Well now that the hot weather is here, I think I may have found a problem with my a/c. I'm not even sure if this is a real problem or not. Anyways..I was driving around today with the windows down cause I dont like using the a/c too much. I still had the vents on, but the air coming out of the vents was cold. This is with the a/c turned off. When I pushed the a/c button on the temp of the air coming out didn't change and the idle didn't change either. (My car's idle reacts to EVERYTHING) So..I dont know if this has happened to anyone before? Or if something like this can even happen? Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks

 

If you had your defroster button pushed in and the fan on then the A/C compressor was already running.

 

Check the defrost thing, but even then I don't *think* it's supposed to chill the air too much. Hopefully it isn't the clutch on the compressor frozen so it's engaged all the time. I can't remember but take a look at it and see if it disengages when you turn the car off - that way you can tell if the prob is mechanical (clutch frozen on) or electrical (something turns it on when car is on).

 

First off, open the hood and check the compressor while the car is running. It's the device that the thick black hose (Not a coolant hose! The compressor is underneath the upper coolant hose though, just about) attaches to in the front of the engine (near the radiator) on the passenger side. It has a drive belt on it so I'm sure you'll notice it right away.

Now, when you are sure the AC is turned off, check the compressor while the car is running. The clutch is in the center of the pulley wheel and turns only when the AC is running. So, if you don't see a non-turning clutch-like thing in the middle of the pulley, then it's probably turning and thus the AC is going.

You'll also note a wire attaching to the compressor. If you unplug that the clutch should disengage no matter what. You might want to shut the car off first just in case. It's in a pretty dangerous area. If the clutch disengages when it's unplugged, then it's electrical. There is a relay for it in your relay boxes (Marked 'Air Cond' or something) so you could start with that (Unplug it and see what happens, etc. They can get stuck too - so it might need replaceing).

Hope that helps.