Climate Control, A/C and gas mileage

[RiverRat37]

Hey guys my 1999 Limited has the ever so popular messed up climate control unit. The a/c light stays on all the time no matter if a/c or heat is on. I understand that with some of the heat settings the a/c will be on for defrosting, etc. This thing simply won't turn off... If I mash the off button to the point of my thumb breaking it will turn off sometimes but not often and when it does it usually comes back on by itself. My main question is with the a/c light being on all the time while my heat is on does that mean the a/c compressor is on and working that whole time? Also can it wear out the a/c compressor quicker and how do you think it effects gas mileage with being on while heating? Thanks for checking this out and any input is much appreciated.

 

[techno]

The temp setting will have no impact on the a/c performance. The a/c is designed to run at either hot or cold. When on cold, it makes the air colder. When on hot, it makes the air drier for de-fogging. Obviously, the more something runs, the sooner it will wear out, but I personally would not worry about it too much. Fix the problem of course, but no need to stress about it in the meantime.
Your mileage will suffer a small amount in city driving, but not on the highway.

 

[RiverRat37]

Thanks... I'm on kind of a tight budget and when I get the funds I'll be getting the climate control fixed... Thanks again...