Scott Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 (edited) I have a question about the auto setting on climate control and air conditioning. When you turn the temp down far enough for the air conditioner to kick on and the AC button is not on, does the AC button automatically light up? Mine doesn't, and I don't think the air is kicking on either. Can someone please check how this works and let me know? Thanks! Edited June 5, 2019 by Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, Scott said: I have a question about the auto setting on climate control and air conditioning. When you turn the temp down far enough for the air conditioner to kick on and the AC button is not on, does the AC button automatically light up? Mine doesn't, and I don't think the air is kicking on either. Can someone please check how this works and let me know? Thanks! Hi Scott. Sorry if this is more information than you are looking for, but I'm trying to cover all the bases, so here goes. If the ACC system is not already set to "AUTO" or "AC", just turning the temperature setting down will not turn on the AC cooling system or illuminate the "AC" button (or "AUTO"). In other words, just turning the temp setting to it's lowest will not turn on the "AC" or illuminate the "AC" button. So if not on "AUTO" or "AC", you will essentially only be able to get air that is approximately outside air temperature or warmer. Not saying you are doing that or it necessarily applies to your question, just trying to cover all the bases here. On my car (2018 MKZ), if I press the "AUTO" button, the "AC" button automatically illuminates, no matter the temperature setting. To my knowledge, the "AC" button should always be illuminated when the system is set to "AUTO". This pertains to when the "AUTO" button has been pressed and the "AUTO" light is illuminated. If I turn the "AUTO" setting off, the "AC" button will stay illuminated, unless I press "AC" to turn it off. The "AC" button being illuminated does not necessarily mean the AC compressor is "on", just that it is enabled and may be turned on if needed to attain the chosen "AUTO" settings/programming. And while in "AUTO", if I press one or more of the 3 directional buttons to manually direct the airflow to the windshield, dash or floor registers, it turns off "AUTO" control, but the "AC " button will still stay on until I press it. Same if I change the air temperature. Performing any of those changes while in "AUTO" will take the system out of "AUTO", but leave it in "AC", until the "AC" button is pressed. Those are all the actions of a correctly operating ACC system. Also, don't think of "AC" to only mean cool/cold air. "A/C" doesn't necessarily mean the system is cooling the air, it means the system is using the condenser/compressor to dehumidify the air, if necessary. Even when heating the cabin temperature. We don't really have enough information to ascertain whether your system is working correctly, but hope this information helps. If your system does not seem to be working correctly, take it in for Warranty service. Keep us updated and good luck. Edited June 5, 2019 by bbf2530 Rearranged order of information in reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusionff Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 If the AC is not lit (on), lowering the temperature will not turn the ac on. I just tried it. Pressing the AC or AUTO button will turn it on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeBrown Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 In my 2014 I activate the AC and Auto settings. I then set the temperature I want to maintain and forget about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 19 minutes ago, JoeBrown said: In my 2014 I activate the AC and Auto settings. I then set the temperature I want to maintain and forget about it. Hi Joe. Pressing "AUTO" automatically enables the AC and illuminates the "AC" button, if you feel like eliminating one button push in your life. ? Good luck. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 2 hours ago, fusionff said: If the AC is not lit (on), lowering the temperature will not turn the ac on. I just tried it. Pressing the AC or AUTO button will turn it on. That's how I get the system to "vent" outside, non-conditioned air if the ambient temp is cool enough to benefit from without running A/C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, drolds1 said: That's how I get the system to "vent" outside, non-conditioned air if the ambient temp is cool enough to benefit from without running A/C. Hi guys. Same here. When I only want and need outside air vented in, simply set "AUTO" and "AC" to off and set the temperature to "LOW" on a warm day, or whatever temperature is comfortable on cooler days. Not having it set to "AUTO" and/or "AC" saves gas and improves MPG. Of course, there are those hot days when that is not possible, so on goes "AUTO". ? Edited June 5, 2019 by bbf2530 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R2D2 Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 (edited) Sorry but I cannot imagine not having the AC on 365 days a year, but then again we live in FL and find that we need it. ? Edited June 6, 2019 