GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hi all,I wasn't sure where to ask this, so I thought I would start with the locals first. When I set my air selector to windsheild does it automatically turn on the A/C even though the light on the A/C button is not lit? @ reasons I believe this is so: 1) the air that blasts me in the face get freakin' cold! 2) the egines rev's change much the same way as when I turn on the A/C. What do you think?Peace,BB

Yes. When the dial is in either defrost mode (windshield/floor or direct windshield) it does activate the A/C compressor. The air conditioning system, by design, dehumidifies air. Thus, in order to properly defrost/defog windows, the A/C kicks in to take any humidity out of the air.

Yup that is true. The air won't be cold if you turn the dial towards heat.

Thanks for the responses! It seems like an ineffeceient design, doesn't it? The A/C died in my Grand Prix before I got rid of it and the windsheild defrost still worked. I believed that simply the air moving across the condesnation cleared it up without the dehumidifying effect of A/C. As well, while it is true I can turn the tempurature setting warmer all that does is allow more warm air from the heater core to mix in but still operates the A/C components (compressor, etc...) Seems odd that I cannot run the defrost across the windsheild without kicking on the A/C. Oh well, I still love my Vibe! BB

Quote, originally posted by BlackBerry »Seems odd that I cannot run the defrost across the windsheild without kicking on the A/C. Oh well, I still love my Vibe! You actually can disable that with a little minor surgery...

Thanks Mr. Fish! I just found this,http://home.comcast.net/~vibeowner/hidden.htmtalks about discoonecting a wire to disable this "feature."Interesting.BB

the reason its cycled when on defrost is to remove moisture from the air so its not thrown onto the window and fogging it up. It also keeps the A/C working, so it doesn't seize up due to inactivity.Remember, sure you can unhook things... but they were designed that way for a reason.