5kcstq, hot "econ" air

[Ken]

Of course, it's hella hot out when this happens.  Between 100-110 degrees fahrenheit.  So, maybe this is a stupid question.

When I put the climate control on the "econ" setting to get some airflow through the cabin when it's hot out, the air almost seems like it's heated.  When I turn the a/c off and switch to econ, it even smells like the heater is on.  Of course, this is with the target temp set lower than ambient, or even on "lo".

The a/c itself takes forever to get cool, and then it comes and goes.  I think the car has been converted to R134, or is that HFC134?  Anyhow, it doesn't work the greatest, especially for short trips.

I checked the heater valve to see if it was actuating, and it seems to be working.  With the heater off, it's under vacuum and the arm is pulled into the body.  Heater on, the arm is extended.  This can only be right, right?

Is there anything else that could be heating the incoming "econ" air besides the heat valve actuating or malfunctioning?

It could just be the crazy hot air from outside, getting further heated by all my hot ductwork.  I just don't have quite the same experience in my Saturn when it's on vent mode, and also the air at the window seems way cooler than the vent air.

It's supposed to be 110F today...

Thanks,

Ken