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Air condition on by itself

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Old 03-11-2010, 01:01 AM
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Air condition on by itself

Sometimes the AC will be on by itself (switch is off). I notice that when I start the car and the engine sound is a little different and I can feel a little breeze. I then switch it to on then off to shut it off.

I don't have a digital AC. It's the dial kind.

Any suggestion?

Thanks.
Old 03-11-2010, 01:03 AM
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The fan switch AND the "auto" button are both off?
Old 03-11-2010, 01:04 AM
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Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
The fan switch AND the "auto" button are both off?
yes both off

It happens sometimes.
Old 03-11-2010, 01:18 AM
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I'm not sure, really. I know that some members have a problem with the A/C system shutting off on its own. Maybe it's the same sort of thing, only reversed? I've never read about this before.
Old 03-11-2010, 01:21 AM
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happened to me before for a couple of times but did go to the dealer to fix it but it stop doing it after couple of weeks.. lol
Old 03-11-2010, 01:29 AM
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Originally Posted by XsuperbeeX
happened to me before for a couple of times but did go to the dealer to fix it but it stop doing it after couple of weeks.. lol
Can you look up your paperwork and tell us what the dealer replaced?

TIA.
Old 03-11-2010, 01:32 AM
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Some cars have a low temperature sensor that runs the AC compressor for five minutes at start up to heat and circulate oil in the system and to remove moisture from the passenger compartment air to prevent the windows from fogging up. You heavy breathers, you.
Old 03-11-2010, 01:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Moviela
Some cars have a low temperature sensor that runs the AC compressor for five minutes at start up to heat and circulate oil in the system and to remove moisture from the passenger compartment air to prevent the windows from fogging up. You heavy breathers, you.
I have never heard of this.

I will let it run by itself without turning it off immediately like I used to do.

Thanks.
Old 03-11-2010, 01:47 AM
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If you have had the AC on, and turn the system off, the AC stays on, just the fans turn off. If you have a window open, or something, it will pull air through the system. Does this sound like it?
Old 03-11-2010, 03:29 AM
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Originally Posted by bdgdl08
If you have had the AC on, and turn the system off, the AC stays on, just the fans turn off. If you have a window open, or something, it will pull air through the system. Does this sound like it?
Seriously? I can't imagine that the system is programmed to leave the compressor running when the fan is completely off. Doesn't make sense.
Old 03-11-2010, 04:03 AM
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Drew I don't think that's right. Shutting the system down will shut down the compressor. This can be felt in my car. Now if I simply turn the a/c off but leave everythingelse on the compressor continues to run for several minutes. But turning the system off means the system should be off completely. An open window or roof will create airflow but it shouldn't be conditioned air even though it might feel cool at first.
Old 03-11-2010, 09:06 AM
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I had heard that it did this for efficiency in some way, but maybe I'm wrong.
Old 03-11-2010, 10:01 AM
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not sure what to say, but good luck
Old 03-11-2010, 12:23 PM
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This happens only when I start my car in garage or after work. I can hear the engine running and another sound then I put my hand close to the vent to feel the cold air. This is how it happens the very first time.

It happened a few times already. Now I just turn the ac knob on and off to turn it off.

As Moviela suggested, I will let it run next time. I will see if it shuts down in 5 minutes.

Last edited by Taiwanese; 03-11-2010 at 12:28 PM.
Old 03-11-2010, 02:05 PM
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My car doesn't do this, but what Moviela said makes perfect sense. These cars can have some really smart features, after all.
Old 03-11-2010, 06:55 PM
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This is just a shot in the dark, but in my 203, when you have the front defroster on, when you turn the defroster off (just the defroster, not the fan speed control) the A/C light will still stay on and you will feel some air coming throught the vents, even if the system is/was off and the Fan Speed Control dial is at "0". And it will stay like that until i turn the air on then back off. Do you ever shut down your car the night before with the defroster on?

And Matt, i dont know the lgoistics of it, but it is bad to stop your compressor dead, which is why it is recommended that you turn your A/C off before you turn your engine off, so my guess would be that when your switch off the A/C the compressor runs for a few minutes to whine down rather than stopping it dead in its tracks.
Old 03-11-2010, 07:51 PM
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Everything was off, no defrost when this happened.
Old 03-11-2010, 08:50 PM
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hmm, never heard of that one Taiwanese. I also have a problem with my A/C where when i turn on my front windshield defogger, the A/C button lights up (turns on) after I shut off the defogger. Not sure if this is normal, but good luck.
Old 03-11-2010, 08:52 PM
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Originally Posted by anthonyy
hmm, never heard of that one Taiwanese. I also have a problem with my A/C where when i turn on my front windshield defogger, the A/C button lights up (turns on) after I shut off the defogger. Not sure if this is normal, but good luck.
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