I'm confused on how to disengage the a/c compressor on my ECC to get fresh air flow in when pushing the manual mode selector. It seems that any mode I select, I can still hear the compressor engaging. The owner'* manual doesn't seem to address this issue at all.

Depress the A/C button until the climate control displays shows AC off

Thanks for the tip. I have tried that and it works so long as you don't touch anything else, like redirecting the airflow. When I do that, the A/C kicks on again all by itself. I have a 2000 SLE. I don't really mind it, though. In fact I've become spoiled with not having to ever fiddle with the climate control at all!