question about my vents/air and AC question

masterpickle · 06-21-2007, 02:25 AM

So even when I turn the air/AC all the way off in my 2002 WRX air still comes out of all the vents. So I know when you have the AC on in a car it uses power making your car slower, so basically I want to know if this is normal and also if its useing some of my power making my car slower.

One more thing: When I turn my AC on, it does even come close to cooling things down more than the ambient temperature. I want to know if I need a whole new condensor or do I need something more expensive like a new condensor or what?

Thanks a lot for you help.

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Mulder · 06-21-2007, 07:20 AM

On most cars, not just your Subaru, air will come through the vents even with the fan turned off. This is because as long as the lever is in the "fresh air" position the intake is still open to outside air, so it will flow into the car when moving.
The AC has nothing to do with this, the compressor only runs when the AC button is pressed and the fan is turned on (or when the mode dial is in defrost and the fan is on). At all other times the compressor is not engaged and does not use any power from the engine.
If your AC is not cooling properly it needs to be checked out by a shop with the right equipment. There are several things that can be wrong with it, and we can't tell you here which one it is.

rkramer · 06-21-2007, 09:30 AM

and yes, if your ac is running as described above by mulder, it takes A SMALL amount of power. a couple (2-3 max) HP. and it turns itself off at WOT. (I think it is actually more like 80% throttle even)

masterpickle · 06-21-2007, 03:22 PM

thanks a lot guys that was really helpfull. I'll get my car checked out by an AC shop.

06-21-2007, 02:25 AM	#1
masterpickle Scooby Specialist Member#: 147536 Join Date: Apr 2007 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Veneta, Oregon Vehicle: 1996 Impreza Green	question about my vents/air and AC question So even when I turn the air/AC all the way off in my 2002 WRX air still comes out of all the vents. So I know when you have the AC on in a car it uses power making your car slower, so basically I want to know if this is normal and also if its useing some of my power making my car slower. One more thing: When I turn my AC on, it does even come close to cooling things down more than the ambient temperature. I want to know if I need a whole new condensor or do I need something more expensive like a new condensor or what? Thanks a lot for you help. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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06-21-2007, 07:20 AM	#2
Mulder Trust no one Moderator Member#: 11170 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 02 WRX 05 GTO/11 Sonata(!)	On most cars, not just your Subaru, air will come through the vents even with the fan turned off. This is because as long as the lever is in the "fresh air" position the intake is still open to outside air, so it will flow into the car when moving. The AC has nothing to do with this, the compressor only runs when the AC button is pressed and the fan is turned on (or when the mode dial is in defrost and the fan is on). At all other times the compressor is not engaged and does not use any power from the engine. If your AC is not cooling properly it needs to be checked out by a shop with the right equipment. There are several things that can be wrong with it, and we can't tell you here which one it is.

06-21-2007, 09:30 AM	#3
rkramer Scooby Guru Member#: 118209 Join Date: Jun 2006 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: North Dakota Vehicle: 2002 WRX Sedan	and yes, if your ac is running as described above by mulder, it takes A SMALL amount of power. a couple (2-3 max) HP. and it turns itself off at WOT. (I think it is actually more like 80% throttle even)

06-21-2007, 03:22 PM	#4
masterpickle Scooby Specialist Member#: 147536 Join Date: Apr 2007 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Veneta, Oregon Vehicle: 1996 Impreza Green	thanks a lot guys that was really helpfull. I'll get my car checked out by an AC shop.