Why does my A/C comes on in windshield mode and how do I turn it off?

[boomersan]

I'm sorry if this has been posted before. I did a cursery look for similar post but could not find.

I have a 05 Double Cab.

The manual page 299 states

"4. Floor/Windshield - Air flows mainly from the floor vents and windshield vents. Turning the air flow selector to the floor/windshield position turns on the defogging function with the purpose of clearingthe front view. This position allows the air intake to select FRESH automatically. This is to clean up the front view more quickly. If you want to return the setting to RECIRCULATE mode, press the air in take selector button once again. It is recommended that you close the lowervent. For details about this, see "Instrument panel and rear vents" in this Section.

Vehicles with "A/C" button- Press the "A/C" button for dehumidified heating or cooling. This setting clears the front view more quickly."

Page. 300
"5. Wincshield - .... Vehicles with "A/C" button- Press the "A/C" button for dehumidified heating or cooling. This setting clears the front view more quickly." ...


"A/C" Button (on some models)
To turn onthe airc conditioning, press the "AC" button. The "A/C" button indicator will come on. To turn the air condtioning off, press the button again. If the "A/C" button indicator flashes, there is a problem in the air conditioning system and the air conditioning automatically shuts off. If this happens, take your vehicle to a Toyota dealer for service.


Maybe I'm confused but the A/C portion of the manual is not accurate. If Floor/windshield or winshield air flow selector is selected in my vehicle the A/C turns on but the light on the A/C button remains off. I can smell the air conditioned air and hear the click of the relay (or clutch or whatever the click is) when the a/c comes on and off. Even if this light is off and when the above selection was made I will get condensation drainage from under the truck after parking it, another indication that the A/C was on.

I can push the A/C switch and get the A/C light to turn on. Click it again and the light will turn off BUT the A/C continues to run as long as I have the selector on the floor/windshield or windshield.

I know that A/C will help take away the moisture from the air and expedite the defrosting of windshield but I don't want to drive around with the A/C on but do want to drive around with some warm fresh air flowing to the windshield and my feet. How do I achieve that without selling this truck and getting a different vehicle that doesn't have this annoying automatic function?

I had a 2000 Tundra before and I do not recall it having this automatic but annoying (at least to me) function.

Any help is appreciated. Regards. Boomer

[KLINDSEY]

Originally Posted by boomersan

I'm sorry if this has been posted before. I did a cursery look for similar post but could not find.

I have a 05 Double Cab.

The manual page 299 states

"4. Floor/Windshield - Air flows mainly from the floor vents and windshield vents. Turning the air flow selector to the floor/windshield position turns on the defogging function with the purpose of clearingthe front view. This position allows the air intake to select FRESH automatically. This is to clean up the front view more quickly. If you want to return the setting to RECIRCULATE mode, press the air in take selector button once again. It is recommended that you close the lowervent. For details about this, see "Instrument panel and rear vents" in this Section.

Vehicles with "A/C" button- Press the "A/C" button for dehumidified heating or cooling. This setting clears the front view more quickly."

Page. 300
"5. Wincshield - .... Vehicles with "A/C" button- Press the "A/C" button for dehumidified heating or cooling. This setting clears the front view more quickly." ...


"A/C" Button (on some models)
To turn onthe airc conditioning, press the "AC" button. The "A/C" button indicator will come on. To turn the air condtioning off, press the button again. If the "A/C" button indicator flashes, there is a problem in the air conditioning system and the air conditioning automatically shuts off. If this happens, take your vehicle to a Toyota dealer for service.


Maybe I'm confused but the A/C portion of the manual is not accurate. If Floor/windshield or winshield air flow selector is selected in my vehicle the A/C turns on but the light on the A/C button remains off. I can smell the air conditioned air and hear the click of the relay (or clutch or whatever the click is) when the a/c comes on and off. Even if this light is off and when the above selection was made I will get condensation drainage from under the truck after parking it, another indication that the A/C was on.

I can push the A/C switch and get the A/C light to turn on. Click it again and the light will turn off BUT the A/C continues to run as long as I have the selector on the floor/windshield or windshield.

I know that A/C will help take away the moisture from the air and expedite the defrosting of windshield but I don't want to drive around with the A/C on but do want to drive around with some warm fresh air flowing to the windshield and my feet. How do I achieve that without selling this truck and getting a different vehicle that doesn't have this annoying automatic function?

I had a 2000 Tundra before and I do not recall it having this automatic but annoying (at least to me) function.

Any help is appreciated. Regards. Boomer

Boomer, I have a 2000 Tundra and it has this same function, in our climate it is not a big issue but I have found by regulating the temp control knob over half way towards the hot postion the AC will not run, warmer air takes over.
But there is a mod to stop this if it really bothers you check the garage, or PM KLS (ken) has done this mod and he likes it.
Kevin

[chrispitude]

Actually I like the idea of running the A/C to help keep the windshield clear. Last winter, I was driving around in the winter in a snowstorm and when I would get in and out of the truck, I would bring a fair amount of snow into the cabin from my feet and jacket. When running just the floor/vent heat, I found that the hot air evaporated the moisture, and caused the air to get hot, humid and sticky. The windshield and side mirrors fogged up to the point where it was not safe to drive. Once I turned it to defrost and the A/C kicked in, the cabin humiditity and the windshield cleared up surprisingly quickly.

