A/C without A/C switch?

[mohammad]

2 questions.


1. based on the bottom right paragraph from the FSM can the AC compressor turn on while the ac switch is off?

2. How does the car detect that the temperature Slider is in the "max A/C" position?

[Basic]

If I had to guess, even the manual heat and air knobs are still just electric potentiometers. Its just a position instead of a number.

[mohammad]

Bump because I’m very curious along with the eco modders if AC can turn in without the switch being illuminated. That would make daox shorter serpentine belt mod make a much bigger impact on performance than we may have thought

[7milesout]

1. based on the bottom right paragraph from the FSM can the AC compressor turn on while the ac switch is off?

Sort of a loaded question, but I will answer it the best I can. I believe from what you posted you have the manual A/C system. To answer your question, I believe the answer to be YES. For example, if you start in the NO A/C and vent position in FACE mode, then rotate the mode selection knob to the defrost position, the A/C compressor will be activated. I don't know if the A/C light turns on even if you don't push the button. I think the light stays off though. But in any event, even though you didn't push the A/C button, the compressor is automatically activated just by turning the knob to the defrost position.

2. How does the car detect that the temperature Slider is in the "max A/C" position?

I would imagine there are electrical contacts behind the dials that convey a signal (or lack thereof).

[Mark]

Sort of a loaded question, but I will answer it the best I can. I believe from what you posted you have the manual A/C system. To answer your question, I believe the answer to be YES. For example, if you start in the NO A/C and vent position in FACE mode, then rotate the mode selection knob to the defrost position, the A/C compressor will be activated. I don't know if the A/C light turns on even if you don't push the button. I think the light stays off though. But in any event, even though you didn't push the A/C button, the compressor is automatically activated just by turning the knob to the defrost position.

I would imagine there are electrical contacts behind the dials that convey a signal (or lack thereof).

I believe mohammad has an older base level Mirage, & an older base level Mirage in Canada did not come with A/C.

When auto climate controls became standard for all Mirages in Canada (don't remember the year), A/C became standard for all Mirages there, too. You really can't have auto climate controls without A/C.

In the States -

All 2014-22 Mirages have A/C, & auto climate controls was standards for all 2014-15 Mirage trim levels. Auto climate controls also became standard for all Mirage trim levels in 2020.

Only the 2017-19 Mirage ES or LE trim levels would have manual controls with A/C in the States.

I have a 2017 ES. Pushing in the snow flake A/C button (causing a little light on the button itself to go on) is the only way to activate/turn on the A/C with manual controls. Temperature knob does not & can not turn on the A/C feature.

Not sure I understand the question exactly? I claim stupidity if I haven't answered it!

[mohammad]

I have a 2017 ES. Pushing in the snow flake A/C button (causing a little light on the button itself to go on) is the only way to activate/turn on the A/C with manual controls. Temperature knob does not & can not turn on the A/C feature.

You are correct i do not have A/C But that is not relevant to my question..

My question was that the screenshot i shared from the Factory Service manual says that A/C on manual A/C cars such as your can come on while the A/C snowflake button is off. I was wondering if this is true? if anyone has tested this?

[Mark]

You are correct i do not have A/C But that is not relevant to my question..

My question was that the screenshot i shared from the Factory Service manual says that A/C on manual A/C cars such as your can come on while the A/C snowflake button is off. I was wondering if this is true? if anyone has tested this?

I answered your question.

A/C only operates when the A/C snow flake button is pushed in.

There is nothing you can do to make A/C come on any other way! That is why I love manual climate controls and absolutely hate auto ones!!!!!

You are looking at this somewhat backwards.

Manual A/C means - when that A/C button is push in manually the A/C is on! It doesn't matter what vent mode you switch on. The A/C will remain on regardless, and that is what that paragraph is referring to I believe.

If you want your A/C off, you have to manually push the A/C button off!


