2003 HONDA CIVIC lower cover

Dashboard
Dashboard Removal/lnstallation
SRS components are located in this area. Review the
SRS component locations (see page 23-13) and the
precautions and procedures (see page 23-14) in the SRS
section before performing repairs or service.
NOTE:. When prying with a flat-tip screwdriver, wrap it with
protective tape, and apply protective tape around the
related parts to prevent damage.. Have an assistant help you when removing and
installing the dashboa rd.. Take care not to scratch the dashboard, body, and
other related parts.
. Put on gloves to protect your hands.
1. Make sure you have the anti-theft code for the radio,
then write down the frequencies for the preset
buttons.
Disconnect the negative cable from the battery, and
wait at least three minutes before beginning work.
Remove these items:
. Driver's dashboard lower cover (see page 20-59). Driver's dashboard under cover (see page 20-60). Passenger's dashboard lower cover (see page
20-63). Glove box (see page 20-63). Consoles, front and rear (see page 20-57). Shift lever trim {see page 20-61). Center panel (see page 20-62). Kick panels, both sides (see page 20-50). A-pillar trim. both sides (see page 20-50). Steering column (see page 17-9)
20-66
4. From the center panel opening, remove the screws,
then remove the center bracket (A).
Fastener Locations
):Screw,2
Remove the sh ift lever (see page 13-51).
From outside of the passenger's door, gently pull
out along the edge of the dashboard side cover (A)
to release the hooks (B), then release the upper
hook (C), to remove the cover.

21-2
z t-'5
z t-o
z t-o
21-8
21-9
21-10
21-11
21-14
z t- to
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Gonditioningl
Heating and Air Conditioning
SpecialTools
Comoonent Location lndex ........
A/C Service Tios and
Precautions
A,/C Refrigerant Oil
ReDlacement
General Troubleshooting
lnformation
DTC Troubleshooting Index .......
Symptom Troubleshooting
1ndex..............
System Description .....................
Circuit Diagram
DTC Troubleshooting ..................
Recirculation Control Motor
CircuitTroubleshooting .......... 21-25
Heater Control Power and Ground
Circuits Troubleshooting ........ 21-27
Condenser Fan Circuit
Troubleshooting ...................... 21-28
Radiator and Condenser Fans
Common Circuit
Troubfeshooting ...................... 21-29
Compressor Clutch Circuit
Troubleshooting ...................... 21-30
A,/C Pressure Switch Circuit
Troubleshooting ...................... 21-32
Air Mix Control Motor
Test and Reolacement ............. 21-34
Mode Control Motor
Test and Replacement ............. 21-35
Recirculation Control Motor
Test and Reolacement ............. 21-36
Evaporator Temperature Sensor
Reolacement and Test ............. 21-31
Power Transistor Test ................. 21 -38
Heater Control Panel and
Push Switch Assemblv
Removal and Installation ........ 21-38
Dust and Pollen Filter
Reolacement ..21-39
Blower Unit Removal and
lnstallation ...... 21-39
Blower Unit Comoonents
ReDlacement ............................ 21-41
Evaporator Core
Reolacement ..21-42*Heater Unit/Core
ReDlacement ..21-43
Heater Valve Cable
Adjustment .....21-46
CompressorReplacement .......... 21-47
Comoressor Clutch Check .......... 21-48
Comoressor Clutch Overhaul ..... 21-49
Compressor Thermal Protector
Reo1acement ............................ 21-51
Comoressor Relief Valve
Reolacement ............................ 21-51
Condenser Reolacement ............ 21-52
Refrigerant Recovery .................. 21-53
System Evacuation ...................... 21-54
System CharginS ......................... 21-55
Refrigerant LeakTest .................. 21-56
A,/C Svstem Tests ........................ 21-57