My BMW does this too.

- Chris

[boomersan]

Thanks. I'll try to find the mod and get it done. I didn't realize the older Tundras did it too. I realized the benefit of having A/C to help but in most cases I don't need it's help. Just some constant fresh airflow and your windshield will remain fog/frost free all day.

I really just want the ability to turn it off when I don't desire it and turn the A/C on when I desire it. It's annoying and wasteful to drive around with a/c on when all I want to do is to drive around with some fresh air going through my windshield. Thanks for the inputs thus far. Boomer

[greener]

Originally Posted by chrispitude

Actually I like the idea of running the A/C to help keep the windshield clear.
- Chris

I've noticed that eventually you get condensation on the outside of your winshield. This is the only reason I don't really like the AC being on all the time in the defrost mode. When I need the defroster on, it seems I end up turning it on and off repeatedly.

There is a mod for this???

[boomersan]

Originally Posted by greener

I've noticed that eventually you get condensation on the outside of your winshield. This is the only reason I don't really like the AC being on all the time in the defrost mode. When I need the defroster on, it seems I end up turning it on and off repeatedly.

There is a mod for this???

I end up turning it on and off repeatedly as well. The A/C air smell annoys me as well because I have allegy nose and it's really sensative to that smell.

[bugmenot]

I always get a kick out of these posts. I've seen this same "issue" for many models of vehicle. Those of us in a cold climate need to have the A/C/defrost function that way. So while it's a nuisance to you it's a necessity to us.

[Genthar]

I believe there was a mod for this in the garage: How To: prevent the air conditioner from coming on automatically when defrosting

You need to be a subscriber however to access the garage.

[paa]

It's as simple as pulling three knobs off and removing 5 screws (three screws behind the knobs and two in the top of the AC vents), then you unplug one wire from the micro-switch operated by the mode selector switch (the connector on the end of the wire is white and you only have to disconnect one wire). There are pictures, but as Genthar said you have to be a subscriber to see them. It is absolutely stupid to have the AC come on when in either of the defrost positions. I had to run the wipers to remove the condensation from the outside of the windshield when in either position because the AC came on. I didn't disconnect it immediately after getting my DC but waited until I installed the backup camera for the nav. It was a frustratingingly long wait.
BTW my son and his wife gave me my 2005 DC Limited loaded with nav and every other option they could add until hitting the Toyota option limit. They actually had to have the floor mats added at the dealer to stay under the option limit.

Paul

[basura]

removed the console - no wires behind mode switch - just 2 large connectors - many wires - any idea which is for the A/C on defrost?

I'll search the wiring diagrams - but the mod may not be so easy on the '05,
and the defrost on is a pain

thanks

[geojim]

Originally Posted by boomersan

Thanks. I'll try to find the mod and get it done. I didn't realize the older Tundras did it too. I realized the benefit of having A/C to help but in most cases I don't need it's help. Just some constant fresh airflow and your windshield will remain fog/frost free all day.

I really just want the ability to turn it off when I don't desire it and turn the A/C on when I desire it. It's annoying and wasteful to drive around with a/c on when all I want to do is to drive around with some fresh air going through my windshield. Thanks for the inputs thus far. Boomer

I have to agree. It can be a waste, and I would rather have the choice. On my wife's Honda's, the a/c would kick in on defrost mode as well, but you had the option of deactivating it by just pressing the a/c button. The Toyota system is ok in concept, but typically you would not the a/c running continuously while you just trying to keep the windshiled clear, and or ice free (despite the mid 70's right now, in just a couple of months this is something we in north will be dealing with !)
I think I may unplug the switch as on the selector as well. That way when I really do need de-humidifying, then I can just press the a/c button, and better, I will be reminded by the green indicator that the a/c IS activated.

[Chevloray]

Toyota ain't the only ones to link the A/C and the defroster function. Seems like everything I own does just that (okay....Celica, Lexus and Tundra). But, others that I have owned, Chrysler and GM, also had that feature. The cooled air, which is dehumidified, is supposed to help clear the windshield. But, if the humidity is high and the outside air is warm, the cooled air will frequently fog up the outside of the windshield. In that case, turning the temp to a warmer setting will help clear it.

The other reason is to keep the seals conditioned. NOT using the A/C is not supposed to be good for the life of the compressor. So, linking the two features together is supposed to address that.

[mike.elmes]

I was fairly annoyed when I found out that the airconditioner was tied into the window defrost as I like to have some air blowing onto the windshied rather than blowing in my face. I pulled my A/C fuse under the hood last winter and found no problems clearing the windshield of frost.I also enjoy MORE HP from the engine(less parasitic hp losses with air cond. off), more heat, and better gas mileage.I found it to be un nessesary and wasteful.

Originally Posted by bugmenot

I always get a kick out of these posts. I've seen this same "issue" for many models of vehicle. Those of us in a cold climate need to have the A/C/defrost function that way. So while it's a nuisance to you it's a necessity to us.

[Sanosuke]

I don't mind having my A/C running when I clear my ice-encrusted windshields on those incredibly cold mornings (-30C and below) down here in High River, AB Canada. At least I can feel a bit better knowing that my truck heats up pretty quick when I drive it! I don't idle it too long either.

Sanosuke!

[MrBeanley]

There is also a how-to for disabling the A/C defrosters on the '04 Tundra DC.

Defroster Mod for Double Cab