I've had my new (used) '03 SCrew for about three weeks now. I'm confused about the A/C/Heater controls. I'm running with the heat on in either Panel, Panel/Floor or Floor this time of year and yet I think I hear my A/C compressor kick on now and then? Why would that be? Shouldn't the A/C comp work when you have it on A/C or Defrost? Other than that it should be outside air...right? I just want to make sure I'm not running the A/C unnecessarily. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks

 

It runs so it can dehumidify the air. I believe it comes on in all positions except "vent only".

 

Thanks Yankee, I went out and double checked, I don't have "vent only". I have:
Max A/C (which from the owners manual is recirculated A/C)
A/C (which is vented A/C)
Panel
Off
Panel/Floor
Floor
Def/Floor (which I know runs A/C to dry the air)
Defrost (same thing, runs A/C to dry the air)
No A/C on/off switch, no recirc switch. I can't tell what's going on with Panel, Panel/Floor, or Floor. Of course the owners man doesn't state clearly that A/C is on in this setting and A/C is off in this setting. Nor does it mention anything in the fuel economy section. I would think they would mention a certain setting that doesn't run the compressor as a fuel economy suggestion.
Does anyone know for sure which setting does not run the compressor?

 

Panel is the same as vent only.

 

Awesome Yankee, thank you!

 

Panel, Floor, and Off are the only 3 positions that the A/C doesn't run. Max A/C is the only position that recirculates the air.
Some of us have modified the selector switch to behave how we want it to My compressor is set to run only on A/C and Max A/C

 

This is kinda interesting. I figured that as long as it wasn't on AC or max ac that the pump would stay off.

Has anybody tried any tests or anything to see how much gas you could or would save by running on say just the vent, instead of defrost?

 

Is the modification hard? I would be interested in not having the AC run unless I turn it on (but still have fresh air to the defrost since the dog steams it up!)

 

There's a reason the compressor runs most of the time.

Do you think Ford did this so you would burn more fuel?

Over the years it had been determined that if you run the compressor year round, the o-rings and seals that stop the freon from leaking out remain soft and pliable.

Shutting the compressor off for long periods of time causes these o-rings and seals to dry out, and leak.

If you modify your compressor to stop working during the winter, be prepared for freon leaks, and voided warranties.