HVAC Question?

Kevin zellweger · July 15, 2003

hi Guy's

My 2001 Silverado has no climate control but i am having a problem with

the recirculation. the way it goes is. the A/C is off and outside air is on.

press the button for recirulation and the A/C comes on no light but i checked to see if the compressor is running and it was. also even if you put the heat control full hot the A/C compressor is still running . I went to my dealer and asked about this situation it didn't look like he knew to much actually he doesn't to begin with but anyway he gets one of the mechanics to check and he say that's the way their built. A/C running with the heat full on? waste of gas and power if you ask me. is it actually supposed to turn on or is my dealer lying . sorry for long post and thanks.

Wingnut · July 15, 2003

If you look closely between the recirc button and the A/C button, it says "max A/C"...Or something like that I believe.

Anyways there is an arrow that points to both of them, and this is normal. All of them do it.

I agree it's odd.

lrymal · July 15, 2003

...running with the heat full on? waste of gas and power if you ask me. is it actually supposed to turn on or is my dealer lying . sorry for long post and thanks.

As mentioned in the earlier letter, RECIRCULATE uses the compressor. The feature has done so for decades when it was formerly known and labeled as MAX AC, also mentioned earlier. Apparently that was too confusing (after 30 years???)) so the industry changed the label to RECIRCULATE.

The compressor kicks in, even with the heat on. No real purpose other than the fact it fulfills the action of MAX AC. A side benefit is that if the vehicle is soaked with high humidity during winter, then the dehumidification will assist in lowering the interior humidity.

Admittedly, the air compressor light can be very misleading. I'm sure if this was designed by Bill Gates of Micro$$$oft fame, he would call this "bug", a "feature".

But, I can tell you that the actual function has been working with this design since the mid-60s. And it was known as MAX AC, and sometimes as MAX AIR for "maximum airconditioning".

The only exception that I recall with my vehicles was a '78 Honda Civic that had a real honestly to goodness kill switch for the compressor. But, I really feel this was exceptional.

Kevin zellweger · July 15, 2003

thank guys I remember seeing the MAx a/c before but it never clued in to much still doesn't make sense to have on. like the idea of the honda with a kill switch