ac on auto mode question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Boca Raton FL
ac on auto mode question
When its 40 degrees out and I put the temp to 75-80 degrees in the car with auto mode, ac light stays on. And if I try to shut it off, it goes off the auto mode... why do I need ac for this situation? Lol...
Also when I attempt to shut the ac off sometimes, the ac light blinks at me and will not go off. I have to turn the whole unit off and back on to shut the ac off... why is that?
andddd my mode and front defroster led lights are out. Can these be easily replaced? Is there a led part number or anything?
And bit OT but, what is the light sensor on top of the dic buttons for?
Also when I attempt to shut the ac off sometimes, the ac light blinks at me and will not go off. I have to turn the whole unit off and back on to shut the ac off... why is that?
andddd my mode and front defroster led lights are out. Can these be easily replaced? Is there a led part number or anything?
And bit OT but, what is the light sensor on top of the dic buttons for?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Believe A/C stays on until 38 F or lower.
A/C helps defrost.
There are threads on replacing lights, search. But you must solder.
Light sensor on DIC is for dimimg display ( look at MPH).
Light sensor on top of dash is for adding more A/C when sun is shinning.
A/C helps defrost.
There are threads on replacing lights, search. But you must solder.
Light sensor on DIC is for dimimg display ( look at MPH).
Light sensor on top of dash is for adding more A/C when sun is shinning.
Safety Car
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From: Taildragers rule! USA1
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 778
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From: Chantilly VA
The other night I put the auto control on and I thought that the A/C did not come on. It was 32 outside, so said the vette. Then in the morning it was 29 outside, started the car, and the A/C was on in auto mode. So I think A/C comes on no matter what the outside temps are, whilst in auto mode. So I went back to manual control. What the heck, it gives me something to do whilst driving in traffic. 
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,379
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From: MA
I've been meaning to ask this same question for a few years now/30,000 miles as my A/C light comes on when I'm in auto mode too and I have the cabin temp at 75-76 degrees and it is less than 40-degrees outside.
I thought I had/have an issue with the controller so I just keep the temp set on Manual at 75-76 now that it is in the 30's outside/EXT.
I don't want that compressor running and sapping power/fuel if I don't have to as I think it is a waste.
I thought I had/have an issue with the controller so I just keep the temp set on Manual at 75-76 now that it is in the 30's outside/EXT.
I don't want that compressor running and sapping power/fuel if I don't have to as I think it is a waste.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Freeport, FL
Not really, but I get why you say this.
A/C is not just for cooling the air. Obviously it does do that, but because of the A/C systems function, moisture is also pulled from the air and this is what keeps your windows from fogging, and subsequently de-fogs the windows as well.
Hot air that is not "conditioned" will defog the windows to a degree, but there will still be moisture on the window, "conditioned" hot air will actually dry the windows and allow better visibility.
that was longer than expected. lol
A/C is not just for cooling the air. Obviously it does do that, but because of the A/C systems function, moisture is also pulled from the air and this is what keeps your windows from fogging, and subsequently de-fogs the windows as well.
Hot air that is not "conditioned" will defog the windows to a degree, but there will still be moisture on the window, "conditioned" hot air will actually dry the windows and allow better visibility.
that was longer than expected. lol
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Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Boca Raton FL
I think it's weird because no other car I know does this. not my 2011 maxima, or my parents '09 BMW and the '00 BMW, or any other auto ac car I owned.
I just want it to control the speed of the fan and also the ducts with auto, if I want AC, i should be able to just turn it on. I don't care if it's on besides the fact that sometimes I don't need it robbing power from the engine consuming more MPG when it's dry outside and 45 degrees...
Maybe they should take the button out? Just let it run all the time lol.
I guess that's why it's auto. It's doing what it knows best. Lol
I just want it to control the speed of the fan and also the ducts with auto, if I want AC, i should be able to just turn it on. I don't care if it's on besides the fact that sometimes I don't need it robbing power from the engine consuming more MPG when it's dry outside and 45 degrees...
Maybe they should take the button out? Just let it run all the time lol.
I guess that's why it's auto. It's doing what it knows best. Lol
Last edited by Z06seal; Dec 9, 2010 at 07:03 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Boca Raton FL
as a matter of fact, sometimes I can't even turn it off. I'll press the button and it'll blink twice and stay on (in auto mode) I gotta press off, and press auto again to turn ac off
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,379
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From: MA
At least if everyone who runs the AUTO has the A/C light stay on then I know my system is not malfunctioning.
Like you Z06seal, I push the A/C button in AUTO and it blinks but stays on.
I'll have to try the AUTO mode and see if I can stay warm on my ride home now.
Like you Z06seal, I push the A/C button in AUTO and it blinks but stays on.
I'll have to try the AUTO mode and see if I can stay warm on my ride home now.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Taildragers rule! USA1
I think it's weird because no other car I know does this. not my 2011 maxima, or my parents '09 BMW and the '00 BMW, or any other auto ac car I owned.
I just want it to control the speed of the fan and also the ducts with auto, if I want AC, i should be able to just turn it on. I don't care if it's on besides the fact that sometimes I don't need it robbing power from the engine consuming more MPG when it's dry outside and 45 degrees...
Maybe they should take the button out? Just let it run all the time lol.
I guess that's why it's auto. It's doing what it knows best. Lol
I just want it to control the speed of the fan and also the ducts with auto, if I want AC, i should be able to just turn it on. I don't care if it's on besides the fact that sometimes I don't need it robbing power from the engine consuming more MPG when it's dry outside and 45 degrees...
Maybe they should take the button out? Just let it run all the time lol.
I guess that's why it's auto. It's doing what it knows best. Lol
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 4
From: Freeport, FL
As long as the control is set to Auto or defrost it will enable the A/C compressor. I don't think it enables the compressor in the def/lower selection, this is something I have been trying to figure out (simply haven't paid close enough attention or looked under the hood, lol, I'm lazy in the cold weather)
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,496
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From: LEBANON PA.
Hi There,
I had my heater on the auto mode today.About 24 degrees outside. Noticed the a/c compressor was on about 10-15 minutes later I was going to turn the a/c off ,but it was already shut-off. Nice & warm inside.
robsc501
I had my heater on the auto mode today.About 24 degrees outside. Noticed the a/c compressor was on about 10-15 minutes later I was going to turn the a/c off ,but it was already shut-off. Nice & warm inside.
robsc501
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,434
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From: Harrisburg Pa.
i had the same 'why's it doing that' thoughts originally too. but as mentioned previously, it is on for a reason, and it does shut off if conditions warrant it. mine has shut off, and come back on later if the moisture content in the cabin increases.
something to try, if i remember correctly, when you are trying to turn the a/c off in auto mode, i think if the air is in the recirculating mode it won't turn off because you can't use recirc. with anything other than a/c. if you switch the air flow to outside air you can turn the a/c off. [i think]
of course the air compressor will always be on in defrost mode.
something to try, if i remember correctly, when you are trying to turn the a/c off in auto mode, i think if the air is in the recirculating mode it won't turn off because you can't use recirc. with anything other than a/c. if you switch the air flow to outside air you can turn the a/c off. [i think]
of course the air compressor will always be on in defrost mode.