HVAC Recirculation Coming On/Off By Itself???

[Ox1500Sport]

2014 1500 Crew Sport, 34k miles - Something new this summer with my HVAC - the system seems to be activating the recirculation by itself!

I'll have the AC on (not in auto) ... doesn't seem to really matter the specific settings ... and, the fan "noise" will be what you'd expect with outside air on. Then, all of the sudden, the fan "noise" will get louder, greater velocity, and colder all on its own - - like the recirculation was activated "by itself"! It'll continue to go off/on periodically as well.

What the heck is going on now? I'm out of warranty by time (not miles) ~ figures. Anybody else noticed this issue?

 

[stimpy433]

It's suppose to do that, it's taking the humidity out of the air in the cabin, it's normal.

 

[crash68]

^^^^ what he said
If you look on your build sheet, it specs a humidity sensor listed. That sensor is what switches the system into recirculation and back.
I think if you turn manually turn the recirculation on then off, it stops the automatic control till the next time the key is turned off/on.

 

[Ox1500Sport]

OK ... makes sense I suppose. I just don't recall the system ever doing this in prior summers (I've owned the truck since new); and, where I'm at in N. Carolina its "always" humid in the summer! ~sigh

 

[Hemi395]

Ok I thought I was crazy last summer when mine did that several times. Not every time I drove the truck but seemed to be on longer trips.

 

[Hemi395]

If there's a way to stop this I'm interested. All that added wear and tear on the recirc actuator. Replacing the recirc door actuator requires pulling the dash and possibly the entire HVAC assembly

 

[lw13ram]

I noticed mine doing it during the colder months when I had the temp in the middle or higher. I thought it might have a temp sensor and was getting too hot

 

[Ox1500Sport]

^^^^ what he said
If you look on your build sheet, it specs a humidity sensor listed. That sensor is what switches the system into recirculation and back.
I think if you turn manually turn the recirculation on then off, it stops the automatic control till the next time the key is turned off/on.

Starting to wonder if my "humidity sensor" is jacked ... seems like mine just actuates way more often than in the past.

 

[Mtgldr]

Hello, new here. Just purchased a 2017 Big Horn, 5.7, 4x4 with the touchscreen ATC. Checked the build sheet, it states humidity sensor. I'm not sure what RAM considers humid, seems mine starts the AC in recirculate no matter what the temp or humidity is outside. My wife and I are both smokers so we rarely use recirculate unless on a long trip. Turning it on and turn it off does reset the system but having to do this every time we drive the truck is a getting very annoying. Is there a way to turn off the humidity sensor or wrap something around it to stop this feature? Anyone know where it is, have searched and am seeing locations all over the place.

Thank you in advance for any advice.
Scott

 

[Tim7139]

I started noticing this occurring this year too.

Some times it would turn on first thing in the morning, others it would kick in after driving a while.

When I had the glove box out I observed it disconnects the fresh air every time I turn it off. After several key cycles it fails to connect to fresh air again for one cycle, then go back to connecting normally. Dealership is uncertain if it was an update or expected behavior and is "looking into it".

 

[NoveskeFan]

Isn’t it usually preferable to use the recirculated air in the summer/hotter temps, helping the compressor & outside air in the winter/cooler temps, to keep fogging down?

 

[RamCares]

Hello, new here. Just purchased a 2017 Big Horn, 5.7, 4x4 with the touchscreen ATC. Checked the build sheet, it states humidity sensor. I'm not sure what RAM considers humid, seems mine starts the AC in recirculate no matter what the temp or humidity is outside. My wife and I are both smokers so we rarely use recirculate unless on a long trip. Turning it on and turn it off does reset the system but having to do this every time we drive the truck is a getting very annoying. Is there a way to turn off the humidity sensor or wrap something around it to stop this feature? Anyone know where it is, have searched and am seeing locations all over the place.

Thank you in advance for any advice.
Scott

Hi Scott,
I understand your concern. If you decide to have your dealer look into this, you can also send us a private message and we would be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have while your truck is being serviced.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Mtgldr]

Hi Scott,
I understand your concern. If you decide to have your dealer look into this, you can also send us a private message and we would be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have while your truck is being serviced.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

I'd be happy to take to the dealer if there is a way to disable this feature. By your response I am assuming there is a way to accomplish this? I don't want to schedule an Appt and then be told sorry, no way to change that.
Thanks,
Scott