by R2D2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted June 6, 2019 Author Share Posted June 6, 2019 OK, so when I press auto, the AC light does not come on. I have tried shutting the system off and then press auto, and the AC light still does not come on. From the responses here, it sounds like I have an issue. I will probably try a master reset to see if that might fix it, but it sounds like I will have to make another trip to the dealer. ☹️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 (edited) 10 hours ago, R2D2 said: Sorry but I cannot imagine not having the AC on 365 days a year, but then again we live in FL and find that we need it. ? Hi R2D2. Living in NJ, using "AUTO" or "AC" is not usually necessary to keep a comfortable temperature in the fall, winter and spring, when the ambient air temperature is low enough to use the ventilation (non-AUTO/AC) feature alone, or the windows can be open for fresh air, at non-highway speeds. And it gives the added benefit of better MPG's and fuel cost savings. However, trust me, I use AUTO on hot summer days. ? ? Edited June 6, 2019 by bbf2530 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 35 minutes ago, Scott said: OK, so when I press auto, the AC light does not come on. I have tried shutting the system off and then press auto, and the AC light still does not come on. From the responses here, it sounds like I have an issue. I will probably try a master reset to see if that might fix it, but it sounds like I will have to make another trip to the dealer. ☹️ HI Scott. Unfortunately yes, it seems there is an issue. Out of curiosity, what happens if you press "AUTO and then "AC"? Does it come on and cool the car if you set the temp to the minimum? How about if you just press "AC" without using "AUTO"? Does it cool the car? If you determine you have an issue, I would take out the Owners Manual, get acquainted with the operation of the system and mark the pages. In this way, if the Service Department mistakenly tells you things are working correctly, you can point out in the Owners Manual that it is not. You can also ask to be shown how the system is operating in another MKZ on the lot. This may save you time and extra trips to get it fixed. Keep us updated and good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted June 6, 2019 Author Share Posted June 6, 2019 OK, so I was trying a few more things this morning. I turned auto off and then shut it off entirely. Then, I started it back up and pressed auto. Turned the temp down, and the AC light came on by itself. I am not sure what this issue was, but for the moment, it seems to be working as expected. My wife drove it a couple of days this week and was messing with the defrost and who knows what else. Thanks for all the suggestions! Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris109 Posted June 12, 2019 Share Posted June 12, 2019 On 6/6/2019 at 6:12 PM, Scott said: OK, so I was trying a few more things this morning. I turned auto off and then shut it off entirely. Then, I started it back up and pressed auto. Turned the temp down, and the AC light came on by itself. I am not sure what this issue was, but for the moment, it seems to be working as expected. My wife drove it a couple of days this week and was messing with the defrost and who knows what else. Thanks for all the suggestions! Scott That's it. Blame the woman. Guys get blamed for the world's woes as it is so it's about time they take the hit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris109 Posted June 12, 2019 Share Posted June 12, 2019 (edited) I just checked my '17. Seems whatever I left it on when I shut the car off, is what comes on when I start it back up. If on AUTO, it stays on AUTO upon restart. Same with AC. If both are on when I shut off, they are both on when I get back in. And AUTO is disengaged also just by turning down the fan. I just play it by ear anyway. Some of us don't live on a canal, in a gated community, surrounded by armed guards and guard dogs, and only head into town with the AC on when they run low on umbrellas for their alcoholic beverages. Oh, hi, R2D2. Edited June 12, 2019 by Chris109 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted June 15, 2019 Author Share Posted June 15, 2019 One more dumb question, when the temp is turned up to a point where the AC does not need to run, should the AC light stay on or turn off? Mine stays on. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted June 16, 2019 Share Posted June 16, 2019 10 hours ago, Scott said: One more dumb question, when the temp is turned up to a point where the AC does not need to run, should the AC light stay on or turn off? Mine stays on. Thanks! Hi Scott. As mentioned in posts above, the AC light will stay on until you press it to turn it off, or turn the climate control off completely. This is also all explained in our Owners Manual. Contrary to what people think of with home AC, automotive "AC" is not only cooling. The "AC" is used to dehumidify the air when necessary, at any temperature. That includes when the HVAC system is calling for heat or cooling. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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