Hey guys,

I have a 96 Nissan Maxima equipped with the digital a/c heater control unit. I have experience with many other cars with digital units, and I've noticed that this is the only unit with a peculiar design; the recirculate function does not stay on. Maybe that isn't specific enough, what I mean is every time I start the car, I have to hit the recirculate button for the function to come on (I realize how nit picky this sounds, but bear with me). Like I said before, I have had experience with many other cars that have digital a/c control units, and this is the only car I've ever driven that doesn't leave the recirculate function on until commanded to be turned off, or turns off once a certain temperature command is breached. Is this the way the system was designed? Or is this some type of software defect? I've searched all over the site for answers and haven't come up with anything, so I figured it was time to post. Any meaningful input and/or advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

If I remember correctly, that's normal. My 97 also had a digital a/c unit.

 

Absolutely normal.

 

You need positive air flow through the vehicle, it's normal for the system to default to fresh air intake.