☰
GET A QUOTE

Q: 2003 Honda CRV: Do I really need a new serpentine belt and aftermarket AC compressor?

asked by on October 31, 2016

Had three AC failures (compressor, clutch, coil and condenser replaced first time in 2007, compressor, clutch coil and condenser replaced in 2009, AC fan replaced in 2010; AC fan blower transistor replaced in 2011) in car so eventually went to outside mechanic who put in an aftermarket compressor in 2012. Four years later, the serpentine belt broke and Honda dealer (outside mechanic no longer in business) says they can't replace serpentine belt without replacing compressor. Is this just a ploy to have more work done? It has run for four years with the "wrong size" belt.

My car has 86000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Recommended Services

Serpentine/Drive Belt Replacement $111.60 - $349.96 Get a Quote
Or For Any Other Auto Repairs Get a Quote

Hi and thank you for contacting YourMechanic. There is no reason that the only way to replace the serpentine belt is to replace the compressor also - don’t buy that! Now, if by chance the mechanic who is no longer in business installed the wrong compressor, then the dealer will be correct in saying they won’t replace the serpentine belt without installing the correct compressor. If you would prefer, YourMechanic can send a certified technician to you and inspect the serpentine belt and make all necessary repairs.

Honda
compressors
drive belts (ex. serpentine, v-belt)
2003
L4-2.4L
CR-V
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

ABS light on and brakes locking up.
Hello. The ABS light on the dashboard is an indicator to warn the driver of improper system function. With your symptoms, I believe your anti-lock braking system controller may have a fault. The anti-lock braking system measures wheel speeds and...
Read more
Clutch won't go into gear
Having difficulty moving into first gear and then being unable to move your Subaru into any other gear leads me to believe that there are problems with one or more components in the clutch system. While the information you offered...
Read more
Transmission slips while driving downhill - 1997 Chevrolet K2500 Suburban
There are many possible technical service bulletins (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-use-a-technical-service-bulletin-tsb-to-diagnose-and-repair-a-car-by-valerie-johnston) the manufacturer has listed for this problem on your vehicle. The problems range from internal gears to pressure solenoids of the transmission. I suggest having the transmission pressures tested to see if...
Read more
Car cranks over but won't start - 1994 Toyota Camry
Hi there. If the Check Engine light is illuminated, the first thing to do is to retrieve any problem codes (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-read-and-understand-check-engine-light-codes-by-jason-unrau) from the engine management system (yes, it has on-board diagnostics). If there is no Check Engine light, the problem...
Read more
Car stalls while driving, and won't start up for 15-20 minutes.
Your car was built right on the cusp of the period when Honda products were transitioning to distributor-less ignition. If it is a model that had a distributor, then that is the first place I would look for trouble. The...
Read more
P0175 p0101
Check the fuel injectors and see if they are leaking and not atomizing properly. The injectors could be working fine but dripping instead of spraying. I recommend performing a injection cleaning on the engine to see if the injectors will...
Read more
Where is the map sensor on a 2001 Montero Sport
Hello - the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-manifold-absolute-pressure-sensor-map-sensor) is located on top of the intake manifold, in the middle. This will be between the valve cover and the firewall that separates the engine compartment from the passenger compartment. It's...
Read more
Car starts and idles but idle fluctuates but the car stays on. After bringing the rpms up to 4-5K the car dies on deceleration.
Since you are getting different codes and engine is stalling you may have a sensor issue along with ignition issues like a defective coil or compression problem in cylinder number 5. I would suggest getting a mechanic like one from...
Read more
Stuck in park with no brake lights
The brake lights are computer controlled on this year and have integrated circuits in the interior fuse box than may have burned out and entire fuse junction box may need to be replaced. You can have the computer tested with...
Read more

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Honda Insight
The The 2012 Honda Insight is a dedicated hybrid five-door hatchback. Designed for those who want an environmentally conscious vehicle that also saves considerably at the pump, this hybrid also features a lower price tag, even for a fully equipped...
Read more
The 5 Safest Used Cars You Can Buy For Under $20,000
The Subaru Legacy, Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Chevy Volt, and the Volvo XC60 are five of the overall safest used cars you can buy for under $20,000.
Read more
Why Serpentine Belt Replacements on Cars With Limited Clearance Can Be Tricky
Changing a serpentine belt is a service that can involve performing some difficult maneuvers on the engine, especially on cars with limited clearance.
Read more

Browse other content

Estimates
Maintenance
Services
Cars