# AC works on defrost setting only

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-works-on-defrost-setting-only/64271>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** airconditioning, toyota, camry\
**Created:** [April 30, 2011, 10:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-works-on-defrost-setting-only/64271 "2011-04-30T22:43:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Purrsyn999](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f07891/32.png) [@Purrsyn999](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purrsyn999)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 10:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-works-on-defrost-setting-only/64271/1 "2011-04-30T22:43:29Z")

</div>

My AC is not working on any setting but defrost. Warm air blows out on the reg AC settings, but if I turn it to defrost, chilly air comes out. Any ideas?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 11:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-works-on-defrost-setting-only/64271/2 "2011-04-30T23:58:17Z")

</div>

That would point to the AC switch or associated wiring. The defrost bypasses this switch on some cars.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![knfenimore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9fc348/32.png) [@knfenimore](https://community.cartalk.com/u/knfenimore)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 6:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ac-works-on-defrost-setting-only/64271/3 "2011-05-01T18:29:07Z")

</div>

The door that directs the air to either defrost or cabin position is either stuck or motor is dead. This may use vacuum depending on the year. A vacuum leak would cause the door to no move either. My 95 Dodge did this and needed a little motor, $85. My old 77 Chevy did it and I had a vacuum leak. Depends on what you have.