A/C Problems in New X?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Tulsa, OK
A/C Problems in New X?
We have a new '03 X with only 1600 miles. The outside air temperature here in Tulsa has been over 80F the past few days. The A/C barely can keep up. Surely this is not normal. Any similar experiences out there?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
3 things:
* ask dealer to check charge in your ac
* go get the Oct flash - it addresses the AC operation @ idle
* consider a remote starter - great here in Texus for cooling it off... when I leave the truck I set the front and rear air on auto, crack a rear window to let most of the heat escape.. and when the remote starts the auto air blast the hot air out the window !
I've had complaints about the AC and first found the charge too high, then was told the flash addressed the AC that sometimes seemed to blow hot...
Seems better now...
* ask dealer to check charge in your ac
* go get the Oct flash - it addresses the AC operation @ idle
* consider a remote starter - great here in Texus for cooling it off... when I leave the truck I set the front and rear air on auto, crack a rear window to let most of the heat escape.. and when the remote starts the auto air blast the hot air out the window !
I've had complaints about the AC and first found the charge too high, then was told the flash addressed the AC that sometimes seemed to blow hot...
Seems better now...
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa, OK
Thanks for the advice. I'm amazed at the level of experience on the forum.
Interesting that the charge level may be too high. I will take your advice on the dealership checks and possibly update "flash". May even do the remote start as we get pretty darn hot here in Tulsa. We had 20 days in a row this summer above 100F.
My truck runs very well at 1600 miles, but fuel economy is not quite what everyone was saying on the forum. I am getting about 15 mpg in 80% city, 20% highway, and 9 mpg on highway at 70 mph when towing a 7000 lb trailer. Fuel economy may be increasing slightly with break-in.
I have an early production (January) 6.0. Apparently, dealership in OKC did a "flash" at sometime before I purchased in late September. What level of "flash", I don't know. I have been debating whether to update "flash" level or not. What is your experience with the October "flash"? What oil are you running with?
Seems like I also heard a rumor about (on a V10 model) the heater core valve remaining partially open during A/C operation. I will ask about this at dealer as well.
Interesting that the charge level may be too high. I will take your advice on the dealership checks and possibly update "flash". May even do the remote start as we get pretty darn hot here in Tulsa. We had 20 days in a row this summer above 100F.
My truck runs very well at 1600 miles, but fuel economy is not quite what everyone was saying on the forum. I am getting about 15 mpg in 80% city, 20% highway, and 9 mpg on highway at 70 mph when towing a 7000 lb trailer. Fuel economy may be increasing slightly with break-in.
I have an early production (January) 6.0. Apparently, dealership in OKC did a "flash" at sometime before I purchased in late September. What level of "flash", I don't know. I have been debating whether to update "flash" level or not. What is your experience with the October "flash"? What oil are you running with?
Seems like I also heard a rumor about (on a V10 model) the heater core valve remaining partially open during A/C operation. I will ask about this at dealer as well.
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Tulsa, OK
As I understand it, "flash" is a re-programming of the computer--probably a firmware program in the CPU that controls the engine, transmission, and body electrical functions (A/C, power controls?, etc.). I don't know why everybody started to call this a "flash".
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
Back in the day 
with eprom's on computers you literally took a cover off the eprom (chip) and FLASHED the eprom with the new program...
The 6.0L has two 32 bit computers that they load the new software on..
Everyone is raving about the flash - and it is better - much better than some of the original attempts, but I think it can get better still...
I would recomend it...
but my fuel mileage is still not where I want it to be...
but it might be if I kept my foot out of it !
the pre May 03, 03 engine builds had the c94 injectors which have proven to be problematic in some of the trucks and they started building them with c95 version injectors...
And I think your right - I've heard of many that have put a heater bypass (or cutoff) to keep the heat out of the interior... but I haven't....
Maybe that's why my CD's are VERY HOT when I pull them out of the changer ?!?! DOH !?!
with eprom's on computers you literally took a cover off the eprom (chip) and FLASHED the eprom with the new program...
The 6.0L has two 32 bit computers that they load the new software on..
Everyone is raving about the flash - and it is better - much better than some of the original attempts, but I think it can get better still...
I would recomend it...
but my fuel mileage is still not where I want it to be...
but it might be if I kept my foot out of it !
the pre May 03, 03 engine builds had the c94 injectors which have proven to be problematic in some of the trucks and they started building them with c95 version injectors...
And I think your right - I've heard of many that have put a heater bypass (or cutoff) to keep the heat out of the interior... but I haven't....
Maybe that's why my CD's are VERY HOT when I pull them out of the changer ?!?! DOH !?!
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
I had a problem with the AC on my 03 6.0L Excursion. My problem was that some AC lines going to rear AC/Heather unit were leaking. It took a non-regular dealer to find the leaking lines and correct the problem.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Tulsa, OK
Regarding fuel mileage. I must admit that I enjoy putting the hammer down on this dude. I may be the main reason for low mpg. However, I'm going to cross my fingers and ask for the latest software update ("flash").
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Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
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Likes: 2
From: Tulsa, OK
Further comments...
I had the A/C charge checked today. Curiously, the local Ford dealer found the charge low--2.25 lbs instead of required 4.18 lbs! No leaks were found. Maybe, just maybe, they charged the system with amount meant for F-250 or for X without rear A/C.??
Now, it works well.
Also, I may have made a mistake of having the computer "re-flashed". Much much louder at idle (up about 50 - 100 rpm), but somewhat smoother. Doesn't start up as quickly. Doesn't seem to have as much "punch". Fuel economy change is unknown.
I had the A/C charge checked today. Curiously, the local Ford dealer found the charge low--2.25 lbs instead of required 4.18 lbs! No leaks were found. Maybe, just maybe, they charged the system with amount meant for F-250 or for X without rear A/C.??
Now, it works well.
Also, I may have made a mistake of having the computer "re-flashed". Much much louder at idle (up about 50 - 100 rpm), but somewhat smoother. Doesn't start up as quickly. Doesn't seem to have as much "punch". Fuel economy change is unknown.