A/C Compressor turns on with the vent

[masospaghetti]

When I set my vent mode to blow out the dash vents and the floor vents, my air conditioner turns on. It does not turn on for just the dash vents or just the floor vents. I know its supposed to turn on for defrosting but why this?

2000 Explorer Sport, 96k miles. OHV engine.

Thanks all
-J

 

[ronwc]

vents

That's just the way it works, suppose to take the humidity out of the air - doesn't make a lot of sense to me either, but I'm sure many engineers agonized over this for weeks to make a decision -

 

[slpdave]

On my 2000 XLT the only setting that does not run the compressor is - out the top vents only. it is the setting between off and AC.

David

 

[Jefe]

On my 2000 XLT the only setting that does not run the compressor is - out the top vents only. it is the setting between off and AC.

David

That is correct. Why Ford did it like this I don't know. Luckily they have redesigned it in all their cars so that its a separate A/C switch again.

 

[Athlonman]

Whats a good way of disabling the ac for the winter? i thought of unplugging the conector to the clutch but i am worried about that rusting when they start blasting the salt. Here in ontario once a snowflake hits the gound 500 tonnes of salt goes on the 401 (Exaggeration)

 

[shamaal]

Whats a good way of disabling the ac for the winter? i thought of unplugging the conector to the clutch but i am worried about that rusting when they start blasting the salt. Here in ontario once a snowflake hits the gound 500 tonnes of salt goes on the 401 (Exaggeration)

You may remove the connector at the switch on the accumulator, bag it with a twist tie and tape over the switch. You can also get a shorter belt and bypass the compressor completely.

Be aware the oil that lubricates the compressor is carried in the refrigerant oil. The manufacturers recommend the the compressors be turned monthly to keep the seals lubricated.

 

[masospaghetti]

How difficult would it be to rig up a separate A/C switch? I was also getting annoyed that there's not a separate recirculation button.