Air Conditioner problems of the 2004 Nissan Sentra

Air conditioning compressor will engage (a/c will turn on) regardless of ambient air temperature, when one or both of the following conditions are met: 1. When the interior cabin temperature dial is set to any temperature, including hot (red area all the way to the right), and the windshield defrost option is not set (a/c should not be on, but will turn on), or 2. The windshield defrost option on the air handler dial is set once, the air conditioning will turn on, and stay on regardless of any temperature dial change or other setting change the driver performs as long as the cabin blower stays on (selected speed from 0 through 4). In the best case, this will cause poor fuel economy due to the fact that the air conditioning is running without need in cold weather. In the worst case, instant fogging may occur on the interior side of the windshield as well as driver and passenger side door glass, which could lead to poor visibility and eventually a crash. Using heat settings in the winter at the same time the air conditioning is engaged will cause abnormally high humidity levels in the cabin. Consumer has experienced this several times since December has been the coldest month of ownership yet, and has resolved this problem by disconnecting the 12v-14vdc line that engages a/c compressor just for cold weather driving. Consumer secured the line using 2 plastic wire ties, securing it away from the automatic fan and the heat shield on the exhaust manifold to avoid an electrical malfunction. Line will be reconnected during warmer months.