Function Selector Switch
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Mercury Mountaineer, 2009 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, and 2009 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The function selector switch combines a vacuum selector valve that determines air distribution and an electrical switch to supply battery voltage to the A/C compressor circuit and the blower motor circuit. When the function selector switch is in the MAX A/C, DEFROST or FLOOR/DEFROST positions, the A/C compressor will be operational regardless of the A/C request switch status.