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A/C always on?

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Old 05-26-2010
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A/C always on?

I'm not sure if this just started happening, or if it has been going on a while as we just finally got some higher temperatures here recently... but whether I have the dial turned to A/C or not my truck is always blowing out cold air with the temperature **** is turned to the cold side, even when I just have it turned to the vent setting. It's like the a/c compressor is always on, I'm not sure how else to explain it. Is this a common issue? It's not really that big of a deal, better this way than to have no A/C but I'd rather not it be running when I don't need it. Any ideas?
 
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Old 05-26-2010
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If you're HVAC control is not selected or dialed to A/C, chances are, it's not on. I hardly use my A/C because the truck blows ice cold in the vent position anyway. Trust me, if there's one thing Ford did right, it was make these things blow ice through the vents.

Remember that you're compressor will still click on and off in the vent and defrost positions even with the A/C not selected.

Hope that helps.
 
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Old 05-26-2010
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yeah mine blows cold air like the a/c is on when i have the foot and face thing selected. I can feel the air come on, i dunno, its cold.
 
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Old 05-26-2010
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A/C is on in the A/C, Max A/C, Vent/floor, floor/defrost, and defrost positions. So the compressor is only off in the vent, floor, or off position.
 
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Old 05-27-2010
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Okay, thanks! I guess I just didn't notice it last summer. The truck never really left the city so the windows were always down.
 
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Old 05-27-2010
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Originally Posted by robert99ranger
A/C is on in the A/C, Max A/C, Vent/floor, floor/defrost, and defrost positions. So the compressor is only off in the vent, floor, or off position.

That's how my ranger works according to my owners manual. But even when i have the vent or floor i notice the truck blows cold. I usually leave it on floor and crack my windows open regardless of temperature.
 
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Old 05-27-2010
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It is possible to install a simple on/off switch in a wire behind the HVAC panel and the compressor clutch can be defeated any time in any switch position.

1995~2006 - The color code is solid purple.
2007~2010 - The color code is green w/ orange stripe.

The compressor should be run at least a couple of times a month to help keep the AC system lubricated and leak free. If the truck is still under warranty, it would be better to put off this type of unauthorized mod.
 
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Old 05-27-2010
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As long as it's normal I'm not too concerned. Mine blows ice cold on all settings just like Marchy mentioned above.

rwenzing, is there much of a benefit in fuel mileage or something else to put in that switch?
 
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Old 05-27-2010
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Originally Posted by FULLSCALE
rwenzing, is there much of a benefit in fuel mileage or something else to put in that switch?
The A/C compressor is a significant horsepower draw, so disabling it when not needed has to help FE to some extent. If you end up driving with the windows rolled down to compensate, that creates an aerodynamic disadvantage that will offset the FE advantage from removing the compressor load. Windows up and A/C compressor off is the way to go when conditions allow.

I have the switch so I can turn it off completely whenever I feel like it, for whatever reason.
 
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Old 05-28-2010
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You guys are drunk if you think the vent setting blows cold air. Anything above 65 OAT and mine is warm air.


Its possible the switch went bad and the ac is on all the time. You would need to verify that buy letting it run on the setting and watch your compressor.
 
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Old 05-29-2010
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mine is still cold, i use defrost and floor and just turn the **** to cold. i hardly use my a/c but i kno my compressor turns on and off with the setting i use.

most times i roll down the windows and open the rear slider. i'm not worried about the fuel milage and drag since i'm mostly city and the expressway dirving is only 10-15 mins at a time.
 
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