Heating and Air Gonditioning
System Description (cont'dl
The air conditioning system removes heat from the passenger compartment by circulating refrigerant through the
system as shown below.
/
BLOWER FAN
\
\,u
EXPANSION VALVE(Meters the requiredamount of refrigerantinto the evaporator)
A/C PRESSURE SWITCHWhen the refriqerant is below196 kPa (2.0 kgi/cm',28 psi)or above 3,140 kPa (32 kgf/cm'455 psi), the Py'c pressureswitch opens the circuit tothe Py'C switch and stops theair conditioning to protect thecompressor-
RECEIVER/DRYER(Traps debris, andremoves morsturel
APOBATOR TEMPERATURESENSOR
THERMAL PROTECTOR(Opens the compressor clutch circuitwhen the compressot temperaturebecomes too high)
RELIEF VALVE(Relieves pressure at the compressorwhen the pressure is too high)
A/C COMPRESSOR(Suction and comoression)\-^
I HrcH PRESSURE vAPoR
[ '.... -:--l Low PREsSUBE LrourD
tffi Low PREssURE vAPoR
This vehicle uses HFC-134a (R-'134a) refrigerant which does not contain ch lorofluorocarbons. Pay attention to the
following service items:
. Do not mix refrigerants CFC-12 (R-12) and HFC-134a (R-134a). They are notcompatible.. Use onlythe recommended polyalkyleneglycol (PAG ) refrigera nt oil (KElHlN SP '!0) designedfortheR-134a
compressor. Intermixing the recommended (PAG) refrigerant oil with any other retrigerant oil will result in
compressor failu re.. AllAy'C system parts (compressor, discharge line, suction line, evaporator, condenser, receiver/dryer. expansion
valve, O-rings for joints) have to be designed for refrigerant R 134a. Do not exchange with R-'12 parts.
. Use a halogen gas leak detector designed for refrigerant R-134a.. R-12 and R-134a refrigerant servicing equipment are not interchangeable. Use only a recovery/recycling/charging
station that is U.L.-listed and is certified to meet the requirements of SAE J2210 to service R-134a air conditioning
system.. Always recover the refrigerant R-134a with an approved recovery/recycling/charging station before disconnecting
any Ay'C fifting.
/-
CONDENSER(Radiation of heat)
21-12

Evaporator Temperature Sensor
Replacement
1.Remove the driver's dashboard lower cover (see
page 20-59) and the under cover (see page 20-60).
Remove the under-dash fuse/relay box (see page
22-491.
Disconnect the 2P connector (A) from the
evaporator temperature sensor (B), then remove
the connector clip (C). Remove the self-tapping
screw, and carefully pull out the evaporator
temperature.
4. Install the sensor in the reverse order of removal,
Evaporator Temperature Sensor
Test
l. Dip the sensor in ice water, and measure the
resistance between its terminals
EVAPORATOR TEMPERATURE SENSOR
2.
3.
Terminal side ol male terminals
Then pour hot water on the sensor, and check {or a
change in resistance.
Compare the resistance readings with the
specifications shown in the graph; the resistance
should be within the specifications
RESISTANCEk9
t0
32050 68 86 'F
10 20 30'c
TEMPERATURE
21-37

Dust and Pollen Filter Replacement
The dust and pollen filters should be replaced every
30,000 miles (48.000 km) or 24 months whichever
comes first. Replace the filters more often if the air flow
is less than usual.
1. Open the glove box. Remove both glove box stops,
then let the glove box hang down (see page 20 63).
2. Remove the filter lid (A)from the blower unit, then
pull out the first dust and pollen filter (B). Slide the
second filter to the left, and pull it out.
Remove the filter {A) from the housing (B), and
replace the filter.
4. Install the filters in the reverse order of removal.
Blower Unit Removal and
lnstallation
For some models: SRS components are located in this
area. Review the SRS component locations (see page
23-13) and precautions and procedures (see page 23-14)
in the SRS section before performing repairs or service.
1. Make sure you have the anti-theft code for the radio,
then write down the frequencies for the preset
buttons.
2. Disconnect the battery negative cable, and wait 3
minutes before beginning worK.
3. Remove the right kick panel (see page 20-50),
passenger's dashboard lower cover, and the glove
box {see page 20-63).
4. Cut the plastic cross brace in the glove box opening
with diagonal cutters in the area shown. Remove
and discard the plastic cross brace,
Cut heare.
{cont'd)
21-39

