A/C Switch
New User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 24
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It seems you too are the recipient of one of Ford's better ideas. In my '93 the AC runs in mix & defrost also. This is 'NORMAL?' Guess Ford thought the AC seals needed lubed in the wintertime. They used to have a separate button for the AC & you could run it whenever & direct the air as you saw fit.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 45
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From: The Iron Range of Minneso
I believe most if not all cars/trucks with factory air will run the a/c when in defrost or mix mode. My truck operates this way as does my van whether the a/c button is pressed or not. It is to help remove humidity in your interior and to help keep the windows from fogging up.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 394
Likes: 13
From: 13th Colony
brrossi is right, most all modern cars run the a/c when the defroster is on. Not sure when they started that. My 88 bronco II had a separate button for the a/c, so you could decide yourself, but my 90 f150 does not. The a/c comes on with the defroster. My 2000 crown vic is the same. Only thing is that if I want cool air on my feet, I have to turn on the defroster/floor option. 
I can not get cool air on face and feet at the same time.
I can not get cool air on face and feet at the same time.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 432
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From: Central VA
Originally Posted by broncobasher
brrossi is right, most all modern cars run the a/c when the defroster is on. Not sure when they started that. My 88 bronco II had a separate button for the a/c, so you could decide yourself, but my 90 f150 does not. The a/c comes on with the defroster. My 2000 crown vic is the same. Only thing is that if I want cool air on my feet, I have to turn on the defroster/floor option. I can not get cool air on face and feet at the same time.
I can not get cool air on face and feet at the same time.My friend's 88 F-250 has a separate A/C switch, my 91 Mustang GT doesn't. So if your 90 F-150 doesn't either, then maybe they changed in 1989.
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Western PA
When how does the heater work??? is there another switch that says when TEMP is on red turn compressor off???
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 394
Likes: 13
From: 13th Colony
Nope, if you have the defroster on, the a/c is on. Regardless of whether the lever is on cool or heat. If your vehicle is like mine, turn the defroster on with the lever on hot and then check to see if the compressor is running. It doesn't seem to make a lot of sense to turn both the a/c and heater on at the same time, but the heater will way overpower the a/c. The purpose is to dehumidify the air for the defroster to work quicker.
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