2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission AC still on when using Vents

[RWatson]

OK so here is one that has me baffled. When I turn the swtich from AC to the third stage ... floor and vents, my ac continues to cool on. If I turn it one more time to just the vent it shuts off. I have looked and can not find anything obvious. . well at least to my naked eyes and have asked the local Dodge guys here and they are all just as baffled. Both the first and second AC controls work fine, but now I have three AC controls and the wife keeps complaining that it is way too cold for her .



Personally I have no problem with it staying cool, but must keep the boss happy if I want to keep BOMBING



Randy

 

[isb360]

RWatson: I have a similar situation with my truck. If I go from AC to vent/floor, the a/c will still be on. I've found if you go from A/C straight to Vent only, then ratchet back one position to vent/floor, you will be fine. Best I can tell is that it has something to do with the switch control not being sensitive enough to tell that you've switched it off of a/c.



That amounts to my sole complaint about the ergonomics of the dash layout in my truck. I really wish Dodge had had a separate "A/C" button which would allow user discretion of when to use the air conditioner or not.



I'd thought about having the switch replaced, but until it really breaks, I'm not going to have it torn apart.



Tim

 

[hammersley]

Yes this is a problem

Mine does this and it drives me crazy... . There must be a way of putting an AC awitch on - this sounds like a good project for some TDR folks..... Now - help me understand how you over-ride this problem... . I've tried all sorts of things and can't seem to get it to stop.

 

[isb360]

Left to right you have (turning the knob clockwise)

Max A/C

A/C

Vent/Floor

Vent

Defrost/Floor

Defrost



AC should be on in all but the Vent/Floor and Vent positions.

If I am in A/C, I turn the switch to the right going straight past Vent/Floor to Vent only, leave it there for a couple of seconds, then switch back to Vent/Floor and the a/c will remain off.

Same is true when I switch from Defrost/Floor to Vent, I have to overshoot to Vent/Floor, then back to vent.



I really think it has to do with lack of sensitivity of the a/c relay with respect to the switch position. I'd thought about tearing into it and putting in a separate A/C switch -- can't be that hard, but have not found the time yet.



Tim

 

[RWatson]

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the details and I will give this a try as it appears I am not the only one who has experienced this. I had thought about installing a seperate push switch as in the old days... sure made it simple, but just have not had the time to really investigate.



Randy

 

[isb360]

Let me know if it works for you or not, Randy. Maybe my situation is unique.



Tim

 

[illflem]

Re: Yes this is a problem

Originally posted by hammersley

There must be a way of putting an AC switch on - this sounds like a good project for some TDR folks

It's already been done and is extremely easy

http://dodgeram.org/tech/repair/HVAC/Defrost_AC.htm



and https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30252

 

[BreaksEverything]

same here



till I found a bad relay under the hood , all gone now

 

[hammersley]

super super folks

will get on this ASAP. Thanks Illflem for the reminder... ... .

 

[SpicyJam]

Same thing with mine, I knew it cool outside so I just had the vent on, so I thought. Then like a fool I was cranking up the heat thinking it had gotten really cold. Dummy me, same as the rest, thrid position snowflake.



Thanks for the info, I thought it was just me.

 

[canblue]

I have the same problem with my 99. It is a built-in FEATURE. If you read the service manual it should state for sure that the A/C will come on when VENT is selected. This really pi$$ me off as I was on a long trip, it was cool out and I wanted to check out the mileage. Did not realize the the dam A/C was running until I let the truck cool down and could hear/feel the clutch cycle on and off.



Looking to add a switch to control the A/C. Also wish I had the choice of recycled or fresh air.

 

[Rebel_Horseman]

I agree with ya'll. If I have one good thing to say about my Dmax, the A/C system was set up nice. You could vary how much air came out of the vents vs. the floor in the dash (the more you turned the knob towards the floor position the more air came out down there). They also have a button for A/C as well as a button for recirculated or fresh air. Props to GM for a good HVAC system. Poo on GM for an oterwise crummy vehicle.



Reb [><]

 

[LSeverson]

This is the first post I have done so forgive me if I mess it up.

I just happen to be looking at the owners manual for my truck today and I noticed, on page 109 that the A/C is supposed to be on in the Bi-level position (third position). The only two positions that the A/C is supposed to be off, are the panel (fourth position)and the floor positions (fifth position). I don't know why they didn't put the snowflake on this position.

 

[Idaho Native]

So, I bet if a person looked hard enough, there's probably a "TDR Basement Enterprise" that manufactures the little snowflakes?