce6536]

Mine went out at 60k mile not sold on Honda parts there after market should do that good LOL

[@miaa4937]

I have a stupid question, do I have to change the compressor if its dead ? I mean would it damage my car to not fix it ????

[@williamh2094]

No you just won't have any A/C. A lot of people live without it.

[@miaa4937]

@@williamh2094 okay thanks. Well in my country we did not have ac so i will be fine

[@calimilk1113]

Nice job!!! Mine went out aswell found one on ebay, but it did the same thing even with the feeler guage at the same spec. Ughhhh any way thanks for all the info!!!!

[@narianu0]

Awesome, glad to hear the video helped you resolve the issue!

[@EdwardSantandrea]

Thanks for this, it worked on my 2008 Fit S. I was able to source the clutch new off ebay.

[@jamesmcfarland2648]

Great info. Thanx!

[@ngm8x]

My honda jazz /fit is making a terrible nose.from area of the car. Was your making a bad noise or.just the a.c. stopped working ? Local garage said the engine was knackered but I can't believe that myself as.the car has good oil levels and not gets driven hard

[@narayanawindenberger7396]

No, there was no excessive noise - for me the AC just stopped pumping out cool air.

[@maky4653]

How many shims did you add? My original had 1, new part came with 2. I have 2 on there and it sounds like metal rubbing together when the clutch is disengaged. Just weird since my OEM only had 1 shim. Did you have this issue?

[@narianu0]

I can't remember exactly, I think I used the original shims; but I made sure to remeasure the gap after I had completed it. Just measure the gap after installing the shims and adjust if necessary. There wasn't any metal rubbing sound after I completed installation, but remember that I replaced with an OEM part, so the shims would theoretically match perfectly.

[@Dman90]

How do u replace the bearing? Dose it come with the pulley or is set on the ac compressor spindle?

[@narianu0]

It's part of the pulley which comes off first, then the field coil.

[@darinhetman1931]

Do you think you can get the old bearing off without the puller? the pulley seems to be wobbling a little and I suspect a abad bearing. I have found multiple compressors for 75-100, used of course.

[@narianu0]

I think that would be very tough. You can usually borrow a clutch puller at any auto parts stores for no charge. That's how I got mine.

[@Vesssss]

I just removed mine - came out very easily with just a light tap with a rubber mallet, on the pulley and then on the coil. Don't forget to remove the O-rings first. Now the hard part is finding replacement as rockauto sells complete compressors. Mine had a shot bearing that overheated the coil.

[@Dman90]

Where did you purchase the clutch kit at? All I see is for 07-08 Honda fit none for 09

[@narianu0]

I found a good used OEM clutch and field coil at a junkyard. You might have to buy the entire compressor.

[@Dman90]

@@narianu0 looks like I'm going to the junkyard..thanks

[@chelseypenegar64]

I have a 2010 honda fit. And im having a hard time finding a ac cluth. Even online what should i order. I did the test here and just like yours that wire was bad when i tested it.

[@narianu0]

Have you checked your local junkyard? Also, you can buy the parts (clutch and field coil) OEM for about $500 on HondaPartsNow.com. Or you can buy a cheap aftermarket part, but I would expect those to fail after a year or two. You can try finding the OEM part # on HondaPartsNow, then do a search on eBay/Amazon for that part number and you'll find some compatible aftermarket products.

[@anonyme0897]

99% chance you don't need new parts. You probably only need to reduce the gap by removing 1 shim or sand the clutch a bit (the mounting point at the center). Don't sand too much or the clutch will drag against the pulley and overheat.

[@chelseypenegar64]

I found the AC clutch online. Installed it. And it worked. Saved me over 1000. Thank you to the guy who posted this 😌 life saver to say the least .

[@narianu0]

@@anonyme0897 I would recommend following the steps in the video to troubleshoot the clutch first (including the bearing and the field coil). If those are not working as expected, I don't think you'll gain much be re-gapping and you'll need to buy the parts.

[@themish1]

Does doing the clutch require a recharge? I checked the vehicle power to the clutch with ac button on: 14v. Checked resistance on field cool, 0ohm. Is there a seperate switch for the clutch that runs off coolant pressure

[@aniqcubacubajer2074]

Idk how to talk , when i turn on my ac , noises like krokkkkkkkkkkk..........krokkkkkkk....

[@raizt1596]

My wife's ac starts blowing cold, then gets warm. If we turn off the ac and wait 4 minutes and turn it back on, it's blowing cold again. Anyone that can help?

[@jorgevictorino3694]

My Car was doing the exact same thing. For my scenario the AC compressor coils were overheating and I had to replace it but it was pricy

[@raizt1596]

@@jorgevictorino3694 yeah, I tried swapping the fuses like in I saw a few other youtube vids, but that didn't fix it.

[@ianwalter3349]

Time to recharge the Freon?

[@rackets001]

Nice video information, but the constant lip smacking as you talk was really irritating to listen to.

[@narianu0]

Sorry brother, thanks for the feedback!