Intermittent Air Conditioning
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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Intermittent Air Conditioning
I have a 2004 Eddie Bauer with 16k miles. The AC control unit has randomly gone dead twice. When I turn off the truck and let it sit for a while (20 min last time) it will come back on and work fine. I took it to the Ford dealer while it was dead so they would see it. They told me however, that if it works when I bring it back they wouldn’t be able to work on it. Has this happened to anyone else and if so, what was the problem? I'm going to Parker AZ this weekend and Phoenix next weekend. I don't want it to be intermittent ar crap out all together when I am there.
Thx
Thx
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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The control unit on the dash goes dead. Nothing is displayed and none of the buttons work. The fan for the rear A/C still works however. The A/C doesn't work, but I can get ourside air to the back. It's worked fine for 2 days now.
New User
Joined: Aug 2005
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Same problem
I've got an 03 TLD 6.0 with 44k. I just bought it in July and mine has done the same thing twice, no digital display no fan or anything. Talked to the dealer and they said they had not heard of this problem, but maybe the ignition switch was not returning to the run position completely. Hope someone has an answer, it's hot!
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2003
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My 2004 EB has done the exact same thing twice. I did a search on the Super Duty board (they have the same problem) and no one had a firm answer on the cause. However, there was a general concensus that it may be related to some type of timer for the interior lights and radio systems. Most people found that turning off the ignition for a minimum of 5 minutes cured the episode, but not the overall problem. I found this info after I spent 30 minutes in a Burger King parking lot, in August, in South Louisiana, in a long sleeve shirt and tie, trying to fix the problem. If anyone has found a definite reason for the problem, and a cure, I'd love to hear it.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 319
Likes: 1
From: Oshawa/Ontario/Canada
I had the same problem recently... quit twice on me. Local dealer couldn't find a fault, so they replaced the unit. Hasn't recurred. I don't think it's timer related as the first time it broke, it was a quick coffee stop ... 2nd time was first start in the morning about a month later. I thought it might be heat related --- both times were in the mid-30's (C).
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 10
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From: Marietta - Metro Atlanta
As in the original post, we have an '04 X Eddie Bauer 6.0L PSD, and this vehicle's 3rd (third!) cabin air control unit (in the dash) "started dying" when headin' out today. As reported: Rear vent subsystem works, sans AC; come back to life a couple of re-starts later...
My ESP covered the first, my deductible was $50 in the 2nd replacement (current unit), and there seems to be no end in sight. Note to self: add to annual maintenance schedule: replace cabin air control unit.
Any recommended approaches to the problem? I only have one so far (mine): pay the $50, and swallow the hassle of takin' it in; so your advice is coveted. Thanks in advance.
On a lighter note, I really miss that original unit, for its slight difference from the 2 replacement units: The "Recirc" setting would persist on that unit, but the replacment units reset Recirc to OFF whenever we shut 'er down. I would forgive 'em, if the original unit was forgetful...
Again, thanks in advance
My ESP covered the first, my deductible was $50 in the 2nd replacement (current unit), and there seems to be no end in sight. Note to self: add to annual maintenance schedule: replace cabin air control unit.
Any recommended approaches to the problem? I only have one so far (mine): pay the $50, and swallow the hassle of takin' it in; so your advice is coveted. Thanks in advance.
On a lighter note, I really miss that original unit, for its slight difference from the 2 replacement units: The "Recirc" setting would persist on that unit, but the replacment units reset Recirc to OFF whenever we shut 'er down. I would forgive 'em, if the original unit was forgetful...
Again, thanks in advance
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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Had the same problem 3 months ago. Truck failed to start, turned off key, started truck, HVAC unit dead. Was a weekend so Ford not open. Did all my running around and after 3 succesful starts, unit came back on. Got back home and was able to recreate same by cycling key at the right speed so the system didn't finish the self-check it goes through every time the ignition is turned on, then resets itself after 3 succesful cycles. Explained this to a Ford tech at the dealer and got the dumb stare like I was on drugs, said that was impossible, so I convinced him to come out and I would demonstrate. Tech could not believe what he was seeing. Said he would look into it and get back to me. Yeah right. And by the way it does not throw a code either. Hope this helps.
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New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 10
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From: Marietta - Metro Atlanta
ExcursionMan - THANKS for the tip about getting the unit to reset following 3 successful cycles. We will give it a try next time the head unit turns up dead. What an interesting solution to stumble upon; I, like the tech, wouldn't have believed it. 
I can't wait to see if it's our workaround, too! Thanks again. Will relay our findings.
I can't wait to see if it's our workaround, too! Thanks again. Will relay our findings.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 319
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From: Oshawa/Ontario/Canada
The queerest thing popped into my head. Maybe this a FORD-wide problem ... This has all happened to me (I've posted above), but this happened to my wife's Taurus (2002, SEL) a couple of weekends ago. The unit is obviously somewhat different (smaller, slightly different assortment of buttons), but it was completely dead. After three cycles, tho, it came back to life.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,839
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From: NC
Is this a big problem with the X's?
I'm hopefully going to be able to buy one this fall and the AC is one of my main issues because I HATE the heat and my current SUV's AC sucks! Actually my main reason for not liking my current vehicle and I HAVE tried to get the AC fixed.
At the same time, I would like to have a reply to a question someone else asked before. Can you make the AC cool better by adding another unit or something?
The X that I tried at one dealership cooled great but after reading two posts here now, I am getting a bit worried about this.
I'll buy with extended warranty but that's not worth a damn if the techs CAN'T fix it!
Thanks
George
I'm hopefully going to be able to buy one this fall and the AC is one of my main issues because I HATE the heat and my current SUV's AC sucks! Actually my main reason for not liking my current vehicle and I HAVE tried to get the AC fixed.
At the same time, I would like to have a reply to a question someone else asked before. Can you make the AC cool better by adding another unit or something?
The X that I tried at one dealership cooled great but after reading two posts here now, I am getting a bit worried about this.
I'll buy with extended warranty but that's not worth a damn if the techs CAN'T fix it!
Thanks
George
New User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1
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From: Wisconsin
I have had this happen approx. 10 times since purchased new in Dec. 03 Have an 04 Limited. Has typically happen when inconvenient to get to shop. I disconnected the negative cables to batteries and it reset. Today the control unit did not turn on and I was able to drive right to shop. After about 2 hrs, I was told that the Climate Control Module needs to be replaced. I had previously had checked out by dealership, but since it is sporadic, al tests had shown nothing wrong. Part on order and hopefully this will resolve.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 209
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From: Cocoa, FL
I had the same thing happen 2 times about 3 weeks ago. Start the Ex get moving and notice the A/C panel is completely dead. I pulled over into a parking lot, shut down truck wait 10 seconds re start and everything works fine. Has not happened since. 05 PSD with auto air. 41K miles. bought new.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa, OK
I've got 101,000 miles on my X. Bought it new. I bet this has happened to me 10 times. However, every time it has "re-booted" after shutting down for about 5 minutes or more. Kind of a pain, but, heh...it is otherwise a great climate control system.