AC and defroster switch

[Kirk in Iowa]

Just got the Rogue about 1,000 miles ago and like most of you, I love it.

But one question. The OM says when the heat/ac switch is turned to defrost, the AC comes on. OK, that's just like most newer cars...But, my Rogue operates just the opposite. AC does not come on when I switch to defrost, but it does come on when I switch back out of defrost.

So, anybody elses work this way?

[spicekay]

mine works the same way..funny cause my husband and I was just commenting on that the other day. So everytime I take it off defrost, I have to turn the ac off, because then it comes on automatically

[Ticmxman]

Previous discussions on the Rogue's AC and recirculate air switches. It would be nice to know from Nissan if the set up of these switches is the way the engineers intended.

« Re: Problems and Solutions (Ticmxman) 7:53 AM 11/11/2007

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Do I have a problem? On my recent road trip to NC I noted a concern with my Rogue's climate controls. Not sure if it is a problem or something unique to Nissan. With the cooler temps I did not need the AC just fresh air but when I pressed the recirculate air button the AC would activate and the AC light would come on. This was occuring with the vent selection in upper (dash vents) mode not defrost. I know that the AC activates in defrost mode but is it normal for it to come on when switching from outside air to recirculate air? It's not that big a deal I just have to manually cut the AC off. jaywhiz21 « Re: Problems and Solutions (Ticmxman) 4:18 PM 11/11/2007

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Quote, originally posted by Ticmxman » Do I have a problem? On my recent road trip to NC I noted a concern with my Rogue's climate controls. Not sure if it is a problem or something unique to Nissan. With the cooler temps I did not need the AC just fresh air but when I pressed the recirculate air button the AC would activate and the AC light would come on. This was occuring with the vent selection in upper (dash vents) mode not defrost. I know that the AC activates in defrost mode but is it normal for it to come on when switching from outside air to recirculate air? It's not that big a deal I just have to manually cut the AC off.

If it's any consolation, mine does the same thing. I think it's a "feature" and not a problem...

Ticmxman « Re: Problems and Solutions (jaywhiz21) 10:34 PM 11/11/2007

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Quote, originally posted by jaywhiz21 » If it's any consolation, mine does the same thing. I think it's a "feature" and not a problem...

Thanks for the info. It still doesn't seem logical to me for the controls to work in this manner. Maybe I'm just use to Hondas and Toyotas where the AC and recirculate air switches are independent of each other.

[ILBUCKI]

I've got the same issue...A/C does not come on with Defrost, but it does come on when moving from Defrost to the lower (foot) output position. I think there is a mechanical mixup here.

[jaywhiz21]

In my opinion, the A/C really IS on when you put the system in defrost mode. It's not an option to shut it off in defrost mode, so the A/C button doesn't light up. When you move the system to floor mode, the A/C light comes on to show you that by default is A/C on, but you then have the option of shutting the A/C off at that point. Hence the light comes on.....

Does this make sense?

[Kirk in Iowa]

In my opinion, the A/C really IS on when you put the system in defrost mode. It's not an option to shut it off in defrost mode, so the A/C button doesn't light up. When you move the system to floor mode, the A/C light comes on to show you that by default is A/C on, but you then have the option of shutting the A/C off at that point. Hence the light comes on.....

Does this make sense?

Actually, this does make some sense....now I've got to lift the hood and try it out!!

[exeunt]

I don't get it.. I use defrost mode in winter when I get into my car and everything is frozen. Tell me why A/C should automatically come on after I'm done with the defrost?

[ILBUCKI]

This is my first Nissan. I've owned Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Mazda, Honda and Acura (yes, I know, a Honda product)...all have the A/C function active in Defrost but NONE keep it on once you move it to another position. In fact, all have the AC light come on when in the Defrost position.

I agree with an earlier post...there does appear to be a drag on the engine when in the Defrost mode (making me think the AC is actually on...but then why wouldn't the light come on?).

[Ticmxman]

I think this AC activation is not as intended by Nissan if my dealer wasn't 50 miles away I would be tempted to have them check it out. I'm sure we will get to the bottom of this issue sooner or later.

That being said if this is worst problem any of the current owners of the Rogues are experiencing I would say Nissan has done a very good job with the design and production of the Rogue. Just check on some of the issues with the competition.

[spicekay]

Your logic sounds correct however, the flaw in it is that, even though the AC light doesnt come on in defrost mode ( you said its on by default), then why do we have the option of actually turning it on and seeing the light in defrost mode?

I would like to think that everytime the AC is actually on, then the lights should indicate that. So if we can manually turn it on during defrost then maybe it wasnt on before

[jaywhiz21]

Your logic sounds correct however, the flaw in it is that, even though the AC light doesnt come on in defrost mode ( you said its on by default), then why do we have the option of actually turning it on and seeing the light in defrost mode?

