SB-10056005-7115

Service Bulletin
Applies To:

12-072
May 30, 2014

2007–11 CR-V – Check the iN VIN status for eligibility

Warranty Extension: A/C Compressor Clutch
(Supersedes 12-072, dated July 30, 2013, to revise the information marked by the black bars)
REVISION SUMMARY
Under REPAIR PROCEDURE, the tool number in step
7 was corrected.
BACKGROUND
The A/C compressor clutch wears out, causing one or
more of the following symptoms:
• The A/C performance is poor and it blows air that
isn’t very cold.
• The A/C does not work or blows warm air.
• The A/C makes noise that seems to come from the
compressor area.
American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C
compressor clutch to 7 years from the original date of
purchase or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
The warranty extension does not apply to any vehicle
that has ever been declared a total loss or sold for
salvage by a financial institution or insurer, or has a
branded or similar title under any state’s law.

CORRECTIVE ACTION
Replace the A/C compressor clutch (armature plate
and rotor pulley) and, if needed, also replace the field
coil.
PARTS INFORMATION
A/C Compressor Clutch Kit: P/N 38900-RZA-014
A/C Compressor Field Coil Set:
P/N 38924-RWC-A01 (2007–09 model years)
P/N 38924-RWC-A02 (2010–11 model years)
REQUIRED SPECIAL TOOLS
A/C Compressor Kit: T/N 07AAF-000A150
WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
OP#

Description

6141B9
A

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
Owners of affected vehicles were sent a notification of
this warranty extension starting in November 2012. An
example of the customer notification is included at the
end of this service bulletin.

FRT

Inspect and replace the A/C
compressor clutch.

0.9

Replace the field coil.

0.1

Failed Part:
Defect Code:
Symptom Code:
Skill Level:

P/N 38900-RZA-014
5F100
S5700
Repair Technician

Before doing work on a vehicle, verify its eligibility by
doing an iN VIN status inquiry.

 2014 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved

ATB 47685-51488 REV2 (1405)

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CUSTOMER INFORMATION: The information in this bulletin is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment,
and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These procedures should not be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume
this bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To determine whether this information applies, contact an
authorized Honda automobile dealer.

INSPECTION PROCEDURE
1. Check for signs that the armature plate was
burned, such as discoloration and blistering, or for
any other signs of damage. If there is damage,
make note of it.

2. Check the clutch clearance between the rotor
pulley and the armature plate by trying to insert a
0.027 in. (0.66 mm) feeler gauge in different places
all the way around the armature plate. The proper
clearance should be between 0.014–0.026 in.
(0.35–0.65 mm).
NOTE:
• Make sure you measure all the way around the
armature plate because the back of the armature
may wear unevenly; some areas may be within
spec, while others are not.
• If the clearance is close to the maximum, the
clutch makes an engagement noise that may be
the source of the customer’s complaint.

• If the armature surface has no damage or
discoloration and the feeler gauge does not
fit into the clutch clearance area, this bulletin
does not apply. Continue with normal
troubleshooting.
• If the armature surface has any damage and
the feeler gauge fits (about 1/8 in. or 3 mm)
into the clutch clearance area, the A/C
compressor clutch is damaged. Go to step 3.
3. Measure the field coil resistance. For more
information about checking the resistance, refer to
the Tech2Tech segment titled “Noise under the
Hood, A/C Not Working Right? Check the
Compressor Clutch First.”
Field coil resistance specification:
’07–09 models: 3.15–3.45 ohms at 68 °F (20 °C)
’10–11 models: 3.35–3.65 ohms at 68 °F (20 °C)
• If the field coil resistance is within spec, only the
A/C compressor clutch needs to be replaced.
Go to REPAIR PROCEDURE.
• If the field coil resistance is not within spec,
replace the A/C compressor clutch and the
field coil. Go to REPAIR PROCEDURE.

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12-072

4. Disconnect the A/C compressor connector.

REPAIR PROCEDURE
1. Raise the vehicle on a lift, and remove the right
front wheel.

A/C COMPRESSOR
CLUTCH CONNECTOR

2. Remove the front splash shield.
FRONT INNER
FENDER
FRONT BUMPER

BOLTS (2)

9.8 N.m
(7.2 lb-ft)

5. Remove the four mounting bolts holding the
compressor on the engine.
NOTE: Do not remove the compressor. This
procedure can be done with the A/C
compressor in the vehicle. Refer to the
Tech2Tech segment titled “On-Vehicle
Compressor Clutch Replacement.”

CLIPS (6)
CLIPS (5)
FRONT SPLASH SHIELD

3. Remove the drive belt.
AUTO-TENSIONER
YA9317
BELT TENSION
RELEASE TOOL

BOLTS

22 N.m
(16 lb-ft)

NOTE: To get more working room, unbolt the ATF
filter holder from the subframe.

12-072

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6. Carefully angle the compressor as shown below to
support the compressor and take the stress off of
the A/C lines.

8. Remove the armature plate and the shim(s). Save
the shim(s) to use as a baseline when assembling
the new clutch parts.

7. Using the A/C clutch holder from the A/C
Compressor Kit, T/N 07AAF-000A150, remove the
center armature plate nut. For more information
about removing the A/C compressor clutch, refer to
the Tech2Tech segment titled “Safely Remove That
Rotor Pulley with the A/C Compressor Kit.”

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12-072

9. Remove the rotor pulley (A/C clutch).
• Remove the snap ring.
• Remove the rotor pulley. Always use the rotor
puller and large adapter from the A/C
compressor kit. Make sure the puller jaws have
their narrow ends grabbing the back face of the
pulley, not the grooves. Flip the jaws around if
necessary. Do not hammer or pry on the rotor
pulley because you can damage the A/C
compressor. If the pulley does not come off
easily, make sure the snap ring was removed.
• If you are replacing the field coil, go to step 10.
• If you are not replacing the field coil, go to
step 12.

