Maxx Mazda

Have you not done your research on anything? The air Conditioning WILL come on in Floor, Floor/Defrost, and Defrost positions even though the light does not turn on. Don't believe me? Idle your car, crank a window down, and select (from panel or bi-level) the Floor position. Listen to the A/C compressor kick in.

Mazda has it designed that way for some stupid reason.

AwaKeN

it's not for a stupid resason, it's because if you have some snow where your foots stands and you put the defrost/foot position then the humidity will make some frost in your windows. That's why they put the A/C when the defrost/foot position is selected ..

Mark_02DX

Yup... By golly, you're right. Revs drop & then come back up whenever the switch is in the last 3 positions.

That explains my lousy gas mileage...My AC's been on all winter long! I wonder why the owner's manual doesn't mention anything about this?

Mach 1

Why should they? The average Joe doesnt give a **** and theres nothing to do about it anyway. Are you going to leave your heat off in the winter to save on gas?

It is actually a good thing for the most part. It will eliminate humidity from the interior, and keep the a/c system lubed up year round.

Only negative is slightly worse mileage.

Maxx Mazda

And a dry nose!

funkalicious

I noticed this yesterday! Going home, it's 82 and I want cool feet. I flip it to floor, set the **** to coldest and turn the fan to #1. WTF the air's ice cold! I'm thinking this can't be, I didn't turn on the air. Get home, pop the hood and sure enough, the refrigerant lines are ice cold.

So I read the owners manual. There it is in black and white. I understand the lube part but, why not have it come on in DEFROST mode only the mode most used in winter??? I figured out how to buy the damn car, let me adjust the climate controls how I want! (Honda also has this system but it only comes on with defrost and there's a way to over-ride it.)

Anyway, I have a guy checking it out at Mazda R&D.

Stoooooooopid!

Mach 1

Most every car has the compressor come on in defrost. I have only owned one brand out of 7 different brand vehicles I have owned where the compressor did not come on in defrost, and that is an Isuzu.

To overide the system in defrost would be stupid, as it does that for the reason previously explained.

I am surprised at the current mazda set up (my 2000 doesnt come on, only in defrost) but I wouldnt lose sleep over it. If its too cold for you, turn the temperature adjustment **** up to a warmer setting.

AwaKeN

Since i have read this post, i have metion this "problem" to my father, and one of my friend, we have read their manuals and got the same anwser: when the defrost is set up then the A/C will come on ... their cars is: a Chrysler Cebring and a Nissan X-Terra ! so it's not just our protege that have this settup !

funkalicious

No one is saying that it's stupid for the A/C to come on while in defrost mode.

I am saying it is stupid for it to come on in floor mode.

The air isn't too cold, I just don't want the extra load on the engine. The A/C saps 10-15 HP and it kills MPG. I know it isn't the end of the world, I just think it's a dumb "feature" and would like to change it if I can.

Mach 1

I agree with you, but dont think it uses that much power (maybe 5 hp or less) and I dont think its worth the trouble to modify your new cars electrial system.

funkalicious

Yeah, you're right, probably more like 5-7 HP. But, depending on driving conditions, that could be around 10-15% of your HP.

I wouldn't rewire anything. If there is an easy fix, I'll go that route.

Basically, I just wanted to rant a bit.

Maxx Mazda

There is an easy fix! Just de-solder the switches!

daxclark

Try this fix that I whipped up. Much easier to do than messing with circuit boards. Not sure what car you are doing it to, but it should work the same on any car.

http://community.webshots.com/album/410888634bzFimz


-Dax Clark

wwb37

Here is a very simple solution for the winter months: Simply remove the A/C fuse from the fuse block in the Engine compartment. According to the owner's manual for a Canadian 2006 Mazda 3, this is fuse #26. When summer comes back, just put the fuse back in. SIMPLE.

There is also an A/C fuse in the fuse block on the passenger side (#76), but it is labeled "Air Conditioner / Heater Control Unit" . If you remove this one you might not have any heat. Try both and see what happens. The effect is as if you blew a fuse, and since it is easily reversible , I don't see any harm that this will do. Just put the fuse back if you don't like the results.

zoomzoommpgt

Yeap, pullin out those two little swtiches does the trick, I did that with in the first month of ownin my P5 back on 2002, I hated the ac commin on when mazda felt it should, rainy days and getting in and out of the car makes you have to sit an way a couple of minutes for your windows to go through an anoying cycle of fogin up from the mosture on the evaporator and dry up so you can see. stop the ac from commin on and you've stoped that issue.

Hey, that 02 P5 wasn't from Pacific mazda in Victoria was it() if it is you may have my old silver P5:P).