A/C disabling
February-7th-2002, 07:03 AM
#1
Protege Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Maine
Posts: 97
A/C disabling
Since most of you all know that your a/c comes in automatically with the defroster setting, defroster/feet setting, and the feet setting.
Has anyone had their dealer or speciality shop modify this setting so that a/c only comes on with the defroster setting and defroster/feet setting?
Thanks guys!!
Has anyone had their dealer or speciality shop modify this setting so that a/c only comes on with the defroster setting and defroster/feet setting?
Thanks guys!!
February-7th-2002, 09:14 AM
#3
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 484
I think I found something in another forum, but I haven't tried it myself. Anyway, here's what it said:
There were some posts here about the a/c coming on with 3 of the vent
control settings. Well I disabled it.
It's a bit of a pain in the a$$ but it can be done.
Man I wish I had a digital camera.
BTW- my car is a Canadian model. US models may differ.
If you do not know how to de-solder DO NOT ATTEMPT.
If you do not have a c-clip spreading tool (looks like a pliers with
two metal studs on it) DO NOT ATTEMPT.
DISCLAIMER:
THIS IS NOT AN INSTRUCTION MANUAL. ONLY A RECOLLECTION OF HOW I DID
IT.
I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE YOU CAUSE TO YOU'RE CAR.
1. You need to take the HVAC controls out of the car.
- Unhook the cable control in the driver's footwell
- Unhook the cable control in the passenger footwell
(crawl in and look up there is a round white plastic "thing" with a
post on it, the cable hooks onto it.)
- Pull on the fake carbon fiber silver radio surround. It comes out
easily (no need to remove radio).
- Un-hook the hazard lights switch at the top.
- Now unhook the wire harness at the bottom.
There are 2 micro switches that the vent control pushes on when
turned to certain positions. You need to de-solder the switches to
disable the a/c.
2. To get to the micro-switches
- Take the module off the carbon fiber/silver bezel.(4 screws)
- Take off the ***** on the front. (pull off)
- Unclip the black plastic on the front.
- Unscrew the orange plastic.
- Unscrew the circuit board. (2 screws) DO NOT PULL ON THE BOARD!!
- Look at the bottom.
- Take the cable off the slider control that goes on top of the
black plastic.
YOU NEED A CLIP SPREADING TOOL (looks like a pliers with two studs
sticking out of it) YOU MUST NOT DAMAGE THE WHITE PLASTIC HOLDER OR
THE BLACK RUBBER CASING ON THE CABLE
- Unscrew the black plastic. (2 screws)
- Carefully take out the circuit board.
4. De-solder the two micro switches.
5. Put it all back together again.
control settings. Well I disabled it.
It's a bit of a pain in the a$$ but it can be done.
Man I wish I had a digital camera.
BTW- my car is a Canadian model. US models may differ.
If you do not know how to de-solder DO NOT ATTEMPT.
If you do not have a c-clip spreading tool (looks like a pliers with
two metal studs on it) DO NOT ATTEMPT.
DISCLAIMER:
THIS IS NOT AN INSTRUCTION MANUAL. ONLY A RECOLLECTION OF HOW I DID
IT.
I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE YOU CAUSE TO YOU'RE CAR.
1. You need to take the HVAC controls out of the car.
- Unhook the cable control in the driver's footwell
- Unhook the cable control in the passenger footwell
(crawl in and look up there is a round white plastic "thing" with a
post on it, the cable hooks onto it.)
- Pull on the fake carbon fiber silver radio surround. It comes out
easily (no need to remove radio).
- Un-hook the hazard lights switch at the top.
- Now unhook the wire harness at the bottom.
There are 2 micro switches that the vent control pushes on when
turned to certain positions. You need to de-solder the switches to
disable the a/c.
2. To get to the micro-switches
- Take the module off the carbon fiber/silver bezel.(4 screws)
- Take off the ***** on the front. (pull off)
- Unclip the black plastic on the front.
- Unscrew the orange plastic.
- Unscrew the circuit board. (2 screws) DO NOT PULL ON THE BOARD!!
- Look at the bottom.
- Take the cable off the slider control that goes on top of the
black plastic.
YOU NEED A CLIP SPREADING TOOL (looks like a pliers with two studs
sticking out of it) YOU MUST NOT DAMAGE THE WHITE PLASTIC HOLDER OR
THE BLACK RUBBER CASING ON THE CABLE
- Unscrew the black plastic. (2 screws)
- Carefully take out the circuit board.
4. De-solder the two micro switches.
5. Put it all back together again.
February-7th-2002, 10:11 AM
#4
Protege Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Maine
Posts: 97
Thanks Douggie!! Excellent research on your part.
Now that I know it's a huge deal, I wonder if the dealer would do this?
The A/C coming on at your feet is stupid. The last time I checked, I could see my sneakers just fine even though they had fogged up on me. LOL!!!
Nice job! Let the pondering begin on this topic.
Now that I know it's a huge deal, I wonder if the dealer would do this?
The A/C coming on at your feet is stupid. The last time I checked, I could see my sneakers just fine even though they had fogged up on me. LOL!!!
Nice job! Let the pondering begin on this topic.
February-7th-2002, 11:47 AM
#6
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 484
No prob, just trying to help 
And I think that no dealer will consider doing this mod for us because this is the way the car functions from the factory. Messing with this probably voids the warranty on the A/C system.
