A/C is basically always on, what the hell?
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
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A/C is basically always on, what the hell?
I hate the automatic climate control in this thing.
So last night it was about 60F and it was somewhat cool inside my truck, windows down, in the echoey drivethru, I turned my climate control on at 75F several times. The A/C compressor clutch cycled on every time.
Is there an explanation for this, or are the Ford engineers just stupid? It should be calling for heat, not A/C. The truck was warmed up too. Unless it's acting as a reversing heat pump or something bizarre like that that. Based on my HVAC controls experience, I suspect the former to be the case.
I find myself turning it on and hitting 10 buttons just to get it set to where I want in manual mode in heat or vent. I don't want my A/C running all the time, gas mileage is bad enough.
So last night it was about 60F and it was somewhat cool inside my truck, windows down, in the echoey drivethru, I turned my climate control on at 75F several times. The A/C compressor clutch cycled on every time.
Is there an explanation for this, or are the Ford engineers just stupid? It should be calling for heat, not A/C. The truck was warmed up too. Unless it's acting as a reversing heat pump or something bizarre like that that. Based on my HVAC controls experience, I suspect the former to be the case.
I find myself turning it on and hitting 10 buttons just to get it set to where I want in manual mode in heat or vent. I don't want my A/C running all the time, gas mileage is bad enough.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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Your climate control cycles between heat and AC to keep the set point at the setpoint.. It's much more accurate since you dial in the temp you want. If you had the hot to cold temp setting type it is just not as accurate.
BTW be glad it does it, the AC cycling will keep the humidity down and prevent window fog!
This is common on all makes of climate control systems.
BTW be glad it does it, the AC cycling will keep the humidity down and prevent window fog!
This is common on all makes of climate control systems.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,117
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From: Over Yonder, MN
Yep, it’s humidity control. I think they should include a humidity sensor to better regulate this with these fancy electronic controls, but that cost money. I think they should have incorporated away to manually control the temp too basically exactly like manual controls. I have a tendency in winter to drive around with the window down and heat on full blast, but this thing just gets confused and constantly changes temperature.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 43
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From: Raleigh, NC
Yep...that's how it works. I have automatice climate control on my Mazda 6. I ALWAYS put it in manual mode. I specifically did not get the ACC on my truck because of my experience with it in the Mazda.
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Senior User
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Thanks for the info.
Here in CA, controls like that are banned in residential and commercial HVAC because of the waste of energy, but it should be capable of keeping a tight temperature.
Yet it fails to do that. Seems as if the temp feedback sensor is in a crappy spot, it should be in the driver's headrest or something.
If you want heat fast getting in on a cold day, you have to use the vent mode and point the ducts at you, instead of waiting for it to heat it from the floor up. Then when you get in after work and it calls for a/c, the fan roars up trying to cool it off quickly and lifts the eyelids off your eyeballs.
My 69 and 85 cars with manual heat/ac keep me much more comfortable and are faster/easier to use.
Here in CA, controls like that are banned in residential and commercial HVAC because of the waste of energy, but it should be capable of keeping a tight temperature.
Yet it fails to do that. Seems as if the temp feedback sensor is in a crappy spot, it should be in the driver's headrest or something.
If you want heat fast getting in on a cold day, you have to use the vent mode and point the ducts at you, instead of waiting for it to heat it from the floor up. Then when you get in after work and it calls for a/c, the fan roars up trying to cool it off quickly and lifts the eyelids off your eyeballs.
My 69 and 85 cars with manual heat/ac keep me much more comfortable and are faster/easier to use.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: North Carolina
All Ford vehicles from about 85-present run the AC clutch in AC, DEF, and some of the vent modes. Ranger, Taurus, Expedition, F-Series... ect. It doesn't matter if it's ECT or manual, it still runs. I kind of like mine... all I have to do is bump the temp 2 deg either way to be comfortable. If it's too cold then 2 deg will shut it down. If it's too hot 2 deg will cool it off. If I have the windows open then the climate control is off. That just makes sense
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Northern California
Coaster,
When I bought my Lariat I complained about this to the salesman. They showed me that if you select one on the vent functions instead of Auto then adjust the temp settings (do not touch the fan speed) it works the same way without running the AC. It even automatically speeds up and slows the fan like the auto button. If you select a vent setting then chose a fan speed that disables the auto function and goes to manual. Try it.
When I bought my Lariat I complained about this to the salesman. They showed me that if you select one on the vent functions instead of Auto then adjust the temp settings (do not touch the fan speed) it works the same way without running the AC. It even automatically speeds up and slows the fan like the auto button. If you select a vent setting then chose a fan speed that disables the auto function and goes to manual. Try it.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 543
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From: Northern VA
Anyone know how easy a swap would be with the auto climate control from a lariat into my 05 FX4? Could I just swap the dash control or would I need to swap more parts?
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Marion, VA
Originally Posted by BlueRidge
Coaster,
When I bought my Lariat I complained about this to the salesman. They showed me that if you select one on the vent functions instead of Auto then adjust the temp settings (do not touch the fan speed) it works the same way without running the AC. It even automatically speeds up and slows the fan like the auto button. If you select a vent setting then chose a fan speed that disables the auto function and goes to manual. Try it.
When I bought my Lariat I complained about this to the salesman. They showed me that if you select one on the vent functions instead of Auto then adjust the temp settings (do not touch the fan speed) it works the same way without running the AC. It even automatically speeds up and slows the fan like the auto button. If you select a vent setting then chose a fan speed that disables the auto function and goes to manual. Try it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 5
From: Lorain County, Ohio
One thing to remember about having the compressor running in the winter is that the extra fuel usage is minimal. With the CCOT AC system, the system pressures drop with the temperature as does the actual on-time of the compressor. Below about 40 degrees, the sompressor rarely engages.
Many folks disconnect the compressor clutch thinking that they will save fuel. The bit of extra time spent in open loop on cold days easily overshadows any savings from disabling the compressor. At low temps, the AC system just isn't working very hard at all because it's removing very little heat.
Many folks disconnect the compressor clutch thinking that they will save fuel. The bit of extra time spent in open loop on cold days easily overshadows any savings from disabling the compressor. At low temps, the AC system just isn't working very hard at all because it's removing very little heat.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,511
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From: Marion, VA
Originally Posted by lsrx101
One thing to remember about having the compressor running in the winter is that the extra fuel usage is minimal. With the CCOT AC system, the system pressures drop with the temperature as does the actual on-time of the compressor. Below about 40 degrees, the sompressor rarely engages.
Many folks disconnect the compressor clutch thinking that they will save fuel. The bit of extra time spent in open loop on cold days easily overshadows any savings from disabling the compressor. At low temps, the AC system just isn't working very hard at all because it's removing very little heat.
Many folks disconnect the compressor clutch thinking that they will save fuel. The bit of extra time spent in open loop on cold days easily overshadows any savings from disabling the compressor. At low temps, the AC system just isn't working very hard at all because it's removing very little heat.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 5
From: Lorain County, Ohio
Originally Posted by Mystic_Cobra
Anyone know how easy a swap would be with the auto climate control from a lariat into my 05 FX4? Could I just swap the dash control or would I need to swap more parts?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
Originally Posted by lsrx101
You would need the complete system from a donor. I suspect there are wiring differences in the main dash harness, but with the right parts it "may" be plug and play. It would be much more than swapping the controls though.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 5
From: Lorain County, Ohio
Originally Posted by Mystic_Cobra
I don't like the idea THAT much. I was hoping that they maybe used the same wiring harness/heater box for both trim levels.
