After a search I could not find anything on this problem but I hope to find the awnser here anyway.

As I was experiencing cold feet I tried to see if the AC was turned on.
The light was off but there was definitely cold air coming out of the vents.
After switching it on I noticed no change, just as cold.

Could it be I'm too stupid to switch it off or does anyone recognize this problem? :wtf:

Advise wanted.

Is the knob turned all the way to the lowest setting?

What puzzles me is there isn't a way to have just the fan blowing without the A/C on which is a retarded design flaw. Even if the A/C button is off, it stays on until the knob is turned to the lowest setting. What the hell were they thinking?

my a/c compressor turned off when i turned off the a/c button.

If you have it on recycle or Defrost, the AC compressor is on even if the AC button is off.

^ not for mine. If the windshield is foggy when I have defrost on, I can turn the AC on and it clears it up.

I can have the fan on without ac or heat, by simply turning the temp to cold and turning the ac off.

well.....if your dial is all the way off and it stays on that is wrong so it sounds like your a/c compressor clutch is stuck...in the engaged position obviously. take it to the dealer and yell WTF! at them lol

Really? I wish mine were like that. Sometimes in the winter, I just want the heat to come out of the top defrost vents without the AC on. But my car won't do it. Plus, sometimes I would just like to turn on recycle without the AC on... Such a stupid design.

Really? I wish mine were like that. Sometimes in the winter, I just want the heat to come out of the top defrost vents without the AC on. But my car won't do it. Plus, sometimes I would just like to turn on recycle without the AC on... Such a stupid design.
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Yeah, the whole deal with the recirculate/fresh air kinda sucks, but it's just to help keep moisture out of the car for certain settings.

And look on the bright side.... they could have adopted Ford's retarded-ass hvac system! :o You want a totally re-f***ing-tarded system? Go get in a Ford. LOL

figured it out!!!

brsexton is right.

As soon as the regulator it turned to the right or secondmost to the rigt, window/defrost is on, the airco turns on automatically.

The light doesn't come on though.

I was used to the Airco which you turn on or off with the switch just like that (Renault 19).

But a collegue has a Volvo V40 and he told me to try take the airflow away from window since thats the way his car works.

And sure enough it's the same with the Alero.

Hope you understand the way i wrote it, but as a native dutch speaker i need a few more words to explain.

Thanks,for all replys.