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1998 F-150. Why does the A/C compressor engage in the floor/vent combination setting but not floor alone or vent alone settings? I understand why it is on in A/C, Max A/C and defrost settings.
In older GM cars I think bi-level did engage the compressor, only "vent" and "heat" were considered economy mode. Bi-level was supposed to deliver cool air to the upper body while it delivered slightly warmer air to the feet, although it never worked that great to me.
Do you mean the "Bi-level" where about half the air comes out the dash vents, and about half out the floor, or the defrost/floor vent setting?
Yes.
So, If it is cold in the car and I want warm air and I want the air coming out of the vents and the floor, then I have to have the A/C compressor ON. I wish domestic cars had an independent A/C switch like Toyota. You want the compressor ON? You press the A/C button. It is independent of where the air is set to come from.
So, why was it designed that way? If I don't want the compressor ON, then I have to have floor only or vent only or OFF.
When the outside temperature dips below a certain point (not sure the exact point), the compressor is not supposed to come on, even if it's on "max".
It's 42F here in Huntsville right now. I just tried this. The compressor still went on in the bi-level position and off when I switched to vent or floor. This occurred whether the temperature setting was in full warm or full cold.
So, If it is cold in the car and I want warm air and I want the air coming out of the vents and the floor, then I have to have the A/C compressor ON. I wish domestic cars had an independent A/C switch like Toyota. You want the compressor ON? You press the A/C button. It is independent of where the air is set to come from.
So, why was it designed that way? If I don't want the compressor ON, then I have to have floor only or vent only or OFF.
Even with an independent A/C switch, many cars still use compressed air if any of it is directed at the windshield and will override the A/C switch's "off" setting to do so. But it does seem silly to use compressed air if none of it is directed at the windshield. I wonder if your particular example wasn't wired properly.
Does this mean the compressor should not be engaging when in the vent/floor position on a 1998 F-150?
I don't know if it's "not supposed to," I'm just saying I don't see why the compressor should be turning on in winter unless some of the air is directed at the windshield to serve a defrost function. Maybe Ford did it on purpose on your truck, though if so, I don't know why. Or maybe it's not actually supposed to do that but for some reason it does on your specific truck. I honestly don't know.
Do you mean the "Bi-level" where about half the air comes out the dash vents, and about half out the floor, or the defrost/floor vent setting?
I just re-read your question. I meant the floor and the vent panel, not the floor and the defrost windshield. So I guess the Bi-level, if that is what it is called.
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