understanding the '97 A/C

[sixleggedinsect]

My escort has one dial that controls the environmental controls, settings for defrost/ foot air/panel air/ AC/ high AC etc. i want to avoid using the air conditioning if at all possible, because i've heard it affects gas mileage and i just dont need it. i do like a little bit of fan now and again, though.

however, sometimes, when the enviro controls are set to blow air the air that comes out feels to me like the AC is running.

does anyone know the answer to what makes my 97 decide to run the air conditioner or not?

thanks,
anthony

[GTP Dad]

Look in the fuse box or the power control center under the hood. You should see a fuse for the AC. Remove the fuse and the AC will not work. This stops it from kicking on when the system calls for it.

[AzTumbleweed]

If you have what I think you have then the A/C will run in Defrost and Heater/Defrost mode. If you just have it on vent then the a/c shouldn't run.

[sixleggedinsect]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

Look in the fuse box or the power control center under the hood. You should see a fuse for the AC. Remove the fuse and the AC will not work. This stops it from kicking on when the system calls for it.

this sounds great. i take it there are any bad side effects?

thanks,
anthony

[american_muscle97]

yeah... i thought i was the only one noticed that about the airvent doing that, mine does too.. i just never use the ac, or the "max ac" for that matter...