Hello everyone, I guess this is my firsrst real post other than the introductions. Ok today was the coldest day since I first got my Ranger, so obviously I had to use the heat. With the **** turned all the way on heat and the other **** selected on floor it blows heat awesome, but I noticed that even while the heat is on I can still hear the A/C pump cycling. I know it is not the blend door because I can turn it to heat and get hot hot heat and turn it to cold and get freezing cold air. It just seems like there is somthing not telling the A/C to turn off when I have the heat on. Hopefully some one has a few ideas as to what the cause may be, any other questions feel free to ask.

 

just to clarify, you are only on floor? not floor/dash mix

 

Well I can put it on floor or bi-level(floor dash mix) and it will do the same thing. I realize that having it on any of the defrost or A/C settings would cause the A/C compressor to run, but it is not on that.

 

The AC runs on ALL settings except panel only and floor only. It is stupid, but thats how they designed it for some reason.

 

Recheck the "floor only" mode - I think you'll find that the compressor is off then. However, the compressor is allowed to run in 5 of the 8 selector switch positions.

AC compressor operation allowed:
Max AC
AC
Vent/Floor
Floor/Defrost
Defrost

AC compressor operation not allowed:
Vent only
Floor only
Off



If desired, it is possible to add a dash switch to disable compressor operation. The purple wire from the back of the HVAC control panel tells the PCM when it should allow compressor operation. Interrupting that wire with an on/off switch would allow the compressor to be turned off in any position of the HVAC mode selector dial.

 

Ok thanks so much everyone for your help these are exactly the kind of answers that I was looking for! I will double check again to make sure it is not turning on, on floor selection.

 

The compressor helps remove moisture(humidity) in the vehicle, your heat/defrost is more efficient that way

If you don't like it just put it on vent (panel) or floor only

 

You and I know that but they don't really tell anyone that. There are only two settings that indicate AC. Any normal person would assume that the other positions are no AC and I'd be pretty pissed if I was wasting all that gas on it.

 

again, I love this site, I had the same question on my AC, why the compressor ran in other modes but defrost and AC/MAXAC, now i know.

 

It would be nice if someone came up with the answer to this one. I've owned two Rangers, and with the first Ranger, the AC would never come on until you selected AC or Max AC. On my new Ranger (2002), it used to work that way, but now the AC blows cold air in all positions but one.
You should not get AC cold air in any position but AC and MAX AC - why else even have those two positions? It should be blowing fresh air in all positions but those two.
I tried replacing the selector switch since a new one is only $30, (the one with vacuum hose connectors) but the same thing is happening. I live in Denver, which is a dry climate, so its nothing to do with humidity...
Is there a manual anyone could recommend to help trace down the vacuum hose functions and wiring that makes the AC work?

 

They should just put a push button a/c switch on it like most other cars, so you can choose if you want the compressor running or not. It took me 6 months of owning my Ranger to figure out that I was driving around with the a/c on, and yeah, it kinda pissed me off. Took 20 minutes of playing with the switch to figure out when it ran and when it didn't.

 

Interesting read, i notice mine blows ice cold a/c all the time too

 

There is an answer to this. Ford made it this way. If you read Bob's post he enplanes it and also gives you an option on how to disable it.

 

Yeah, I found the same thing last week when I just needed a little heat, and could tell the A/C was on.

contacted my dealer, and they said yes, you will ahve the compressor running in all settings but dash.

I'm going to see abotu adding the switch to turn off the compressor.

 

Thank you very much.. I had the same problem. This thread cleared it up for me.

I don't understand why vent/floor would turn on the compressor and vent or floor by themselves leaves it on. I get 2-3 mpg better when the compressor is off. I guess I'll just leave the know on floor to save fuel economy.

 

This thread explains a lot. After I drove the truck and parked it on concrete, I noticed a puddle of water under the truck. I knew I wasn't using the AC and wondered about the water. Now, I know.

 

Glad this thread popped up again. It was driving me nuts. If I turn the **** clockwise (from 12:00 "off"), the compressor pops on in all settings. Counterclockwise, no compressor. I thought something was wrong. Weird how they designed it that way.

 

where ou add refrigerant there is an elecricl connection just remove it forwhen you need heat on all settings