A/C Question 2013 STX
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 44
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvania
A/C Question 2013 STX
Hi everyone.
I purchased my 1st truck in January 2013 STX and now that the weather has gotten warmer, I've used the A/C a few times and noticed the air is cool, but not Ice Cold. I've the A/C norms are different for every vehicle and thought I'd ask to see if I should be looking to have it serviced or if it's normal for it not to be ice cold.
Thanks,
Scott
I purchased my 1st truck in January 2013 STX and now that the weather has gotten warmer, I've used the A/C a few times and noticed the air is cool, but not Ice Cold. I've the A/C norms are different for every vehicle and thought I'd ask to see if I should be looking to have it serviced or if it's normal for it not to be ice cold.
Thanks,
Scott
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 7,128
Likes: 1,945
From: Sportsman's Paradise
Hi everyone.
I purchased my 1st truck in January 2013 STX and now that the weather has gotten warmer, I've used the A/C a few times and noticed the air is cool, but not Ice Cold. I've the A/C norms are different for every vehicle and thought I'd ask to see if I should be looking to have it serviced or if it's normal for it not to be ice cold.
Thanks,
Scott
I purchased my 1st truck in January 2013 STX and now that the weather has gotten warmer, I've used the A/C a few times and noticed the air is cool, but not Ice Cold. I've the A/C norms are different for every vehicle and thought I'd ask to see if I should be looking to have it serviced or if it's normal for it not to be ice cold.
Thanks,
Scott
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 314
Condenser leak aside, which seems to be a thing in these years, I remember a couple of other fixes as well:
AC resistor mod:
https://www.f150forum.com/f38/compre...ng-fix-271852/
Heater hose block valve:
https://www.f150forum.com/f38/valve-heater-core-384887/
If I recall, the heat from the heater core tends to get soaked up somehow on the AC side.
AC resistor mod:
https://www.f150forum.com/f38/compre...ng-fix-271852/
Heater hose block valve:
https://www.f150forum.com/f38/valve-heater-core-384887/
If I recall, the heat from the heater core tends to get soaked up somehow on the AC side.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 297
Likes: 6
When using a/c, turn it all the way up on max air. And leave it there for a while. It will get colder. I have a 2013 5.0 with the same trim package and the a/c has always been marginal. It still works the same as when new. Crank it up and don't turn it down for a while. I live in the desert southwest and the a/c will eventually cool the truck off and keep it cool.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 44
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvania
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,475
Likes: 728
From: Calgary Canada
When using a/c, turn it all the way up on max air. And leave it there for a while. It will get colder. I have a 2013 5.0 with the same trim package and the a/c has always been marginal. It still works the same as when new. Crank it up and don't turn it down for a while. I live in the desert southwest and the a/c will eventually cool the truck off and keep it cool.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,933
Likes: 182
IN the driveway, put the air cond on MAX... open the hood on a HOT day and watch the compressor clutch.. It should run almost constantly.. If it runs 10 seconds, then shuts off for 10 or more seconds, your probably low on gas and the low press switch is kicking it off.
being that the truck is 12 years old, i would be a good idea to get the garden hose and WASH the fins on the radiator / cooler to get off any old crud..
being that the truck is 12 years old, i would be a good idea to get the garden hose and WASH the fins on the radiator / cooler to get off any old crud..
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 719
Likes: 92
From: Asheboro, NC
IN the driveway, put the air cond on MAX... open the hood on a HOT day and watch the compressor clutch.. It should run almost constantly.. If it runs 10 seconds, then shuts off for 10 or more seconds, your probably low on gas and the low press switch is kicking it off.
being that the truck is 12 years old, i would be a good idea to get the garden hose and WASH the fins on the radiator / cooler to get off any old crud..
being that the truck is 12 years old, i would be a good idea to get the garden hose and WASH the fins on the radiator / cooler to get off any old crud..
My 2013 STX AC sucks, since new it's barely able to do the job. I keep a couple resistors in the glove box for 'when needed' on exceptionally hot days. It does fine up to about 93 degF but after that it starts declining. At 98 it's pretty dismal.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 52
From: Lawton, Oklahoma
You can replace virtually every component and charge it to exact specifications and it may still be marginal because of the crappy evaporator temperature sensor Ford equipped these with. If you do a forum search for evap temp sensor modifications you can improve performance. I fought this issue for years working for Ford and unless you are prepared to replace the entire evaporator housing assembly just to get a new sensor then you will have to resort to modification to get good and cold AC on hot days. I experimented with various resistors in circuit with the sensor to get mine to work in the 38 degree outlet range without freezing up. Ive run it like that going on my second summer.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 44
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvania
Thank you to everyone for your responses and insights. I purchased the truck on January 22 in Pennsylvania, so it was difficult to know how the A/C was going to be, and of course every vehicle is different.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,475
Likes: 728
From: Calgary Canada
This is a good tip, thanks.
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