[Nokio]

Why does the A\C come on even when I turn the heat on in any second generation Intrepid I have rode in?
Even a 2001 model I had test driven did this....this is obviously annoying and costly seeing as though when the A\C is running, the car uses more gas overall. You would think that after 98 they would have done something about it....nice in the summer, but overall, it's pretty annoying...

 

[bboucher]

All DC cars do this (I think, my R/T does and so did my '99 Plymouth Voyager), it only does it when you put the selector to de-fog the windows. Any other selection you have to manually turn on the A/C. I think it's dumb too, but it does help keep the fog out of the windows better. They should have left it up to the driver though if they wanted the A/C compressor on or not though.

 

[Big Los]

bboucher,
Does the A/C light come on when this happens, because I have never noticed it. Also, if this is true, then I have been wasting a lot of gas, because I always drive the de-fog setting turned on. ****!!

 

[ViolentWorld]

I'm sure it happens because the compressor will dry the air and kill the humidity within the car.. This is why it clears the windows better.

-Jared

 

[DMAG]

Yup, not just DC cars do this, pretty much all cars turn the compressor on when the defroster is on.

 

[ottowrkr]

It also does this so that in the winter the compressor gets cycled . This helps keep the system lubricated ,and stops the compressor clutch from seizing up. All cars do this.

 

[mlfca]

Otto:

I thought the compressor did not come on when the outside temp fell below 32' when set to defrost.

 

[TehKing]

It does.

Otto: The owners manual (in my car at least) states that the AC comes on in defrost mode because AC removes humidity from air, and using in with the defrost will clear the windows, etc much better. It says nothing about cycling in the winter so it doesn't sieze up.

 

[DMAG]

I've heard the "not seizing" theory before.

I think that having it turn on while the defroster is on serves both purposes. It clears the window easier by taking the humidity out of the air, and keeps the compressor lubed and not frozen in one spot for 6 months. Makes sense.

 

[Bart]

A/C compressors are more efficient now than they use to be, but they do still absorb some of the engine power. I can definitely notice it with my 2.7. Since my windows will fog up even if I just have normal heat on (face and feet selections) when it's cold out, I have to keep my defrost on all the time in the winter. I decided to mount a switch inside my glove compartment (to keep it out of sight) and wire it to the A/C clutch electrical connector so I can keep the A/C from engaging while I'm driving yet still keep my windows clear. I turn the A/C compressor on when I first warm my car up in the morning so the windows de-fog faster, then once I leave I flip the switch to turn the compressor off and I save any gas and power that might be wasted.

 

[btc909]

If you have the Auto air & you see the snowflake turn on which it will anytime you press recirc the AC will pop on a few seconds later. I normally use the vents & toggle to the AC for a few minutes to let the car get old & then back to the vents.
If I need more power or need to get away from a iddiot turn off the AC.

I wish I got the manual air, ah well.

 

[ViolentWorld]

Hey Bart...I dunno about your particular car, but I just hit the lil A/C button on my dash, to turn off the compressor. Ya know...when the lil green light is on, the compressor's running.

-Jared

 

[Bart]

ViolentWorld, I'm talking about while the defrost vent is on. You don't have control over the A/C compressor being on when you are defrosting your front window.

 

[TehKing]

Yeah you do....or at least you do in my car.. you can decide if you want to leave the A/C on or shut it off.

 

[mlfca]

Here's a question.

Do they (DC) make a pollen filter for our Intrepids?

 

[Bart]

LHSer, do you have two defrost settings, one with A/C and one without? I know some cars have that but second generation LH's don't... at least the ones without auto climate control don't have two separate settings.

Just for the record, for those that mention the A/C light being on or off, when in defrost mode, the A/C light is OFF but the compressor is still engaged. I'm not talking about actually turning the A/C on using the button.

 

[Sk8-4ever]

must be nice to have A/C..my compress took a crap

 

[Lafrad]

A/C on the First gens is controlled by a seperate button. we can have any setting with or without A/C.