AC Control
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 253
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From: Santee, CA
AC Control
I have a new '06 Super Duty. From Day 1 the AC control does not function according to the manual. The Service Departments says everything is fine.
From the far left are: Max AC, AC, Vent, OFF, High/Low Vent, Low Vent, Def/Low, and Defrost. When the **** is at the High/Low Vent or Low Vent position the AC is turned ON. The manuals says these are fresh air vents. The service department said anything to the right of OFF is an AC position. Can anyone clarify if this is true?? If it is, then there is really only one position that does not turn on the AC, the Vent position between OFF and AC.
Thanks.
From the far left are: Max AC, AC, Vent, OFF, High/Low Vent, Low Vent, Def/Low, and Defrost. When the **** is at the High/Low Vent or Low Vent position the AC is turned ON. The manuals says these are fresh air vents. The service department said anything to the right of OFF is an AC position. Can anyone clarify if this is true?? If it is, then there is really only one position that does not turn on the AC, the Vent position between OFF and AC.
Thanks.
New User
Joined: Jul 2006
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I have an 06 F350 and noticed the same operation you describe. I thought the compressor should run only in AC or defrost settings, but my service dept indicated the vent position to the left of "off" is the only position where AC is disabled. Seems this is the way it is designed. I've also found that my windshield sometimes fogs in cold damp weather close to freezing even though defrost is selected. When I asked the dealer about this, they said the AC will not run at temps below 43 to protect the compressor. Does anybody know if this is true?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Jasper, MO
The ambient air temp circulating around and thru your engine needs to be warm enough to effectively retard ice formation on the evaporator, which, should the compressor be allowed to continue running after the Ice has formed would cause the compressor to potentially burn out.
Prevention is the best solution for fogging windows; the least expensive way I know is to use a slightly damp washcloth and a bar of IVORY SOAP. get plenty of soap on the cloth, then get the soap on the window. Allow to dry, then use a DRY towel or cloth to polish the window clear. The surfactants in the soap break the surface tension of water, thus preventing the formation of droplets/FOG. During wet months I would do this every week or two; altho I know it seems a hassle, lok at it as cleanig your window on a regular basis, so you aren't cussing out a dirty window during those "sundown slowdowns" in traffic!
Tom
Prevention is the best solution for fogging windows; the least expensive way I know is to use a slightly damp washcloth and a bar of IVORY SOAP. get plenty of soap on the cloth, then get the soap on the window. Allow to dry, then use a DRY towel or cloth to polish the window clear. The surfactants in the soap break the surface tension of water, thus preventing the formation of droplets/FOG. During wet months I would do this every week or two; altho I know it seems a hassle, lok at it as cleanig your window on a regular basis, so you aren't cussing out a dirty window during those "sundown slowdowns" in traffic!
Tom
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New User
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Thanks for the ivory soap suggestion. I guess I'll have to try it come winter.
I think the ford dealer meant that the AC is programmed to not operate on outside air temps below 43. As far as I know, most vehicles allow the AC to operate in conjunction with the heater to dry the air. This would not seem to cause a problem with the evaporator as long as the air inside the vehicle was well above freezing. Anyway, it seems ford could devise a way of detecting evaporator freeze-up without simply turning the AC off.
We shouldn't have to rely on ivory soap to keep the window of a $40K truck defrosted.
I think the ford dealer meant that the AC is programmed to not operate on outside air temps below 43. As far as I know, most vehicles allow the AC to operate in conjunction with the heater to dry the air. This would not seem to cause a problem with the evaporator as long as the air inside the vehicle was well above freezing. Anyway, it seems ford could devise a way of detecting evaporator freeze-up without simply turning the AC off.
We shouldn't have to rely on ivory soap to keep the window of a $40K truck defrosted.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Jasper, MO
MAYBE we shouldn't, lol... yet I use it in the winter to keep a $90K truck defrosted...
and the same thermocouple that detects the ice is the one that shuts it off at 43 degrees. some things are simply byproducts of our surroundings, like living in heavy rain areas or snow, etc... all add to the moisture content INSIDE the vehicle
and the same thermocouple that detects the ice is the one that shuts it off at 43 degrees. some things are simply byproducts of our surroundings, like living in heavy rain areas or snow, etc... all add to the moisture content INSIDE the vehicle