[umina]

Let me help shed some light on this. I've got the EATC on my '01, and the way to get control of the AC coming on and off as it pleases, is to NOT USE ANY AUTO SETTING, avoid the AUTO button at all costs! Just press the button to the far right (before the max AC button) for vent, then toggle the temp. down to 60, this will not allow the AC to turn on unless you a. press the auto button, or b. press the Max Air button. If Max air is on, and you want to turn off the AC, just press the vent button again, which will disengage the AC and put you back into manual mode. I prefer to manually control the heat and cold, so I can prevent excessive wear and tear on the AC components.

The AC will ALWAYS turn on when you toggle the Defrost, this is just the nature of the beast, will be for any car out there. And it doesn't matter if heat or cool is selected.