10. Remove the field coil:
• Remove the field coil ground bolt, then loosen
the field coil harness retainer screw. Use a right
angle ratcheting screwdriver (Snap-On YA480B
or equivalent) to make this easier. Rotate the
clip, and unplug the field coil connector.
• Remove the snap ring, then remove the field coil.
Be careful not to damage the field coil and A/C
compressor.
FIELD
COIL

Align the
boss and hole.

ROTOR PULLEY

SNAP RING

Beveled side facing
up (away from the
compressor).

SNAP RING

Beveled side
facing up (away
from the compressor).

ADAPTER

ROTOR
PULLER

12-072

FIELD COIL
CONNECTOR
FIELD COIL
GROUND

7.4 N.m
(5.5 lb-ft)

11. Install the new field coil on the compressor with a
new snap ring, and note the following:
• Install the field coil with the wire side facing
down, and align the boss on the field coil with the
hole in the A/C compressor.
• Clean the rotor pulley and A/C compressor
sliding surfaces with contact cleaner or other
non-petroleum solvent.
• Measure the new field coil, and confirm that is is
within the resistance specified.
Field coil resistance specification:
’07–09 models: 3.15–3.45 ohms at 68°F (20°C)
’10–11 models: 3.35–3.65 ohms at 68°F (20°C)
• Install the new snap ring that came with the kit,
beveled side facing up (away from the
compressor), and make sure it is fully seated in
the groove.
• Route and clamp the ground wire properly to
prevent the field coil from being damaged by the
rotor pulley.

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12. Install a new rotor pulley on the A/C compressor.
Use the new snap ring that came with the kit, and
install them with the beveled side facing up (away
from the compressor).
NOTE: There may be a varying amount of
back-and-forth end play in the compressor shaft
with the armature plate removed.This end play
does not indicate a problem and compressors
should not be replaced for this condition. Once the
armature plate and retaining nut are reinstalled,
any end play should be gone.
13. Check for proper clearance between the armature
plate and the rotor pulley:
• Place 1 mm of shims on the A/C compressor
shaft.
NOTE: Starting with the shim(s) that were
removed from behind the old armature plate may
help you arrive at the correct clutch clearance
more quickly.
• Install the armature plate and the center
armature plate nut. Torque the nut to 25.5 N.m
(18.8 lb-ft).
• Measure the clearance between the rotor pulley
and the armature plate all the way around. If the
clearance is not within 0.35–0.65 mm (0.0138–
0.0256 in.), remove or add shims as needed.
NOTE: Try to set the clearance in the middle of the
spec. If the clearance is close to the maximum, the
clutch could make an engagement noise, leading to
a comeback.

SHIMS

(1 mm total.)

ARMATURE
PLATE

ROTOR
PULLEY
ARMATURE
PLATE

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14. Reinstall the armature plate and the center nut.
Torque the nut to 25.5 N.m (18.8 lb-ft).
15. Reconnect the A/C compressor connector.
16. Reinstall the compressor with the four mounting
bolts.
17. Reinstall the drive belt, the front splash shield, and
the wheel.
18. Seat the clutch by starting the engine and running it
at 1,500–2,000 rpm. Set the climate control
temperature to Lo with the A/C button ON until the
clutch cycles about 20 times.

Example of Customer Letter

November 2012
Warranty Extension: A/C Clutch
Dear CR-V Owner:
This letter is to notify you of a warranty extension on
your CR-V.
What is the reason for this notice?
The A/C clutch wears out causing one or more of the
following symptoms:
• The A/C performance is poor and it’s blowing air that
isn’t very cold.
• The A/C doesn’t work and blows warm air.
• The A/C is making noise, often heard as a hard-topinpoint noise from the drivebelt area.
To increase confidence in your vehicle, American
Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C clutch to
7 years from the original date of purchase or 100,000
miles, whichever comes first.
This warranty extension provides coverage for the
original owner and any subsequent owners. No action
is required on your part unless you experience a
problem. The warranty extension is valid except for any
vehicle that has ever been declared a total loss or sold
for salvage by a financial institution or insurer, or has a
branded, or similar title under any state's law.
What should you do?
If your vehicle is experiencing any of the listed
symptoms, call any authorized Honda dealer and make
an appointment to have your vehicle inspected. If the
symptom is caused by a worn A/C clutch, the A/C
clutch and, if needed, the field coil will be replaced at
no cost. Please plan to leave your vehicle for a day to
allow the dealer flexibility in scheduling.
What to do if you feel this notice is in error
Our records show that you are the current owner or
lessee of a 2007–11 CR-V involved in this warranty
extension. If this is not the case, or the name/address
information is not correct, please complete and sign the
Information Change Card and return it in the enclosed
postage-paid envelope. We will then update our
records.

12-072

If you previously paid to have your A/C compressor
clutch replaced because your A/C system experienced
one of the listed symptoms, you may be eligible for
reimbursement, even if you no longer own the vehicle.
Refer to the attached Instructions for Reimbursement
form for eligibility requirements and the reimbursement
procedure.
Lessor Information
If you are the vehicle lessor receiving this warranty
extension notice, please forward a copy of this notice
to the lessee within 10 days.
If you have questions
If you have any questions about this notice, or need
assistance with contacting a Honda dealer, please call
Honda Automobile Customer Service at 800-999-1009,
and select option 4. You can also locate a dealer online
at Hondacars.com. Customers in US territories, please
contact your local dealer/distributor.
We apologize for any inconvenience this warranty
extension may cause you.
Sincerely,
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda Automobile Division

12-072

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