Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) One more question?

[Bug Out]

Is it my imagination , or does the A/C unit run with ANY selection on the temp control knob?



Mine seems to run under any setting, as most vehicles it only runs under the defrost or A/C mode.



How do I get it to only cycle when on A/C or defrost?



thanks again.

 

[jrollins]

On my 2001 i know that the compressor is used in all selections except the dash only vent and the floor only vent setting, all others even the ones without the snowflake by them still activate the compressor.

 

[Big-D]

jrollins is correct. You can try reading your owners manual or better yet, open the hood and have someone turn the knob to all settings. You can hear the pump engage with all settings except two.

Dave

 

[Hohn]

Yes, the floor only and dash only setting are the only one that have NO A/C.



The Snowflake ones ALWAYS have A/C.



The other bilevel settings and defrost and such may or may not run the A/C depending upon some factors if DC told us, they would have to kill us. I think that the A/C runs in defrost above certain temps to defog the windows. If I remember, it will NOT run in temps below or well below freezing. That's because when it's really cold, the outside air can't hold much moisture anyway, so having the A/C on is a waste. That's why you're dry in the winter. The other settings run similarly, i think. Above a defined temp, like 45° or so, the A/C runs to take moisture out of the air.



It's interesting to note that both heating and cooling tend to dry out your house. When you heat in the winter, you are heating already dry air. When you cool in the summer, the A/C causes the moisture to condense, drying the air out. The A/C won't (can't) dry the air out in the hot summer to the point where it is as dry in the winter. Cold air has VERy little ability to retain moisture compared to hot air.