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I wasn't sure mine was working back when my '11 was new, so I ended up testing it one day with a thermometer in the vents comparing against engine coolant temp. Dash temperatures were about 40* above coolant temp if I remember right.
I wasn't sure mine was working back when my '11 was new, so I ended up testing it one day with a thermometer in the vents comparing against engine coolant temp. Dash temperatures were about 40* above coolant temp if I remember right.
I was never really impressed with it.
Ya, I think we were on the same page 4 years ago LOL.
I wasn't sure mine was working back when my '11 was new, so I ended up testing it one day with a thermometer in the vents comparing against engine coolant temp. Dash temperatures were about 40* above coolant temp if I remember right.
Does the hvac need to be on auto for the PTC heater to work? If so, I haven't tried that yet. Will try again tomorrow morning as the truck is too warm at the moment. Also seems like the heater fan has to be on low also.
I used a Scangauge II, but in the years since that post there are a number of cheaper options out there. I sold the ScanGauge a couple years ago with the Excursion, and now I use the Torque Pro Android app with a bluetooth interface. Both can be had for under $30.
Update, looks like I need a climate control box from a truck that has the same features as mine but also with the PTC heater. Also appears that I have found one for $250. Hopefully this is the last piece of the puzzle!!! Stay tuned....
Update: So I managed to find an hvac box that came from a truck with the supp heater for $250. Installed it this morning and I am pretty sure it's now working. I was in the garage and the ambient temps were about 10C so the oil temp was already a bit warm but the temps at the vents felt much warmer than before. I won't get a chance to do a proper test until I get a chance to let the truck cold soak outside overnight. But I think I'm finally there folks!!!
Part number for hvac box with PTC heater.
Edit: One little issue I ran into is that the one I bought has a rear window defrost instead of the mirror defrost button but I just tried and it's working in the mirrors too as the snow I put on them is meting and the mirrors are drying nicely.
Ok, today the truck sat outside in the cold all day and when the oil temp was about 6C I could tell the vents were easily blowing well into the high teens, if not above 20C. Basically if felt almost hot. Again, not scorching but a noticeable difference from without the heater. So that tells me that it is now definitely working!
One other thing to note is that you cannot simply reprogram the hvac to include the PTC heater. The ford software will only allow it to be reprogrammed with original build data that matches the VIN of the truck. So anyone who wants to try this, you will also need to source an hvac unit from a truck that has the PTC heater already and all of the same options yours has. Even if you buy a brand new one, you would have to order one for a truck that had all of the same features and the PTC heater to boot. They are like $750 cdn. Luckily I found one locally for $250.
Next cold soak opportunity, I will get some temp data but suffice to say I am 99% convinced it is now working. Anyway, this saga finally comes to an end. Thanks to everyone who provided support and info along the way!!!
11-27-2015, 03:16 PM