Heating and Air Gonditioning
Blower Unit Removal and Installation {cont'd}
Remove the steering hanger beam bracket cover
from the right side of the glove box opening, then
remove the bolts and the olove box frame.
1.
8.
9.
Remove the ECM (see page 11-4).
Remove the EPS control unit (see page 17-67).
Disconnect and remove the PGM-Fl main relays
and bracket assembly, then remove the ECM
bracket.
Disconnect the connectors {A) from the blower
motor and the power transistor, then remove the
wire harness clips (B) and the connectors (C).
Remove the self-tapping screws and the bracket (D).
A
21-40
10. Disconnectthe connector {A) from the recirculation
control motor, then remove the wire harness clip
{B). Remove the mounting bolts, the mounting nuts
and the blower unit (C).
6x 1.0 mm I9.8 N.m (1.0 kgt.m,7.2 tbt.ftl
6x1.0mm9.8 N.m (1.0 kgf.m,?.2 tbf.ft)
11.
14.
Installlhe unit in the reverse order of removal.
Make sure that there is no air leakage.
Reconnect the negative battery terminal.
Do the engine control module (ECM) idle learn
procedure {see page 11-139).
Enter the anti-theft code for the radio, then enter
the customer's radio station presets.
\
'13.

Heating and Air Gonditioning
a
1.
Evaporator Core Replacement
Recover the refrigerant with a recovery/recycling/
charging station (see page 21-53).
Remove the bolt, then disconnect the suction line
(A) and the receiver line (B)from the evaporator
core.
6x10mm9.8 N.m (1.0 kgt.m, 7.2lbf.ft)
Remove the blower unit (see page 21-39).
Remove the self-tapping screws and the expansion
valve cover.
21-42
5. Carefully pull out the evaporator core without
bending the pipes.
Installthe core in the reverse order of removal, and
note these items.
. lfyou're installing a new evaporator core, add
refrigerant oil (KElHlN SP-]0) (see page 21-6).. Replace the O-rings with new ones at each fitting,
and apply a thin coat of refrigerant oil before
installing them. Be sure to use the correct O-rings
for HFC-134a (R-'134a) to avoid leakage.. lmmediatelyafter usingthe oil, reinstallthecap
on the container, and seal it to avoid moisture
absorotion.. Do not spill the refrigerant oil on the vehicle; it
may damage the paint. lf the refrigerant oil
contacts the paint, wash it off immediately.. Charge the system (see page 21-55).
6.

Heating and Air Conditioning
Heater Unit/Core Replacement (cont'd)
8. Remove the dashboard {see page 20-66).
9. Disconnectthe connectors (A) from the blower
motor, the recirculation control motor, the mode
control motor, and the power transistor, then
remove the wire harness clips (B) and the
connector (C). Remove the self-tapping screws and
the bracket (D).
Disconnect the connectors (A) from the evaporator
temperature sensor and the air mix control motor,
then remove the wire harness clips (B) and the
connector (C). Remove the self-tapping screw and
the cover (D). Disconnect the heater valve cable (E).
10,
7t,
21-44
11. Remove the mounting bolts, the mounting nuts,
and the heater unit.
Remove the self-tapping screws and the expansion
valve cover (A). Carefully pull out the evaporator
core (B) so you don't bend the inlet and outlet pipes.
Remove the grommet (C), then remove the self-
tapping screws and the flange cover (D). Bemove
the self-tapping screws and the pipe cover (E), then
carefully pull out the heater core (F) so you don't
bend the inlet and outlet oioes.
@
5x 1.0 mm9.8 N.m11.0 kgl m,7.2 tbf.ftl
12.