I would like to think that everytime the AC is actually on, then the lights should indicate that. So if we can manually turn it on during defrost then maybe it wasnt on before

Good point. It would be great if someone could open up their hood and see the A/C action when putting in Defrost mode, then hit the A/C function to turn the light on... Anyone?

-Jimmy

[EddNog]

The A/C is definitely active whenever in a front defrost mode. It is run in order to dry the air used to defog the windshield, to eliminate inside fogging. The only thing that this car does different is that instead of deactivating the A/C when switching back out of a front defog mode, it lights up the A/C indicator and leaves the A/C running. This is done as a convenience; when you switch back to regular mode, it continues to provide dry air, so you won't fog back up quickly and then have to switch back to defog mode again as soon.

To emphasize: when in any front defog mode, the A/C unit is operating to dry the interior air, even though the indicator is off.

-Ed

[jaywhiz21]

Thanks, Ed. That clears up a lot of confusion.-Jimmy

[SkiHound]

And I read on page 6 of the Quick Reference Guide: "The AC automatically turns on when the defroster mode is selected." Doesn't say anything about the light.

[PINODY]

Just a little help FYI, it doesn't make much sense but that's the way Nissan/Infiniti designs it. check out murano.org, infinitifx.org and others.

[Roguerunner]

HI,all! My interpretation to this was that the light on means you're on recirculate & light off means "fresh" or outside air. On all cars I've owned, the defrost works best when using outside air (light off.) I don't think the light has anything to do with the AC mode because there is a separate switch for AC to be on or off!!

[EddNog]

HI,all! My interpretation to this was that the light on means you're on recirculate & light off means "fresh" or outside air. On all cars I've owned, the defrost works best when using outside air (light off.) I don't think the light has anything to do with the AC mode because there is a separate switch for AC to be on or off!!

You're talking about the light on the leftmost knob (fan speed dial/recirculation control button). We're talking about the light on the middle knob (temperature control/AC control button).

-Ed

[Roguerunner]

Ok,sorry! My mistake! Yes,mine is doing that too,which I thought was weird!

[lozen13]

I am confuse so on a winter day I pusg the button and its set to max heat and defrost and my air conditioning comes on?

[EddNog]

I am confuse so on a winter day I pusg the button and its set to max heat and defrost and my air conditioning comes on?

On a cold winter day, turn the right knob to one of the right side modes that denote defog for the front. Press the center of the right knob to turn on the rear defog (it will turn itself off eventually); this will also activate heated side mirrors if your vehicle is so equipped. Turn the center dial all the way to the right. Turn the left dial to the desired fan speed. Bingo, you're good to go. The recirculate will be off and the AC will be on (to bring in fresh, dry air for defogging the interior glass). The warm air temperature will, in turn, defog the outside of the glass. The heater elements in the side view mirrors, if so equipped, will defog those mirrors. The hot air rising from the front defog will also defog the interior rearview mirror. Supplement with seat warming if your vehicle is so equipped. If your feet are cold, use the second to last mode from the right on the rightmost dial. If your feet are getting too hot, make sure you select the very farthest setting to the clockwise direction on the rightmost dial. If the car is getting too hot inside, then obviously turn the center dial back closer to the intermediate setting, and/or also turn down the fan speed on the leftmost dial.

-Ed

[mmyye]

mine dose the same thing, so i went over the manuals, i found out, the quick guide,owner's manual and dvd manual had 3 different answers.

[mmyye]

on page 4-5 of owner's manual

This mode is used to defog the windows anddehumidify the air.1. Push the air recirculation button to theOFF position. (The indicator light turns off.)2. Turn the air flow control dial to theposition.3. Turn the fan speed control dial to thedesired position.4. Push the A/C button on. (The A/C indicatorlight will illuminate.)5. Turn the temperature control dial to thedesired position.

on quick guide it says automatically turn on the ac when u swich to defog.

and on the dvd,it mentions. when the temperature is below 35 or above 35 (forgot which one ) it will turn on automatically

and i found out,

if u turn the dail to the defog, and then turn the fan speed, the a/c turns on automaticlly, if ur fan is on and turn the dail to the defog, the a/c wont turn on automaticlly

[mmyye]

owner manual page 4-4

Defrosting or defogging:This mode directs the air to the defroster outletsto defrost/defog the windows.1. Push the air recirculation button to theOFF position. (The indicator light turns off.)2. Turn the air flow control dial to theposition.3. Turn the fan speed control dial to thedesired position.4. Turn the temperature control dial to thedesired position between the middle and thehot (HI) position.. To remove frost from the outside surface ofthe windshield quickly, turn the temperaturecontrol dial to the maximum hot position andthe fan speed control dial to maximumposition.. If it is difficult to defog the windshield, turnthe A/C button on.