I have never experienced the volume of air going up when you hit recirc. It gets louder, because the air is getting pulled in from under the dashboard, rather than from outside, so it may seem that the volume goes up. Also, my experience is that it does not immediately get noticeably colder--it will cool more, because it's starting with cooler, drier air (from inside the cabin). Try overriding the fan speed to a higher speed before you hit recirc, then see if you hear or feel a difference.

 

Ok I tried it with the fan on the highest speed and I don't see or feel any difference. Do you notice a difference when you hit the recirc button on yours?

Thanks!

 

ac

I know in any van that we have had,, yes you do notice a difference when you hit the recirc button so you may have an issue with blend door.

 

The fresh air intake can be shut off by pressing the Recirculation button on the A/C heater control. This will operate the electrically actuated recirculation-air door, which closes off the fresh air intake. With the fresh air intake closed, the conditioned air within the vehicle is pulled back into the HVAC housing through the recirculation air intake located within the passenger compartment.

The A/C compressor can be engaged by pressing the A/C (snowflake) button on the A/C heater control. It will automatically engage when the mode control is set in any Mix to Defrost position. This will remove heat and humidity from the air before it is directed through or around the heater core. The mode control on the A/C heater control is used to direct the conditioned air to the selected system outlets.

Only use the Recirculation mode to temporarily block out any outside odors, smoke, or dust, and to cool the interior rapidly upon initial start-up in very hot or humid weather.

• If the Recirculation button is pressed when the system is in Defrost mode the Recirculation LED indicator will flash 3 times to indicate recirculation mode is not allowed.
• In Floor and Mix mode the system will turn off Recirculation mode after five minutes of operation. You can select Recirculation mode again if desired.
• Continuous use of the Recirculation mode may make the inside air stuffy and window fogging may occur. Extended use of this mode is not recommended.
• In cold or damp weather, the use of the Recirculation mode will cause windows to fog on the inside because of moisture buildup inside the vehicle. For maximum defogging, select the outside air position.
• In order to prevent fogging, when the Recirculation button is pressed and the mode control is set to Panel, the A/C will engage automatically.
• The A/C can be deselected manually without disturbing the mode control selection.

If your air conditioning performance seems lower than expected, check the front of the A/C condenser (located in front of the radiator), for an accumulation of dirt or insects. Clean with a gentle water spray from behind the radiator and through the condenser. Fabric front fascia
protectors may reduce airflow to the condenser, reducing air conditioning performance.

 

But shouldn't you notice a difference when recirc is selected? It was always extremely noticible in every Mopar I have owned in the last 20 years, and even every minivan I have owned. Just seems odd that selecting recirc makes no difference at all.

Thanks for the help!
Chris

 

On my 2011, when in the auto mode, it will automatically go into out of recirc as needed to achieve set point temp or maintain it. If you push the recirc button if this is happening, then you will not detect any difference since it's already in recirc. For example, on a hot day when outside temp is above 95? and driving in traffic, I can hear the difference in the cabin noise when it goes in and out of recirc. If the car has been sitting in the sun, and the inside temp is super hot, the a/c will automatically be in recirc until it achieves the set point.

I never run it in any mode other than auto. The only thing I adjust is the temp.

 

I also have the same conditions with my 2011. I have gone to "manual" to verify that in auto that the system will select recirc as required.

 

Thanks guys!

 

One additional item I've noticed. Sometimes when the vehicle turns towards the sun it sounds as though recirc. is engaged again. This occurs frequently here in Tucson. Overall the system works very well.

 

Ok that is what I was thinking, we purchased this van last year in July and it was very hot out. The AC kicked ass. Now this year, not so much. It was 80 a couple of days ago and I had the air turned down to it's coldest setting and I was still sweating!! Something isn't right!

Thanks again!