Here is the bulletin number my dealer was reading to me. Go to Ford web site, find where ever SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGES are and the number for this one is 17026....

Also was told a better way to go rather than Lemon Law is go through a Dispute Settlement Board, no attorney needed, they are an independent board having nothing to do with Ford and they will decide whether or not the car is to be replaced by Ford.

 

Here is the info on that Bulletin #17026

Expy/Navigator - Loss of Climate Control Cooling During Extended Driving.

Some 03-04 vehicles may exhibit a loss of airflow from the A/C sys during highway drives of 30 minutes or more. This may be due to the evaporator core freezing. This concern is currently being investigated by engineering. In some cases, there may be a problem w/the relay or wiring for the A/C compressor clutch. If the electrical sys is functioning, the A/C compressor clutch will disengage when the high pressure switch is disconnected. Units built before 8/12/02 may be helped by replacing thermostatic switch per SSM 16366. If switch has already been replaced or vehicle was built after 8/12/02 do NOT replace the switch again. Operating system at higher blower speeds may help minimize concern. SSM will be updated when further info is avail. Estimated early 4th quarter, 2003.

 

Can you post a link to that section of the ford site. I couldn't seem to find anything.
Thanks.

 

Raudy,

This sounds like my exact problem. What's a SSM?

 

I could not find anything on the Ford site either, that is why I had him fax the into to me.

SSM = Special Service Message

I do rememer at one time find a site that had all the tecnhical bulletins, recall info etc, but can't find it now. Maybe a new thread could be posted asking where to find this info. Am sure some people on this forum know where to find that kind of info. The service manager just said on the Ford site, so had no idea it would be that hard to find.

 

Picking up my Lemon Law replacement vehicle in the morning. Have my fingers crossed that this one will blow cold. If not maybe my cooled seats will make up for it......lol.
Do not know how exactly your states lemon law process works, but would guess it is somewhat similar to here in Florida.
Some advice, even though your experiance with your Expedition has not been good and you have spent plenty of YOUR time traveling to and from the dealership Ford is still going to charge you a usage fee based on your milage. Remember Ford IS NOT your friend. I know here in Florida, you are much better off using your states lemon law than Fords program. I added 95% of my vehicles miles trying to be Mr. Nice Guy and let the dealership fix the problem after I could have originally filed.........I made out good on the deal, but would have been sitten real pretty if I would have filed in the beginning. Do yourself a favor and file. Once filed dealership would not work on vehicle anymore, but who cares they couldn't fix it the other dozen or so trips in. Process took less than 2 months.
Here in Florida you do not need a attoney (unless you want one)

 

Raudy,
I agree with KIPG...go with the lemon law. Here is a link to the cartalk website that will provide you with plain english explanation of lemon law in your state:
http://cartalk.cars.com/Got-A-Car/Lemon/

Also, Alldata.com is the site that lists the TSB information. Here is the link: http://www.alldata.com/TSB/032054_en.html

However, the 2003 info won't be available to buy/read until winter of this year. I intend on subscribing when it is available. However, at this time, you can at least get the bulletin number to take to your dealer.

 

Kipg,
What other problems did you have besides the A/C blowing hot/cold ?

 

Finally!! something I can show my dealer since they don't believe me. (Just like I did with the brake dust)

 

That was the main problem with the vehicle. Had a few other problems with mirrors and noises, but A/C was the main one. The rear A/C drain lines backed-up twice and basically flooded the rear area between 2nd and 3rd row.........other than that it was a great vehicle........LOL

 

My problem is with the loud hissing noise coming from expansion valve that you can hear even with the stereo on...
met with the regional ford rep yesterday (virginia area). As we were pulling out of the dealership, I noticed a new '04 F150 on the lot. I said "wow, I didn't know you had any "04s yet." He said, "No, that is a 2003, but there might be a 2004 on the lot, I'm not sure." So, I am thinking how knowledgeable can this guy be if he can't even pick out the completely redesigned best selling truck in the country!!! After I pointed out the noise I have been hearing, we went back to the dealership. He called the "ford hotline." They said they have reports of this "situation," but it is an acceptable characteristic of the new a/c using the expansion valve rather than the orifice tube.
I drove a 2004 expy with 234 miles on it (the owner's) and couldn't hear the noise unless I put my ear down to the evaporator housing. His had the climate control, mine does not. Then we drove a 2003 with 22k miles. I could hear the hissing noise, but it was not near as loud, nor as often.
The ford rep said he thought the expy with 22k was louder than mine. I completely disagreed. Other than having a way to measure decible levels, there could be no way to measure such a subjective nuisance.
Bottom line, he said, that the expansion valve system is superior to the orifice tube, but unfortunately, the noise is a by-product and ford can't do anything about that. I again disagreed, as my 96 explorer and my 98 F150 I assume have orifice tubes, and they will both freeze your nuts off and you cannot hear any hissing coming from the evaporator.
Bottom line....I think he is nothing more than a pr man and he lied about his perception of how loud my hissing was compared to the others. Anybody else with this hissing noise having any luck with solutions?

 

I have a 03 with a different A/C problem. Hot cold, hot cold, but I have never heard a hissing noise. Last trip to the dealer last week came out we cannot fix it at this time. They are saying the expansion valve may be the problem, bad design, blah blah.

I said then how come only mine and not tons of people with this problem. They could not answer. They have been as good as they can be and I am sure to keep me from filing a lemon law suit.

Not sure what to do myself, Friends say file, dealer has asked me to wait till engineering resolves. I am not going to wait till next summer though, damn the car will be a year and half old by then.

So not sure what to tell you, but his is my delima right now.

 

raudy,
I don't know the rules of the Lemon Law where you are but where I live you have to file in the first 12 months and before 12,000 miles. i suggest you read the law
My dealer has also asked me to wait for a fix on the AC but I still have the steering wheel shake so I am waiting ot get the car back this time from repair to decide what to do.

 

Funny thing, the ford rep said the reason they went to the expansion valve system was because it supplied a more constant temperature!! Anyone here care to disagree?? Luckily, mine is cold all the time, just hate riding with the hissing constantly in the background.
The '04 I drove had the climate control and I did notice that it would blow warmer and then cooler air. I don't know if this is how it maintains the temperature at the desired level, but it was noticeable.

 

I am going to go forward with the lemon law suit. I cannot find an attorney anywhere around here but did find a web site called automobile lemon law attorneys and called them. They want me to fax all my service records tomorrow and wil get back to me within a day. Not quite sure how it all works but will find out more when they review my records.

I have read my lemon law statutes for Nevada and it says must be filed no later than 18 months after purchase of the vehicle.

What worries me is they may never find a fix and also how come all 2003 Expy's don't have this problem with the air expansion valve. I just don't think I will see a fix in the very near future.

Weill post back when I hear back from the attorney I found on lemonauto.com.