Switch in temp control

There is usually a Max(imum) cooling position on air conditioners. I suspect this is what you activated. Compressor runs, more or less, full time. If you run with it this way too long, your evaporator core might just ice up and you could lose cooling until it melts.

Actually, I have a separate "MAX" position. When in that position, the evaporator draws air from the passenger compartment that is already cooled and dried.

I was wondering if when the temp knob is in the full cool position it does something that would keep hot coolant from even coming into the passenger compartment. Is there a solenoid valve in the radiator hoses?

There is nothing in the manual about it.

Dont know for sure on your application. On mine, that switch puts the compressor on, almost, full time.. There ARE safety switches that will cause the compressor to disengage, but it doesnt cycle the same was as it does on the other setting.

Don't have the manual for your machine. Looked in the manual for a '94 Oldsmobile Cutlass/Buick Century. There are no switches associated with the temperature lever in these vehicles. I suspect that the detent you are feeling is the resistance of the temperature control door fully closing at the cold end of the lever's travel.

Ok, maybe. But I have to say that the temp control feels like nothing is attached to it at all. Like it's a VERY free-turning potentiometer... With an 'off' switch at full CCW.

Hmm, maybe it is!

Mike

Upon reflection, I began to suspect the same. Just a little opening or cloture of those divertor doors can make a big difference. Easier to comment if we were there, I guess.

Well, I didn't pull the thing out, but it appears there's nothing but WIRES attached to the module. One of these days it will bother me enough that I'll have to pop it out just to see.

Right now I have another issue with the car...

Now I'm guessing that you have one of those electronic automatic temperature controls in your machine instead of the sliding lever that manually positions the temperature door. Maybe it does have a potentiometer to set the temperature. The automatic control in my 2002 Oldsmobiles uses up and down push buttons, but the passenger side control is a round knob on the passenger door armrest.

Sure wish I had a service manual for that vintage vehicle. It's making me curious as to what they might be doing with a switch at the cold end of the temperature controller.

I take it from your other post that your butt is dragging the ground.

Well, yes...

And more on one side than the other. I still have 'spring' action but not very much.

What you have is the standard electronic control board for the HVAC system. Probably a relative to the ones used in the Malibu.

Something like this?

Yep, pretty close. I only have 2 buttons, not 4. And I have more functions on the rightmost knob. But even the shape of the knobs look the same.