So I guess my feet will be enjoying the extra dehumidifying in the winter until my warranty expires
And I think that no dealer will consider doing this mod for us because this is the way the car functions from the factory. Messing with this probably voids the warranty on the A/C system.
So I guess my feet will be enjoying the extra dehumidifying in the winter until my warranty expires
February-7th-2002, 12:20 PM
#7
Cripple Fight!!!!
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 1,944
And dry feet!!!
Originally posted by douggie
No prob, just trying to help
And I think that no dealer will consider doing this mod for us because this is the way the car functions from the factory. Messing with this probably voids the warranty on the A/C system.
So I guess my feet will be enjoying the extra dehumidifying in the winter until my warranty expires
No prob, just trying to help
And I think that no dealer will consider doing this mod for us because this is the way the car functions from the factory. Messing with this probably voids the warranty on the A/C system.
So I guess my feet will be enjoying the extra dehumidifying in the winter until my warranty expires
February-9th-2002, 01:45 PM
#8
Master of All Things :{D
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: southeast texas, near houston
Posts: 4,118
you know, there is a reason that its made to come on with some settings...and settings that are typically used in winter....that is to keep your A/C all lubed up and functional...its not a good thing to have the system sit totally unused for extended periods of time....seals tend to dry out and there goes all your coolant.
February-9th-2002, 10:00 PM
#9
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 484
Yeah, I know it's good to have the A/C on once in a while during winter to keep the refrigerant flowing, but I don't need it to be on all the time. 
Well, I guess this is a "if-you-can't-beat-them,-join-them" kind of thinking
Well, I guess this is a "if-you-can't-beat-them,-join-them" kind of thinking
February-10th-2002, 07:53 AM
#10
Im fastr then u think u r
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Toronto IS NOT Canada
Posts: 257
A/C IS useful in the winter
Maybe I got lucky but my A/C only comes on when I push the button or the full defrost is on...not at all when I have it on floor or def/flr. I know because I use the defrost when it's raining out and the windows are fogging (this is the only setting the windows won't fog on unless I push the button!).
Now with A/C...you should use it periodically to keep it lubed up...this is true...but did you know what A/C does? As the air flows into your heater plenum, it passes through the A/C evaporator. This cooles the air down, causing it to loose the condensation (sp?) hence the term "Air Conditioning". Then it passes through the heater core and warms up and on into your car.
Now your asking WTF this guy is on...Think of this...In the winter (northern regions) the gov't uses f**king salt on the roads (political outrage in progress) because the population dosen't understand that they have to slow down and drive according to the weather. This salt and water combo gets on our boots and shoes and into the car as we get in and drive. If you run just the heat setting you are blowing warm wet air onto you high-buck leather shoes and onto your carpet. As this water sits in the carpet it soaks into the underpadding and to the floor causing the rust spot commonly found under the gas pedal on most cars! So, the moral of the story is...invest in "Pant saver" rubber floor mats, they work to hold all the water from your feet (my uncle also informs me they also hold a full bottle of beer if need be), put your A/C button on and to the floor setting, and crack a window (invest in Vent visors so you don't get hosed in the face when you use your washer fluid). The other benifit...you wont get that wet dog smell in your car in the spring!
Working to keep all the Pro-family cars nice for the next generation!
Now with A/C...you should use it periodically to keep it lubed up...this is true...but did you know what A/C does? As the air flows into your heater plenum, it passes through the A/C evaporator. This cooles the air down, causing it to loose the condensation (sp?) hence the term "Air Conditioning". Then it passes through the heater core and warms up and on into your car.
Now your asking WTF this guy is on...Think of this...In the winter (northern regions) the gov't uses f**king salt on the roads (political outrage in progress) because the population dosen't understand that they have to slow down and drive according to the weather. This salt and water combo gets on our boots and shoes and into the car as we get in and drive. If you run just the heat setting you are blowing warm wet air onto you high-buck leather shoes and onto your carpet. As this water sits in the carpet it soaks into the underpadding and to the floor causing the rust spot commonly found under the gas pedal on most cars! So, the moral of the story is...invest in "Pant saver" rubber floor mats, they work to hold all the water from your feet (my uncle also informs me they also hold a full bottle of beer if need be), put your A/C button on and to the floor setting, and crack a window (invest in Vent visors so you don't get hosed in the face when you use your washer fluid). The other benifit...you wont get that wet dog smell in your car in the spring!
Working to keep all the Pro-family cars nice for the next generation!
April-8th-2003, 08:31 PM
#12
formerly chastan
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: California, USA
Posts: 2,350
Lol...I have to use my A/C all the time to clean up the windows, even when cold...I used to use it all the time but I realized I can get away without it most times. I'm glad the switch on mine is totally seperate from the rest of the controls.
Maxx, the guys on the rx-7club found the real assclown (the guy in your avatar).
Maxx, the guys on the rx-7club found the real assclown (the guy in your avatar).
April-9th-2003, 12:11 AM
#14
I am TEH W1N!!!
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,076
Originally posted by Mach 1
My compressor only comes on during the full defrost setting, not on the defrost/floor or floor only as several people had stated.
Whats up? Are you guys mistaken?
My compressor only comes on during the full defrost setting, not on the defrost/floor or floor only as several people had stated.
Whats up? Are you guys mistaken?
