AC compressor cycling in cold weather
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
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It's been 20F here the last few days, and even if I hop into the car (inside freezing) and pop on the heat, I notice that the compressor still cycles at stop lights, etc.
Normally I just turn AC OFF during the winter (cycle it every other week though just to keep seals lubed); I'm curious why the climate control cycles the compressor when cooling is NOT necessary?? Is it compensating for the heat of the air leaving the heater core??
Normally I just turn AC OFF during the winter (cycle it every other week though just to keep seals lubed); I'm curious why the climate control cycles the compressor when cooling is NOT necessary?? Is it compensating for the heat of the air leaving the heater core??
#2
Senior Moderator
the ac compressor cycles cause its suppose to. it comes on to help dry the air so your windows dont fog up . if you notice when you turn the defrost on the ac light comes on
#3
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I totally understand when the defroster setting is selected, but not just heat. As far as I know, the CC system does not have a humidistat. So, unless a honda engineer just thought it'd be neat to cycle the compressor when the heat is on just to reduce humidity in the car, I have no understanding of why it happens.
#5
Severin brings up a good point. Its been getting that cold here in NJ too and i always use the heat with AC OFF. My windows don't get fogged up. I never even have to use the defroster only when it rain, and even then the windows barly get foggy..
It just seems like a waste to always have the compressor cyling on and off when u don't even need it. Wastes gas and puts extra wear on the A/C components.
I do however cycle the compressor atleast once a week in the winter to keep the system A/C system parts lubricated...
i don't like this aspect of the CC system at all.
It just seems like a waste to always have the compressor cyling on and off when u don't even need it. Wastes gas and puts extra wear on the A/C components.
I do however cycle the compressor atleast once a week in the winter to keep the system A/C system parts lubricated...
i don't like this aspect of the CC system at all.
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#6
Senior Moderator
vtec11 it hasnt been cold enough with enough moisture to fog up i bet, wait till its winter (snowing) . if the ac compressor wouldnt last long doing that they never would have designed it to. it shouldnt do it unless you turn the ac on, turn defrost on, or have it on full auto.
#7
fsttyms1,
well i think in the teens is pretty cold enough. And i don't mind it using the compressor with the defrost on, but not with just the heater on. I don't think that makes much sense to have the humidity being sucked up by the TL heater. I mean, in the winter we WANT humidity with heat. That's why we use humidifiers in the winters and DEhumids in the summer. I don't see people running there dehumids in the winter at all..
well i think in the teens is pretty cold enough. And i don't mind it using the compressor with the defrost on, but not with just the heater on. I don't think that makes much sense to have the humidity being sucked up by the TL heater. I mean, in the winter we WANT humidity with heat. That's why we use humidifiers in the winters and DEhumids in the summer. I don't see people running there dehumids in the winter at all..
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#8
Burning Brakes
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The defrost feature turns on the compressor full blast to suck out the humidity. It also speeds up clearing your window of frost, fog, ice, etc. The CC is pretty decent compared to other cars, (my brother's I35 T's CC doesn't work as well. The compressor turns on and off when required (full auto). You can manually turn off the compressor by pushing the A/C button to display A/C off. But on a damp day, you will notice your windows fog up.
You don't have to worry about ruining the compressor during winter (I heard this is big no-no on domestic cars) since Honda encourages you to use the A/C to keep the seals in good shape.
My dad had gone thru so many domestics with leaky seals and valves and had to go thru an annual refill/ repair beacuse the A/C had not been used all winter long.
You don't have to worry about ruining the compressor during winter (I heard this is big no-no on domestic cars) since Honda encourages you to use the A/C to keep the seals in good shape.
My dad had gone thru so many domestics with leaky seals and valves and had to go thru an annual refill/ repair beacuse the A/C had not been used all winter long.
#9
Senior Moderator
Originally posted by vtec11
fsttyms1,
well i think in the teens is pretty cold enough. And i don't mind it using the compressor with the defrost on, but not with just the heater on. I don't think that makes much sense to have the humidity being sucked up by the TL heater. I mean, in the winter we WANT humidity with heat. That's why we use humidifiers in the winters and DEhumids in the summer. I don't see people running there dehumids in the winter at all..
fsttyms1,
well i think in the teens is pretty cold enough. And i don't mind it using the compressor with the defrost on, but not with just the heater on. I don't think that makes much sense to have the humidity being sucked up by the TL heater. I mean, in the winter we WANT humidity with heat. That's why we use humidifiers in the winters and DEhumids in the summer. I don't see people running there dehumids in the winter at all..
#10
i just have the one auto button since i have the navi. so it usually off. i click AUTO, then turn the AC off from the navi screen most of the time.. but even when its not snowing or raining dude, the AC is on like most of the time..
how do u use it fsttyms1.. FULL auto??
how do u use it fsttyms1.. FULL auto??
#11
Senior Moderator
my ac is only on if i turn the defrost on in the winter or want the car cooler in the summer
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