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Cabin Fan W/O AC?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by rsforkner, Apr 16, 2008.

  1. rsforkner

    rsforkner Member

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    Outside the temp is in the low 50s F. I wanted to run the fan on fresh air without running the AC compressor. (Was parked in the sun so it was warm inside) Can't seem to find a way. I turn everything off and turn the fan on low or medium. The AC compressor starts right up. Since the Auto temp is set at 75 the thing goes into heat mode.

    Turn off everything again, including Auto Mode, and try again. On goes the compressor.

    In town it is VERY noisy with the windows down. Any way to run the cabin fan without the AC on?

    Thanks,
    Bob
     
    #1 rsforkner, Apr 16, 2008
  2. alanh

    alanh Active Member

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    On the climate screen, turn the temperature all the way down, and touch the "A/C" button so it's turned off.
     
    #2 alanh, Apr 16, 2008
  3. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    If the "auto" feature is on you'll need to manually select a fan speed as well to disable "auto".
     
    #3 efusco, Apr 16, 2008
  4. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    If it's 50 out, the A/C is unlikely to run in auto mode. Just set the temperature where you want it. Otherwise turn off the A/C compressor and set the temperature down, which will cause the fan to run. The lower the temp setting, the faster the fan. Or you can take complete manual control and do as Evan suggests: turn off the A/C compressor, turn off Auto, and set the fan speed.

    Tom
     
    #4 qbee42, Apr 16, 2008
  5. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    even with the AC compressor turned off if the auto is not disabled it will adjust the fan speed in odd ways...I find it's easier to just get into the habit of doing the same thing every time---temp to MIN, AC to off, Manually set a fan speed to disable auto.
     
    #5 efusco, Apr 16, 2008
  6. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Good point, Evan. The fan does seem a bit possessed in Auto mode.

    Tom
     
    #6 qbee42, Apr 16, 2008
  7. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    The way I do it is:

    Turn Auto AC off on the steering wheel

    Push the Climate button on the MFD bezel

    Select the Fan Speed from the soft keys on the screen

    The AC soft key will show a green bar when you select the Fan Speed (turns itself on) Touch the AC soft key to turn it off.

    You can now use the Temp keys on the steering wheel if you want to adjust the temp without the AC coming back on, but if you use the Auto AC button, the AC will come back on and you have to repeat the steps above to turn it off again.
     
    #7 dogfriend, Apr 16, 2008
  8. rsforkner

    rsforkner Member

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    Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. It appears the AC system is a bit of a "free spirit".

    My first step was to go to the Climate screen and turn Auto Off. Then turn AC Off. Then select a fan speed, medium for example. As soon as I hit the fan speed button the AC button comes back on. I'll try setting the temp to minimum but something in my head says that isn't exactly what I want.

    Bottom line is I just want fresh air at a medium fan speed with no cooling or heating. It was easy in my Camry.

    Still learning... I am keeping a list of "Things I've Learned". Maybe I'll put it together and post the list in one of these forums so that someone else can benefit.

    As I read somewhere else in these forums: Repeat after me, "My car is smarter that I am." Well, maybe most of the time.

    Bob
     
    #8 rsforkner, Apr 16, 2008
  9. ny biker

    ny biker Member

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    Don't listen to the voice in your head. Turn off AUTO and A/C, set temp to the lowest setting, and choose your fan speed. That gives you fresh air from the outside. I do it all the time.
     
    #9 ny biker, Apr 16, 2008
  10. Bohous

    Bohous New Member

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    This thread is a great example of one of my biggest complaints about this car. I really dislike climate and radio being tied into MFD. Honestly, jumping through all these hoops to simply run a fan, sans AC, is ridiculous. I'll take my old analog buttons and sliders any day, thank you. Same for audio controls.
     
    #10 Bohous, Apr 16, 2008
  11. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    They were designed to be run from the steering wheel buttons. The MFD is more of a backup system for fine tuning, or allowing a passenger to play. I never touch my MFD for audio or climate.

    Tom
     
    #11 qbee42, Apr 16, 2008
  12. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    It's somewhat confusing trying to figure out how people get confused in the first place, but the solution shouldn't be.

    With A/C pressed off, select fan speed, then drop the temp to "MAX COLD". That gives outside air only.

    Bumping the temp up one push (to 65), returns you to a mix of outside air that passes through the heater core.

    .
     
    #12 john1701a, Apr 16, 2008
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