We have noticed that the A/C appears to be running even though the switch is off in the Dak. If we turn the temp control all the way to cold the air out of the vents is cold. When we park, we have the classic condensor pool of water under the vehicle. Also when I open the hood and feel the condensor pipes they are very cold. All this with the switch off.
ideas?

 

Is the clutch for the compressor turning or just the pully? The A/C lines will get alot of moisture on them if it is on and the A/C Drier will also. The condenser is the radiator looking piece in front of the radiator. See if the A/C clutch is turning with the fan selector turned off (all the way left) And light on the top botton on the right side of the A/C controls

 

I think your A/C switch is being pulled into the contactswhich energizes the compressor and thats happening by either your Tstat which could be faulty or your contactsare dirty/stuck in the on posistion or could be stuck on because of faulty relay in the defrost cycle too.I'd have to see it to really tell.

In question to the water,the suction line (fatter one)on the compessor will be cool and have ton's of sweat/condensation on it,the liquid line (smaller one)will be friggin hot.I wouldn't touch it w/ your tounge.

Good luck.

Blu_

 

Mine will blow cold air on defrost without the AC on, my dad's ram does it as well as a 2000 ram we have as a company truck and the 96 ram my grandfather used to have. I consider it pretty normal since all the dodge trucks we've had are like that. If it blows really cold air on anything other than defrost (and maybe feet? can't remember) that might not be normal.

 

Almost all vehicles today automatically run the AC when in the defrost mode to help remove the moisture from the windows.

 

+1, when the control is set to defrost the ac compressor is running to dry out the air