My 2015 Chevy Impala (driving school car) has manual climate controls, too. Unless you push the A/C button in itself, the A/C in the car will remain off regardless of where any other dials are turned. The Mirage is no different.

The Mirage, however, offers superior manual control over the Impala. If I have the A/C button pushed in on the Impala and I turn the temperature dial to maximum cold, the recirculated air automatically comes on. You can't by pass it either. If I go two clicks from maximum cold, it will go back to fresh air automatically.

With my Mirage, I have total control over that, too. Fresh & recirculated air are controlled by a lever. Nothing is automatic, & I prefer that! I dislike most things in life that are automatic. I think that makes me a "control freak" maybe?

[7milesout]

My question was that the screenshot i shared from the Factory Service manual says that A/C on manual A/C cars such as your can come on while the A/C snowflake button is off. I was wondering if this is true? if anyone has tested this?

Yes it can. My post stands (except I thought you were asking as an A/C car owner). Unless I'm proven wrong. Because this is what the instructions are saying or trying to communicate: If, from starting in the face ventilated mode with A/C off, the operator turns the mode knob to the DEFROST position, the compressor will be activated (even without having to press the A/C button). I know this because most modern cars do this and I find it annoying. Because I like control, and this action takes control away.

Meaning, I would like to be able to choose the mode completely independently of A/C activation. If I want to turn on the A/C to improve the defrosting, I know where the A/C button is. But there may be instances where I want it on defrost without the compressor turning. However, most vehicle operators don't realize the effect the A/C has on defrosting. So, the manufactures have decided that defrosting performance is more important that operator control.


Sure there's a chance I'm wrong. I'm in the wrong just about every time I open my mouth around my wife. But in this case, I believe I'm correct.

[Mark]

Yes it can. My post stands (except I thought you were asking as an A/C car owner). Unless I'm proven wrong. Because this is what the instructions are saying or trying to communicate: If, from starting in the face ventilated mode with A/C off, the operator turns the mode knob to the DEFROST position, the compressor will be activated (even without having to press the A/C button). I know this because most modern cars do this and I find it annoying. Because I like control, and this action takes control away.

Meaning, I would like to be able to choose the mode completely independently of A/C activation. If I want to turn on the A/C to improve the defrosting, I know where the A/C button is. But there may be instances where I want it on defrost without the compressor turning. However, most vehicle operators don't realize the effect the A/C has on defrosting. So, the manufactures have decided that defrosting performance is more important that operator control.


Sure there's a chance I'm wrong. I'm in the wrong just about every time I open my mouth around my wife. But in this case, I believe I'm correct.

You are wrong, & I have stated how it works in two post now. If you want to drive to SW Wisconsin, I will prove it.

I know exactly what your are talking about, and you are wrong about this when it concerns the manual A/C on a Mirage. It is truly manual A/C, & nothing will automatically active it in the car outside of pushing the A/C snow flake button in.

I have owned vehicles were the full defrost automatically actives the A/C even with manual controls, but the Mirage with manual controls DOES NOT DO THIS!

My 2000 Honda CR-V did what you are describing, but my 2017 Mirage does not!

If I want A/C with defrost, I must manually turn on the A/C with the snow flake A/C button. Turning on the defrost full blast does not automatically active A/C in my Mirage, but it did on my 2000 CR-V.

This is also why I suggest turning your A/C on at times. It could literally goes months without it ever being turned on in my Mirage, and it's good for the A/C seals to have it run at times.

[allrock]

You are correct i do not have A/C But that is not relevant to my question..

My question was that the screenshot i shared from the Factory Service manual says that A/C on manual A/C cars such as your can come on while the A/C snowflake button is off. I was wondering if this is true? if anyone has tested this?

that snow flake switch is technically a switch for the magnetic clutch so if its off the magnetic clutch is off so your compressor is technically off, i already observed this because we are a tropical country so our ac is always on. but it im travelling on provinces and sometimes is cold im switching my ac off for my compressor to rest and also for fuel economy, i did not observed the compressor turning on while the switch is off.