Topic: What is this A/C button doing there?

[Gentleman Jack]

Hey all,

Found this GXP on EBAY.  As I was flipping thru the pics, I saw this AC button on the dash.  Did anybody else have the AC like this?  Is this aftermarket?  It doesn't even look centered.



Gentleman Jack

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pontiac-Solstice-Convertible-2007-Pontiac-Solstice-GXP-Convertible-1846-miles_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1c0e0a0b83QQitemZ120494623619QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks

[Uranium-238]

Looks like he did what I've been thinking about doing: Installing a switch so you can have the A/C off for real, no coming back on in defrost, etc. My dad does it to all of his vehicles.

If I attempt something like that it will definitely be a cleaner install, with a more stock-looking switch.

[diamoney]

Hey all,

Found this GXP on EBAY.  As I was flipping thru the pics, I saw this AC button on the dash.  Did anybody else have the AC like this?  Is this aftermarket?  It doesn't even look centered.



Gentleman Jack

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pontiac-Solstice-Convertible-2007-Pontiac-Solstice-GXP-Convertible-1846-miles_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1c0e0a0b83QQitemZ120494623619QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks

Under features and optons it says: Passenger Air bag on/off switch.  I'm guessing that's it.

Which is unfortunate, because I wanted to believe that it was the ejection seat button for the double-naught spys out there! -- That or the get-rid-of-the-awful-front-license-plate actuator.

It is off-center, and seems to be illuminated blue, so maybe it has a police function?!?

Anyone else?

[Gentleman Jack]

larger image.  Shows AC on button.  Best guess aftermarket AC?  There is no LED on temp knob.  Without running out to the garage, I believe that is the AC indicator light?

[DeepBlueGXP]

I agree with GJ, he must have added AC, I def wouldn't buy this car, why go through all the work of getting AC installed and not replace the temp dial with the correct one. Imagine what else in the AC install was done under par 

[hammy221]

Looks like he did what I've been thinking about doing: Installing a switch so you can have the A/C off for real, no coming back on in defrost, etc. My dad does it to all of his vehicles.

If I attempt something like that it will definitely be a cleaner install, with a more stock-looking switch.

why would you wanna disable it? ever notice cheap foreign cars mostly older ones have it like this and when you just have the heat on the windshield it still fogs up until you put the ac on?? it is because the ac kicks on and off on defrost to pull the  moisture out of the air to dry the fog off the windshield better especially on cool rainy days. to me its a no brainer leave it like it is meant to be its not like you lose 20 hp or any for that matter cause when you put it down the car kicks it off to give the wheels everything. also its not like it really hurts your MPG you might see like 1 MPG change on town and as far as highway well top up over 60 with ac on is better then top down or windows down.

[Brazen17]

I definately get better gas mileage with the top up and A/C on than with the top down and A/C off.

[TomatoSoup]

I definately get better gas mileage with the top up and A/C on than with the top down and A/C off.

Interesting - I remember reading (somewhere) that the drag with the top up was GREATER than the drag with top down (never mind whether the A/C's on or off).

[snaponbob]

Mine ALWAYS gets better mileage with the roof up.

[Uranium-238]

why would you wanna disable it? ever notice cheap foreign cars mostly older ones have it like this and when you just have the heat on the windshield it still fogs up until you put the ac on?? it is because the ac kicks on and off on defrost to pull the  moisture out of the air to dry the fog off the windshield better especially on cool rainy days. to me its a no brainer leave it like it is meant to be its not like you lose 20 hp or any for that matter cause when you put it down the car kicks it off to give the wheels everything. also its not like it really hurts your MPG you might see like 1 MPG change on town and as far as highway well top up over 60 with ac on is better then top down or windows down.

Geeze, dude, chill. In the winter, I keep the car pretty cold when driving around. I like having air moving though, as otherwise the car gets stuffy. So, since I don't want a draft blowing on my feet or in my face, defrost it is. And it's useless to have the A/C on under those circumstances. The car's already cold and dry, why do I wan't it dryer?

[hammy221]

Geeze, dude, chill. In the winter, I keep the car pretty cold when driving around. I like having air moving though, as otherwise the car gets stuffy. So, since I don't want a draft blowing on my feet or in my face, defrost it is. And it's useless to have the A/C on under those circumstances. The car's already cold and dry, why do I wan't it dryer?

i guess the point i was making and i guess i (ranted lol not intending too) is that i would never buy a car that that was done to and all your doing is taking the value down with really a useless mod in my opinion. it really doesn't get colder in the car with it cause all it does is makes the condenser just cold enough to capture moisture out of the air. do what you will its just people think its so useless until they don't have it.

[DaveOC]

Gosh you guys can get carried away sometimes.  Chances are, the car was mistakenly ordered without air conditioning, and the dealer added an after-market air conditioner to the car.  That extra button is the on-off switch. 

[hammy221]

ya we did get off subject lol ill but i didn't do it lol

[2kwk4u]

U-238, it's my understanding that you want the compressor to cycle periodically to keep the seals lubricated (oil circulates through the system along with the freon).  That way you don't dry out the seals, rot them, and lose all of your freon over the winter (not to mention the repairs necessary to get it back up and running properly again).

Oh, and yeah GJ, that appears to be a cobbled-together aftermarket solution.  I would have guessed it to be a factory Z0K car, but it has leather seats.  Did the GXP Z0K cars still have cloth seats and manual windows like the N/A Z0K "club sport" models?

[Sly Bob]

U-238, it's my understanding that you want the compressor to cycle periodically to keep the seals lubricated (oil circulates through the system along with the freon).  That way you don't dry out the seals, rot them, and lose all of your freon over the winter...

That's true. An air conditioning friend of mine likes to say when it comes systems in cars, "Use it or lose it".

[Critterman]

Just a couple of things:

Phil - with the car in defrost mode like you run it, the A/C is on, the light isn't lit, but the comprossor is cycleling as needed.  All modern cars do this and have for many years

Scott:  Car also has electric windows and door locks.  ZKO's are basically stripped without most options.