Auto Climate Control Question (v2.0)

[fbachman]

It was around freezing a few mornings ago. Hit the "Auto" button, and the snow flake lights up as well, Temp set to about 73F. Interior was probably high 30s at that moment.

 

Am I correct to assume that the compressor is ALWAYS running when the snowflake is lit, or does the Auto Climate Control turn the compressor off as needed when cold?

 

I admit that in the cold I turn the snow flake button OFF with AUTO on, as I am trying to heat the car.

 

I understand why the compressor must work for defrost, but it seems bizarre to me that with all the gee-whiz gadgetry of the Auto Climate Control that it would always run the compressor, even in winter.

 

I asked my local GMC service shop, and they believe that a lit snow flake = Compressor Running. The manual wasn't terribly clear about all of this.

 

The service guy was honest in-so-far that he said "I'm not positive, but I think the snow flake means the compressor is running" ....

 

Enquiring minds want to know.

[punmax]

What's a compressor lol.

[fbachman]

What's a compressor lol.

 

It's that thingy under the hood that makes the air cold in your AC...

[gave20]

Yes, it should automatically turn off when the outside temperature is ~40 degrees or colder. It runs all the time to keep the windows from steaming even in colder temps. Mine's garage kept so even on zero degree mornings it will run, but once the temperature sensor reads 35 degrees or so it will shut off.

[superjim]

It was around freezing a few mornings ago. Hit the "Auto" button, and the snow flake lights up as well, Temp set to about 73F. Interior was probably high 30s at that moment.

 

Am I correct to assume that the compressor is ALWAYS running when the snowflake is lit, or does the Auto Climate Control turn the compressor off as needed when cold?

 

I admit that in the cold I turn the snow flake button OFF with AUTO on, as I am trying to heat the car.

 

I understand why the compressor must work for defrost, but it seems bizarre to me that with all the gee-whiz gadgetry of the Auto Climate Control that it would always run the compressor, even in winter.

 

I asked my local GMC service shop, and they believe that a lit snow flake = Compressor Running. The manual wasn't terribly clear about all of this.

 

The service guy was honest in-so-far that he said "I'm not positive, but I think the snow flake means the compressor is running" ....

 

Enquiring minds want to know.

 

 

If I am not mistaken, (and I could be ) on the newer trucks, it not only knows the inside and outside temps, but also the humidity.

 

So, therefore, if you have it on AUTO, it will cycle the compressor on and off as needed to control humidity and thus the fogging up of your inside windows.

 

If you push the button and turn the snowflake OFF... as long as it is off, the compressor will not come on at all.... EVER.

 

Jim from Texas