Confusion About Climate Control

[trash]

OK, Iv'e read the manual, and I've read the articles here, and I'm a little confused.
On my climate control system, the A/C will not turn on unless I press the A/C button. For example, I will have the fan to auto, the mode to auto, and the temp set at +19C (cold!). If it's +27C out and hotter n heck inside the avalanche and I start it up, the A/C will not come on (even after 5 -10 minutes of waiting!)

Is this right? I would think it would turn on the A/C when needed, and turn it off when the truck is cooled off.

Thanks

Trash

 

[Chevylover]

No you are right. You have to turn on the A/C seperatly. Although I have been driving on a few occasions and look down and the A/C is on!! But it might have been my wife, she's an A/c freak.

 

[davidw55]

I've just noticed with mine that when I hit the button first thing after starting it up that it flashes and cuts back off. Anyone else have this problem? Maybe it's because I'm getting it before the computer and systems haven't cycled/tested yet.

 

[Chevylover]

The only one I've had flash is the interior button to recirculate the air. If you have your selector knob set to much to the defrost or heater side it will only draw air from the outside. That may be the reason for the A/C to flash also.

 

[davidw55]

No, I'm affraid that's not it. I pretty much leave both of them to Auto, so I'm not sure what it could be.

 

[JimmyP]

Hello all fellow Avalanche fans. I have a problem with the A/C as well.
The question arose the last hot day when I used the A/C. To start, my Avy has the standard climate controls. When I turn on the fan and choose either upper only, or upper and lower vents with the recirculate mode button chosen, the A/C compressor runs and cold air comes out (whether or not the A/C button light is on!). When I switch to outside air mode the A/C turns off and warm air comes out. (I know the A/C button is working because when the recirc button is in outside air mode and I hit it, the A/C comes on).
Is this normal? It seems that choosing recirculate mode automatically turns on the A/C, without hitting the A/C button, but only when the vent selector is in upper or upper and lower position.
I just want to know if anyone else has noticed this so I know if my Avy is having a problem.
Thanks.

 

[JimmyP]

Hello all fellow Avalanche fans. I have a problem with my A/C as well.
The question arose the last hot day when I used the A/C. To start, my Avy has the standard climate controls. When I turn on the fan and choose either upper only, or upper and lower vents with the recirculate mode button chosen, the A/C compressor runs and cold air comes out (whether or not the A/C button light is on!). When I switch to outside air mode the A/C turns off and warm air comes out. (I know the A/C button is working because when the recirc button is in outside air mode and I hit it, the A/C comes on).
Is this normal? It seems that choosing recirculate mode automatically turns on the A/C, without hitting the A/C button, but only when the vent selector is in upper or upper and lower position. I have tried this on different days where the temp is over 90 degrees.
I just want to know if anyone else has noticed this so I know if my Avy is having a problem.
Thanks.

 

[Rolando]

I have the same issue (non-issue). I turn on the A/C and wait 1 minute or two to get it to the temp I want, then I turn off the A/C button, but leave the fan on and it stays cool.

I say this is a non-issue, cause I like the fact that I could have the cool air without enabling the A/C. But, if the A/C is really still on, but I guess it is an issue.

 

[everett211]

You may have a problem with your temp sensor. The dealer has changed mine twice. I am now having problems with my heater, if the temp is 50 and I turn the heater up to 75 or 80, the heat comes out for about one min, then cold air. its going back to the dealer.

 

[TXAVy]

...It seems that choosing recirculate mode automatically turns on the A/C, without hitting the A/C button, but only when the vent selector is in upper or upper and lower position...

I noticed similar behavior with another GM vehicle with the AC light coming on with "recirculate" selected. I asked the dealer who told me that when in recirculate mode the HVAC system passes the air through the compressor to help remove moisture.

Seems to make sense as I've used it to help clear up the inside of the windows when they're fogged too. Even if you have the temp set to hot (because it's snowing outside), if you tap the A/C button the temp will not get noticably colder, but the fogged windows will clear a LOT faster as the dry air is blown across them.

 

[GTCHNG]

ive noticed this too. when i push recirculate i get ac even when its off. from my understanding those o fus with auto controls you can disable the ac by turning it off, otherwise you leave it on. the truck will only run the ac as needed, example with heater on in 32 degree weather with ac button pushed and on auto the ac wont run. basically the switch is to turn it off for climbing hills etc.