climate control - AC turning on

It seemed like everytime I got in the car the AC indicator light was on. Found that when the air flow selector switch is positioned to max AC the AC and Recirc lights go on, as indicated in the owners manual. However, when turning the air flow selector switch to the off position and then turning to any other position, the AC indicator light comes on. I can disable the AC by pushing button, then AC stays off until positioned to max AC or pushing AC button again. I understand that in the defrost position the AC compressor will occasionally engage to dry air. But is this common, that is the AC turning on again after switching out of max AC position?

Doesn't sound normal to me. Check with the Ford Dealer. There are other positions that will make the compresssor come on. I think on any position other than upper vents and floor only will make the A/C light come on.

If you're turning switches, then you don't have electronic control do you? I know with the electronic control ones, there have been a few problems with exactly what you descibed. But no, that is not normal and is a problem in the control head.

In my Fusion S the fan speed, heat setting, and air flow selector switches are the dial type. The AC can be engaged by turning air flow selector dial to max AC or pushing the AC button. I talked to a service advisor at the local dealership, he said his Fusion does the same thing, a quirk in the design.