Air Conditioning without the A/C "ON"

[RWS]

On the 2002 Silverado, air blowing out in the basic circulation/fan mode is blowing out 40-degree air. This is not in air conditioning mode, either, this is "normal" air circulation! The truck has about 39K miles and has been through winters and summers without having this problem, until recently.....

A few weeks ago after the SES light was on, the truck died, and the dealer replaced the distributor cap which had corroded because of condensation dripping from the a/c lines directly above it. Replacement and repair of the distributor cap did solve the SES problem, but did not alter the cold air blowing out.

The truck has been to the dealer three times now, and today's statement from the dealer's technician is that this low temp is normal. The technician has the spec sheet that says the part that was replaced a day ago (which has not altered the low temp air from flowing) has been re-designed and that it is now working like the new part is supposed to. This part is the A/C control head, Control #9.273, Part #15054697.

Any comments or ideas?

[NatvTxn]

Just bought a used '01. Truck is in amazing shape for 36k but I noticed the same thing. The AC light on the button won't turn off when you push the button. You have to push the outside air button on the far left and get the temperature dial off of coldest setting. If you look closely you can see "MAX" and two arrows pointing to the left and righ positioned between the A/C button and the recirc button. I believe what it means is if either on of those buttons is active or on it is in MAX air mode and will run the compressor. The only way I got my compressor to turn off was to turn the temperature dial just enough to get it off of full cold, and push the outside air button. The AC light went off, the recirc light went off, the compressor then shut off and it stopped blowing 40deg air.

Hope this helps...

Kenneth

[sduker]

I have a 2000 and believe in my case it's from the defrost setting. If I move the setting totally off defrost the air is not cold.

Scott

[kevine323]

I have the same problem, the vent on recirculated air (w/o AC on) feels exactly like when the AC is on. It also sounds like the AC even kicks on when its only on vent.

[joeval]

It sounds like the a/c button or the relay it controls gets stuck in the on position. More than likely, it's the button. They might get dirty inside and not disengage. See if clicking on and off and maybe tapping it a bit will disengage. If not, you may have to replace it or take it apart to clean it.

[Chevy_girl00]

I think joeval may be right. My friend has a 2003 Dodge Ram and the air conditioning does the exact same thing. I believe it may just be a common problem and possibly nothing to worry about.

[Dale fan]

mine has always done it. thought it was normal