Hi i have only had the 500L for just over a week, i have noticed that the Air con comes on automatically as you start up the car, and i have to press the A/C button to switch it off, is there any way of setting it so it doesn't come on when starting up?

Thanks,

Rob

ROBERT SMITH said:

Hi i have only had the 500L for just over a week, i have noticed that the Air con comes on automatically as you start up the car, and i have to press the A/C button to switch it off, is there any way of setting it so it doesn't come on when starting up?

Thanks,

Rob

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If the air flow direction dial is set to direct any part of the flow towards the screen the air con will come on.

Thanks for the info Martin, i didn't know that, but i can have a play with it now.

It's a strange set up though, as when the air con is on, and it hits the screen, it makes the screen fog up, making the vehicle dangerous to drive, surely the fiat boffins could have got around this one a bit better. The manual tells you to have it pointed at your feet when on, so they could have had it set for that position on the controls instead.

Regards,

Rob

That should not happen at all!!
See if water drips out from under the car, if not, something is blocked, and that's why the screen gets misted...fix it, as it is dangerous to drive indeed...!!

ROBERT SMITH said:

Thanks for the info Martin, i didn't know that, but i can have a play with it now.

It's a strange set up though, as when the air con is on, and it hits the screen, it makes the screen fog up, making the vehicle dangerous to drive, surely the fiat boffins could have got around this one a bit better. The manual tells you to have it pointed at your feet when on, so they could have had it set for that position on the controls instead.

Regards,

Rob

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Are you sure it's on the inside of the screen?

Sometimes in certain conditions on ours when the cold air hits the screen we get condensation on the outside. A quick flick of the wipers and it's gone.

Peter Pick-Up said:

That should not happen at all!!
See if water drips out from under the car, if not, something is blocked, and that's why the screen gets misted...fix it, as it is dangerous to drive indeed...!!

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:yeahthat:

AC always on is normally the best way, and you need to think of it as aircon active rather than on, as it'll turn the compressor on and off automatically as required

Yes "peter pick up" it's on the inside when it fogs up, and no there is nothing leaking.

The other chap is right though, if the dial is set to anyother position than the screen, it doesn't come on.

Rob

Thanks "most easterly pandas" should i leave the AC on then even when the heaters are on and blowing onto the screen?

Rob

ROBERT SMITH said:

Thanks "most easterly pandas" should i leave the AC on then even when the heaters are on and blowing onto the screen?

Rob

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Hi Rob, yes thats the best thing, should help to remove all the moisture from the air and prevent misting. Normally with AC on a totally misted up car should be clear within 60 seconds if the system is working properly

ROBERT SMITH said:

Yes "peter pick up" it's on the inside when it fogs up, and no there is nothing leaking.

The other chap is right though, if the dial is set to anyother position than the screen, it doesn't come on.

Rob

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'Other chap' speaks

I know I am correct as this has come up on here before and a quick check of the manual confirmed it .

I hadn't noticed ours doing it till it was asked about a short while back.

The thing to note however is that the A/C doesn't switch off when you switch the direction dial back away from the two screen settings, it stays on and has to be switched off again using the A/C button.

ROBERT SMITH said:

Yes "peter pick up" it's on the inside when it fogs up, and no there is nothing leaking.

Rob

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If there's no condensation dripping under the car ( which is normal A/C behavior) than there's something wrong with your A/C system.
There will be a hose blocked, maybe leaves or something, causing condensation on your windscreen inside.
Have it fixed asap, best is to use compressed air from UNDERNEATH the car, and blow the condensation overflow hose clear from debriss...!!
After that, your windscreen will stay clear.

Hi guys, i have had a play with it this afternoon and it all works fine, just the way you all said it should, so i will just let it run in future and see how things go.
I must admit i thought it was a fault at first, but you all seem to know what you are talking about, i found it unusual as no other car i have owned has worked in this way.

Thanks to everyone here who contributed to this thread, and made me little bit wiser.

Many thanks and kind regards,

Rob

Hi there,

There was a software update available for the 500L HVAC unit. (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)

When you select the setting you prefer the car would only remember them until you switch the engine off, So if you turned Air con off. At next start up, the car automatically turns it on as its only memory is a pre defined factory value.

It would mean a trip to the dealer to see if the software update for the HVAC unit is available and applies to your car.

Hope this helps,

The aircon is always running on my car. I don't see the point of turning it off.
If it's enabled the fog disapear FASTER than without.

There is something wrong with your car.

Terje

Hi, thanks BENCEY, i contacted my main dealer and they have not heard of an update as of yet, i have just got used to switching it off.

There is no fault with my car, the AC just comes on automatically if the blower switch is set on windscreen, if left on it does blow the fog off the inside very quickly.

Many thanks for your help on this.

Regards Rob

Hi and welcome! I always turn my heater/air off before shutting my car off. Leaving it on uses more amps to start the car and in return will kill your alternator quicker.