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Front Windshield Defroster Killin' HP?

Old Nov 5, 2003 | 02:21 PM
  #1  
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Front Windshield Defroster Killin' HP?

I just bought my '03 WRX brand new in January of '03 (it only has about 9,000 miles on it) and it is still fully stock. For some reason when I use the front windshield defroster it seems to take away some power even without the air conditioning on. Also, it doesn't happen when I have anything else but the defroster on (like the leg or torso warmers). Anyone else having this problem? A simple email with a yes or no would be awesome just for the piece of mind (sbwrx5@yahoo.com). Thanks a lot people!!
Old Nov 5, 2003 | 11:03 PM
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Yes, the AC comes on with the defroster, thus robbing you of 10-15 peak horsepower.
Old Nov 6, 2003 | 05:47 AM
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Cool. My paranoid thought of getting ripped off are now put to rest. Do you know of anything I could do to fix that? A bypass trick or anything?
Old Nov 6, 2003 | 07:12 AM
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I believe if you use the mixed defroster mode (defroster vent AND floor), the compressor doesn't turn on. Try this and check for the green light to see what I mean.
Old Nov 6, 2003 | 07:15 AM
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It still does it acutally GR8-WRX. But I'm also not sure if the green AC light ever turns on unless I have the AC on.
Old Nov 6, 2003 | 07:28 AM
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You'll find info on doing this mod here-
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...hreadid=148118
Old Nov 6, 2003 | 10:57 AM
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Originally posted by SBwrx5
But I'm also not sure if the green AC light ever turns on unless I have the AC on.
Correct. The a/c button has to be depressed for the indicator light to come on. It will not light up simply by using the defrost mode (even though to a/c is on).

- Kean
Old Nov 9, 2003 | 10:30 PM
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Why would you want to disable the compressor when you're defrosting? Seems to me that's the quickest way to clear things up.

I know that when the A/C is on, the compressor will turn off under heavy load, and I *think* the same is true when the defrost is going.

So floor it. Problem solved.
Old Nov 10, 2003 | 04:58 AM
  #10  
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There are times when just airflow to the windshield will clear it without the compressor, and times where the compressor may be needed. Doing the mod to separate the A/C from the defrost mode leaves the choice up to the driver.
Not all cars do this automatically, my previous one didn't and I was used to being able to control the A/C at all times including in defrost, so I did this mod.
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