Disabling outside air vent for Fulltime Recirculation

[YBABRAT]

Not much has been talked about this mod. Only a few words about it being one of the best mods done.

I decided to search and find a post about disabling the outside air vent. After trying it myself for a few days.... it is awesome!

I'll explain what I have experienced with the mod and it's small short comings.

Early morning 50° F and lower.... defrost does not blast hot air like it did before. It's blended with ambient air in cabin. It does defrost but will take a minute longer to function as before.

The mod sets forced air recirculation to combat the automatic opening of outside air vent at intervals. No matter the setting air recirculation is always on.

No more stinky smells in hard excelleration, no more cold or hot air from outside being released under dash, no more imbalance of cabin temperature.

How to properly do the mod... 1st drop the glove box lid as if to replace cabin filter. On the left of the air box is a connector. It controls the recirculation vent.​

​

If recirculation vent is open, the out side air vent is disabled. Unfortunately when recirculation is manually set with button, the system will override and switch to outside air in intervals.​

​

To disable the automated override, unplug the connector when recirculation light on button is active. Once disconnected, recirculation will always be on regardless of the air controls setting.​

​

If you don't like the results, you can reconnect the plug to the air box and air controls will be as before.​

Sponsored

 

[Ratbert]

I'm wondering if that's a good idea. Maybe you're thinking that our Wranglers aren't sealed enough to matter that you're building up carbon dioxide and moisture? That should make defrosting your windows a bit challenging too.

 

[Terrymo]

I guess I’ve never noticed any of the “problems“ you describe. Maybe you’re more observant than me which is quite possible. But this feels like another one of those solutions in search of a problem.

 

[YBABRAT]

I'm wondering if that's a good idea. Maybe you're thinking that our Wranglers aren't sealed enough to matter that you're building up carbon dioxide and moisture? That should make defrosting your windows a bit challenging too.

Nope... just tired of the issues with outside air effecting cabin temps. I did not have any issues with auto ac but now that I have cold weather, it's apparent the mod has merit. As for defrost it works... just have to wait a little longer for engine temp to build. I could set temp to 75°F to override some of the blend, but it still will need warm up time. The Jeep before the mod was pretty darn fast at defrost soon after start. It's faster at defrosting than most cars but not as fast as before the mod.

 

[YBABRAT]

I guess I’ve never noticed any of the “problems“ you describe. Maybe you’re more observant than me which is quite possible. But this feels like another one of those solutions in search of a problem.

The main reason I tried the mod, was to stop the catalytic converter smell during hard acceleration. It just so happens it has made better use of air controls in providing a consistent environment.

Example... outside temp 45°F, once defroster has run for 15 minutes with temp set at 69, face feels toasty, legs feel chill from outside air. Never truly get cabin to stabilize with temp setting other than A/C when used.. After mod, cabin has a more consistent temp and face not being as toasty as before.... which is a good thing, being that temp control was feeling outside temp more than vent temp, and kept heat at maximum to compensate. Blending air better was only done with recirculation, but defrost soon disables the mode when activated. Though the mod font care, it stays in recirculation mode 100% of the time in all settings.

 

[Terrymo]

Fair enough. I‘ve never noticed a catalytic smell on acceleration, but if I remember I will pay closer attention and see if I can tell. The other conditions you describe may be happening as well. Maybe I‘m an under thinker.

 

[YBABRAT]

Fair enough. I‘ve never noticed a catalytic smell on acceleration, but if I remember I will pay closer attention and see if I can tell. The other conditions you describe may be happening as well. Maybe I‘m an under thinker.

Well, it's hard to say why I see issues... did not on my 1st week of owning. Just noticed peculiarities as to seasonal weather, auto climate control and manual settings. All I can say is try it to see what you are missing. Nobody is going to keep you from putting things back if it's not what you find a worth while improvement.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Fair enough. I‘ve never noticed a catalytic smell on acceleration, but if I remember I will pay closer attention and see if I can tell. The other conditions you describe may be happening as well. Maybe I‘m an under thinker.

Unless there's a hole in your exhaust, how could you? Yes the cats are near the front of the Jeep where the air intake is, but they exhaust...at the rear. Especially under hard acceleration I just don't see how it's possible, unless we are doing hard accelerations in reverse?

 

[wrang_stang]

I'm wondering if that's a good idea. Maybe you're thinking that our Wranglers aren't sealed enough to matter that you're building up carbon dioxide and moisture? That should make defrosting your windows a bit challenging too.

I‘ve slept in my wrangler and others sleep in their more sealed cars all the time. I’ve never heard of someone suffocating that way but let me know if that’s a real problem.

The Wrangler has plenty of vents and is probably one of the least “sealed” vehicles out there. I would think especially with the AC on (even in recirc) and with the car moving that’s not a concern at all. As for moisture, the HVAC should detect that and start conditioning if it gets too high, even in cold temps it will just mix the conditioned air with more heat from the engine.

 

[wrang_stang]

Well, it's hard to say why I see issues... did not on my 1st week of owning. Just noticed peculiarities as to seasonal weather, auto climate control and manual settings. All I can say is try it to see what you are missing. Nobody is going to keep you from putting things back if it's not what you find a worth while improvement.

Looking at your profile I’m not sure, but this can be a problem with 4xes that don’t run the engine often. Sometimes you’ll get the smell of hot oil in the cabin if the engine hasn’t been started for a while.

 

[YBABRAT]

Unless there's a hole in your exhaust, how could you? Yes the cats are near the front of the Jeep where the air intake is, but they exhaust...at the rear. Especially under hard acceleration I just don't see how it's possible, unless we are doing hard accelerations in reverse?

I read a few threads searching out why some smell odors in hard acceleration. Others complain of outside air interference with cabin air. I only seen the outside air be a problem for cold weather driving. Nobody wants being half child and half toasty.

I corrected what few issues I found in one quick fix. Glad I did before cold weather really sets in.

 

[YBABRAT]

Looking at your profile I’m not sure, but this can be a problem with 4xes that don’t run the engine often. Sometimes you’ll get the smell of hot oil in the cabin if the engine hasn’t been started for a while.

It's a daily driver. 32 minutes of hwy driving one way and back. Only happens when I floor it. Windows are closed, air controls are off.

 

[Zandcwhite]

It's a daily driver. 32 minutes of hwy driving one way and back. Only happens when I floor it. Windows are closed, air controls are off.

Maybe that's why I've never experienced this issue, who drives around in stagnant air? Either the fan is on or there's at least 1 window open.

 

[Terrymo]

Maybe that's why I've never experienced this issue, who drives around in stagnant air? Either the fan is on or there's at least 1 window open.

Same…maybe that’s the variable I’m missing. I always have my fan on at least level 2 unless windows are down.

 

[Terrymo]

Well, it's hard to say why I see issues... did not on my 1st week of owning. Just noticed peculiarities as to seasonal weather, auto climate control and manual settings. All I can say is try it to see what you are missing. Nobody is going to keep you from putting things back if it's not what you find a worth while improvement.

Well I won’t go far enough to try disabling things since I‘m not motivated to do it. Plenty of other things on my to do list.

Sponsored