2004 Forester XT: Cabin temperature is either too hot or too cold

[D H]

I don't think it's the outside air that's important. The key is that
the
A/C needs to be on when in the defog setting to work. A lot of the
older vehicle A/C's do not come on even in the defog position and many
owners
do not know to turn on their A/C's so that the defog would work
better.

This may be true of some, though the old GM vehicles, for example, were
usually set to run the AC drying unit when in defrost mode.

Also, it didn't matter if I had it on recirculate or high heat. My
windows
would clear up fast once the A/C is switched on because it dries the
air
and removes the fogging action.

Yes, the AC will clear INSIDE condensation quickly regardless of whether
in recirculate or high heat, because yes, it does dry the air.
However, left on for any length of time, AC air that is colder than the
outside air (ie. when the temp control is set to NOT heat it), will build up
condensation on the OUTSIDE of your windshield, which at first _appears_ to
be mist on the inside but is not. This will continue until you either stop
cooling the air by running AC, _OR_ you add heat to the situation by
adjusting the temp control hotter. This is an unavoidable consequence of
maintaining a temperature difference between the inside and outside glass
surfaces, where the outside surface air has moisture available to be
condensed.

--
D N
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[D H]

Yes, the AC will clear INSIDE condensation quickly regardless of whether
in recirculate or high heat, because yes, it does dry the air.
However, left on for any length of time, AC air that is colder than the
outside air (ie. when the temp control is set to NOT heat it), will build up
condensation on the OUTSIDE of your windshield, which at first _appears_ to
be mist on the inside but is not. This will continue until you either stop
cooling the air by running AC, _OR_ you add heat to the situation by
adjusting the temp control hotter. This is an unavoidable consequence of
maintaining a temperature difference between the inside and outside glass
surfaces, where the outside surface air has moisture available to be
condensed.

Point of clarification to what I said: the above only applies IF you
have the air directed up onto the windshield. If blowing only elsewhere in
the cabin, it rarely will cool everything down enough to cause any
condensation on outside surfaces. (Obviously, or else using AC at all would
be impractical.)
--
D N
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[BBB]

This doesn't address the question of whether the 2003-04 Forester's
climate control system is well designed or effective, or whether one can
believe the temperature settings on the control knob. However, the
wizards who programmed the system did include a self test of its major
components. This test simply determines whether things are working, not
whether they're achieving the desired result.

The procedure for running this test can be found on the scoobymods site,
at:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2801

 

[Xtranet]

A/C needs to be on when in the defog setting to work. A lot of the

This may be true of some, though the old GM vehicles, for example, were
usually set to run the AC drying unit when in defrost mode.

I agree. I have one of those vehicles. I also had older Japanese vehicles
that did not. Comparing the vehicles now from before, the majority of vehicles
now have the AC come on automatically. When I said a lot, it doesn't mean
all. Maybe I should be more specific next time?

Yes, the AC will clear INSIDE condensation quickly regardless of whether
in recirculate or high heat, because yes, it does dry the air.
However, left on for any length of time, AC air that is colder than the
outside air (ie. when the temp control is set to NOT heat it), will build up
condensation on the OUTSIDE of your windshield, which at first _appears_ to
be mist on the inside but is not. This will continue until you either stop
cooling the air by running AC, _OR_ you add heat to the situation by
adjusting the temp control hotter. This is an unavoidable consequence of
maintaining a temperature difference between the inside and outside glass
surfaces, where the outside surface air has moisture available to be
condensed.

This is the same as the ice water in a glass cup example where condensation
develops on the outside. I agree that this occurs, however I was pointing
out that the A/C has a larger impact to clearing the windows in defog than
outside air.

Also, condensation problems while driving occurs more often in the interior
than the outside because of the temperature differences on 2 sides of the
glass. I guess we've gotten off on a tangent or maybe I have.

 

[H. Whelply]

"A" can be said to be true at least in regard to the fact that mine works. I
can't whether "lucky" accurately describes my experience.

"B" may be true, with regard to those who complained here. I can't say
whether they represent "all" of the "complainers."

HW

 

[D H]

I agree. I have one of those vehicles. I also had older Japanese vehicles
that did not. Comparing the vehicles now from before, the majority of vehicles
now have the AC come on automatically. When I said a lot, it doesn't mean
all. Maybe I should be more specific next time?

We're getting it cleared up. Yes, I had the two different types too. The
japanese ones did not do it automatically in my case as well. I personally
prefer it that way because I understand how it works and can choose the best
method for the situation, which sometimes does not need any AC drier
involvement, and I don't want the AC system pulling if it doesn't need to.

(snip)

This is the same as the ice water in a glass cup example where condensation
develops on the outside. I agree that this occurs, however I was pointing
out that the A/C has a larger impact to clearing the windows in defog than
outside air.

Also, condensation problems while driving occurs more often in the interior
than the outside because of the temperature differences on 2 sides of the
glass. I guess we've gotten off on a tangent or maybe I have.

Hey, if we went off, I went too, but hopefully it was productive for
someone. I think we have been seeing different sides of the thing, and being
a little on the analytical side, I thought maybe the point was still not
fully clear.
Seems you're seeing the same thing because the glass example is exactly
what I've referred to. I just wasn't sure that you saw it. Many folks don't
until they actually experience it, usually by forgetting to change the
airflow direction down off the windshield (defrost area) when they turn on
the AC with temp set to Cold.
Have a good day...
--
D N
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[Jerre Bassler]

Along with not liking the climate control on my 03 Forester, I also
dislike the small little green light indicators thats used to tell you
which settings are on. Also dislike the room taken up by the moon roof.
The track hits me on the head with the seat in a high position that I
prefer.

 

[Tony Burns]

thank you for that information.

 

[Daya]

Mine is a 03 Forester XS and have that same problem also. It will even turn
on the air conditioner (light on) when it "thinks" it's too hot inside after
a while and that worries me. I don't know if it will actually turning on
the air conditioner in WINTER or actually direct the cool air from outside.
A quick check on the manual says the compressor will not turn on below zero
degree celcius outside temp. but I still not sure.

Time to take it back to Subaru. Since the car is just over 4 mos old, the
worst that they can tell me is it is not a problem.