How do I turn my A/C off?

[druid]

I just bought a 2005 Ranger FX4-II with "all the trimmins". Now, the HVAC control has an "AC" setting and a "AC MAX" or something. Manual says this is A/C. But when I mentioned to the PO I liked running the AC to clear the windows on defrost, he said as far as he knew the AC was ALWAYS on, for any HVAC setting but one (heat going down).

Is this true? Seems to be, since it's easy to get really cold on just about any setting and the fuel economy sucks.

Is there a way to install a switch so I can turn the A/C on or off whenever I want?

druid

 

[Snoranger]

The A/C should only be on when in the a/c, max a/c, and defrost positions.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

The A/C should only be on when in the a/c, max a/c, and defrost positions.

2nd'd

 

[kimcrwbr1]

It cycles in the defrost setting to remove the moisture from the cab it wont affect the heat any. I would not mess with it have you watched the compressor when it is in heat mode does the clutch cycle.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

The A/C should only be on when in the a/c, max a/c, and defrost positions.

thats correct. when ur using the first position to the left going fro OFF its just air from the fan. that one is good to keep the truck "breathing" while parked under direct sunlight, it keeps the outer vents open.
the 2 positions to the right going from OFF position will give fan air too, no Ac working there. when u choose feet and dash direction the ac will work. if u place the thermostat in the middle it will give warm air to the feet and cold to the dash or the defroster.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Actually I believe the A/c will run in any setting minus the floor... Even for defrost and stuff. Mine will cycle on and off in every setting, and it gets hot or cold...

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Actually I believe the A/c will run in any setting minus the floor... Even for defrost and stuff. Mine will cycle on and off in every setting, and it gets hot or cold...

This is correct for the newer ranger. 98+ IIRC.

 

[v8318cid]

Interestingly, at one time Defrost settings didn't enable the A/C (just relied on heat to clear the glass), but this was changed back somewhere in the late 70s or early 80s. First position to the left of OFF (Vent) and second position to the right of OFF (Floor) are non-A/C. All others fire the compressor. Generation II Rangers with the horizontal controls enables A/C on FLR-DEF and DEFROST only. Otherwise, you have to push the fan switch in to enable A/C (the amber light will glow just below the switch). Even in MAX A/C the compressor doesn't run unless you push the fan button in. If you remove the control head, you'll find a small micro-switch on the right side that actuates the compressor when the controls are moved to defrost, etc...
Not sure on Gen I rangers, but I think they had an A/C button as well and were completely manual otherwise.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Could you just unplug the compressor or would that throw a CEL.

 

[druid]

Looks like I like my Nissan setup: there's a pushbutton switch called "A/C" - push it and you get AC, irrespective of the fan setting. Turn it off, no AC on any setting. Works for me!

Is there any way I can modify the controls so I can have such a switch on my Ranger? I REALLY don't need AC most of the time - just sometimes for defrost, and some days when driving in the Interior. Otherwise it's a waste of fuel.

I don't know what Generation my Ranger is, but it's 2005, and has a rotary fan switch.

druid

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

Looks like I like my Nissan setup: there's a pushbutton switch called "A/C" - push it and you get AC, irrespective of the fan setting. Turn it off, no AC on any setting. Works for me!

Is there any way I can modify the controls so I can have such a switch on my Ranger? I REALLY don't need AC most of the time - just sometimes for defrost, and some days when driving in the Interior. Otherwise it's a waste of fuel.

I don't know what Generation my Ranger is, but it's 2005, and has a rotary fan switch.

druid

until 94, it was like that. way easier lol

 

[Jay FX4]

IIRC, there was a thread (or maybe it was in the Tech Library) where someone installed a switch to control thee compressor manually.

Looks like I like my Nissan setup: there's a pushbutton switch called "A/C" - push it and you get AC, irrespective of the fan setting. Turn it off, no AC on any setting. Works for me!

My mom's '01 Focus has the A/C button. It would be nice if all vehicles had it.

 

[shane96ranger]

This would be really easy. Just put a switch on the positive wire on the A/C clutch. All you need to do is find which one is positive (easy to do with a digital voltmeter). I'm highly doubting it would throw a code. Mine is a 96 and it didn't throw a code when I unplugged mine last winter.

 

[ElleShooTiger]

I love having the A/C on/off button on my Impala, its great to have a/c on regardless of the vent setting!

This would be really easy. Just put a switch on the positive wire on the A/C clutch. All you need to do is find which one is positive (easy to do with a digital voltmeter). I'm highly doubting it would throw a code. Mine is a 96 and it didn't throw a code when I unplugged mine last winter.

Bad idea!!!! Splice a switch into the power wire going into the vent/a/c control (think its gray/yellow) and then into the wire going from the switch to the PCM (purple on later models). This will act like the switch is always placed into a position that commands a/c, while also letting the PCM control the compressor clutch actuation depending on the pressure switches. Making the compressor run non-stop will cause lots of damage.

 

[ElleShooTiger]

Could you just unplug the compressor or would that throw a CEL.

The PCM only commands the compressor relay, there wont be a CEL since the PCM doesnt really know if its running or not anyway.