Ok I'm fully aware that most if not all cars turn on the AC compressor when you switch the hvac controls to defrost. But in my car I put the dial to hot, air setting on 1-4, and I'm on defrost and my little AC light is off.
Now if I rotate over to have it blow on the floor the AC light turns on? I was under the impression that while on the defrost or defrost/floor the light would be on then when I switch to any other one the light would go off. Mine does the oposite.
Now even though the light is not on when I'm on defrost my compressor is kicking on. I know this two ways. First the window defogged in half a second. Second I can feel the car shudder when the compressor clutch engages. It's slight and most wouldn't notice it but I can.
Maybe everything is working right and I should just read the manual but thought I'd post.
AC turns itself on, is this normal?
Re: AC turns itself on, is this normal? (robj80)
well like I should have done in the beginning, I read the manual. Boy did Nissan make the worlds stupidest hvac system. Well the one they made on my g20 was stupid as well. Nissan can't get the AC thing down.
Ideally for me the AC should never come on unless I push that nice little button that say AC. This would make sense right? But since alot of people don't realize the defog/defrost works best with AC I can see them making it come on automatically.
That's fine, here is where nissan F'd up. They make it so I can't shut the dam AC off if I have the dial on defrost. This is an economy car for petes' sake. I'm trying to get the best MPG's I can and it's dam hard with an AC compressor sucking down my fuel. Also why do they leave the compressor on if I switch over to any other air position. Now you would think Nissan would make the AC compressor automatically shut off if the dial is switched. I mean they make it automatically come on.
Ideally for me the AC should never come on unless I push that nice little button that say AC. This would make sense right? But since alot of people don't realize the defog/defrost works best with AC I can see them making it come on automatically.
That's fine, here is where nissan F'd up. They make it so I can't shut the dam AC off if I have the dial on defrost. This is an economy car for petes' sake. I'm trying to get the best MPG's I can and it's dam hard with an AC compressor sucking down my fuel. Also why do they leave the compressor on if I switch over to any other air position. Now you would think Nissan would make the AC compressor automatically shut off if the dial is switched. I mean they make it automatically come on.
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Promise Land
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Re: AC turns itself on, is this normal? (robj80)
In a colder climate that won't use the A/C much, you don't the compressor to kick on to circulate the oil. Years ago people would have the compressor lock up in colder climates because they wouldn't use the A/C for months in the colder months. Most OEMs now have the defroster cycle the A/C system so that you circulate the oil to keep it lubed in the colder months.
It can be a PITA but you'll thank Nissan when it comes time turn on the A/C and it works properly and doesn't freeze the compressor and throw the belt off the engine or do more damage.
It can be a PITA but you'll thank Nissan when it comes time turn on the A/C and it works properly and doesn't freeze the compressor and throw the belt off the engine or do more damage.
Re: (biggie)
Maybe this is why I'm going on my third compressor in the G20 . I don't ever use the AC.biggie wrote:In a colder climate that won't use the A/C much, you don't the compressor to kick on to circulate the oil. Years ago people would have the compressor lock up in colder climates because they wouldn't use the A/C for months in the colder months. Most OEMs now have the defroster cycle the A/C system so that you circulate the oil to keep it lubed in the colder months. It can be a PITA but you'll thank Nissan when it comes time turn on the A/C and it works properly and doesn't freeze the compressor and throw the belt off the engine or do more damage
According to the owners manual on the 09, which is for the 1.8 as well as 1.6 the compressor cycles when you select defrost or defrost/feet position. The light does NOT illuminate but the compressor is cycling. Also you can not shut it off.biggie wrote:My AC shuts off just fine with it on defrost or defrost/feet. Maybe the base 1.6 is different.
It would cut back on if you go from defrost to defrost/feet, even just passing by it would cut it back on.
So according to the manual the 1.6 is the same as the 1.8 at least on the 09.
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biggie
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Re: (robj80)
Different than the '07 then, might light comes on for it and can be turned off.robj80 wrote:According to the owners manual on the 09, which is for the 1.8 as well as 1.6 the compressor cycles when you select defrost or defrost/feet position. The light does NOT illuminate but the compressor is cycling. Also you can not shut it off.
So according to the manual the 1.6 is the same as the 1.8 at least on the 09.
Re: (biggie)
Dammit that would be great. I want that feature.
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biggie
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Re: (robj80)
Well it is for sale.robj80 wrote:Dammit that would be great. I want that feature.
Re: (biggie)
Thank but I just picked up my 1.6 and I'm loving 36+mpg right off the lot
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1_Sleek_Versa
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Re: (robj80)
Well that,s great because I got 23 mpg off the lot. lol
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Rockhound
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Re: (biggie)
Hmmm...'07 SL owner here, and ours behaves like Rob describes - turn the vent selector to the defrost position and the A/C comes on without the light illuminating.biggie wrote:Different than the '07 then, might light comes on for it and can be turned off.
Like others have mentioned, I don't mind this dummy 'feature' since it is technically beneficial for your A/C system. I doubt the A/C load on the engine results in a huge fuel efficiency loss anyway.
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iluvmyVersa08
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Re: (Rockhound)
My A/C light comes on when I turn the dial to a position that is to do w/ defrost. However if I turn the defrost dial back to just the head or head/feat the A/C light stays on and I have to push it off. I'm so used to it now I always do it, but sometimes people ask why I have the A/C on in the winter, lol.
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Rockhound
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Re: (iluvmyVersa08)
A lot of people also don't understand that the A/C is crucial in dehumidifying the air to help defog the windshield. I'm guessing that's why it's becoming almost a standard feature across the board to have auto-A/C on with the defrost vent selection.iluvmyVersa08 wrote:...but sometimes people ask why I have the A/C on in the winter, lol.
Re: (iluvmyVersa08)
the a/c dries the air coming into the car and will get rid of that annoying condensation on the inside of your windows which is especially an issue in more humid environments. Rockhound is completely right, the defrost turning on the a/c is quite useful.
Re: (fjwagner)
I know it's purpose and why it's useful. I was just saying nissan should have made it the users choice or at least make it automatically shut off when you switch to a non defrost vent.
Re: (robj80)
I've now found three different threads on this issue, so I'm beginning to accept that this bizarre behavior is "normal" for the Versa . . . but I will just verify that on my brand new 2009 Versa Sedan 1.8S the A/C light does NOT come on when I turn on the defog modes, but DOES come on when I switch back to vent . . . From what I'm reading above, this is "normal" . . . though it seems to annoy many people. [I haven't yet figured out all the new sounds on this car to verify when the compressor is coming on vs. when the light on the button comes on, but I'll take your word for it for now.]
I'm still uncertain why I would want the A/C to run in the winter once defogging is complete and I switch to vent, but apparently someone thought it was a good idea . . .
Anyway, thanks to all the forum contributors for helping me learn "the new normal" I had my previous car over 20 years, so much about "normal" has changed from what I'm used to . . .
I'm still uncertain why I would want the A/C to run in the winter once defogging is complete and I switch to vent, but apparently someone thought it was a good idea . . .
Anyway, thanks to all the forum contributors for helping me learn "the new normal" I had my previous car over 20 years, so much about "normal" has changed from what I'm used to . . .