06 Expedition XLT Air conditioner Problem ...

[ziad_yamin]

I recently bought my first Ford (06 Expedition XLT) and the problem is that whenever I have the A/C on the "Max A/C" setting, I can't control the temperature ... it just blows cold air. Back A/C works fine.

Since this is my first Ford, I am not sure if this is normal or not.

Tomorrow I am taking the car to the dealer for maintenance, but I thought someone may help me with ideas.

Thanks in advance.

- Ziad

 

[AZFlyer]

Hello, and sorry to say, you are in for a disappointment. I have a 2004 Expedition, the third Expedition I've owned (1999 and 2001 models). I was shocked to learn that Ford had changed the design from the earlier models so that one *cannot* adjust the temperature of the A/C when in the "Max A/C" setting. The warm air mixing only can only occur when in the normal, non-recirculating mode. I've been frustrated by the dealer and by Ford for stonewallng me on this.

Since I travel on business a lot, I rent a lot of cars, including Fords, and have, so far, found only the Expedition has this 'feature' in the Max A/C mode. I've rented Ford Escapes, Mercurys, Mustangs, etc. and to a one, they all mix warm air in the Max A/C mode. Every vehicle I've owned since 1966 works as one would want, but not my 2004 Expedition!

I think it is a defective design. For example, to control the cabin temerature you have to have the A/C in the normal, not Max mode. Well, I ran some tests and found that here, in Arizona, when the outside air temperature is above 110°, which is often, the cabin temp goes too high. Then, if you switch to "Max A/C", you freeze yourself out! So it doesn't work!

Next, this past summer, driving through western Idaho, I spent 8 hours driving through forest fire smoke and couldn't switch off the outside air without going to "Max A/C". See above remarks about how you freeze when this is done. So.....

Well, I am confident you can tell from this overly-long message I'm still steamed about this! The Expedition is at the dealer again this very day and I'm giving them one last chance for them and Ford to make it right.

signed---Steamed in Arizona

 

[ziad_yamin]

Hi,

Did the dealer promise you he'll fix it?

I'm asking because you just said that it works the way it does by design.

Before buying the car, I asked the dealer here to try that for me, but unfortunately, he did that on a 06 Explorer with a manual A/C and it worked fine. When I found that there is no separate button for internal air circulation (just like all other "normal" cars), I guessed that all Fords would behave the same. I guess I should have tried the car I intended to buy and should not assume that all Fords will work consistently.

I will see what the dealer would do for me tomorrow.

- Ziad

 

[AZFlyer]

Hello,

Sorry to say, the opposite is true: The dealer checked with Ford and Ford said the design was changed. As you have observed, other Ford models behave differently. So far as I've been able to determine, only the Expedition will not mix warm air in the "Max A/C" mode.

I will be interested to know if the larger forum group has different information.

Anyway, Ford and the Dealer claim this is a design 'feature' to assure maximum cooling as "Max A/C" (in their minds) should. the Ford rep I talked to was a perky sounding young female who was obviously reading from a script.

Sorry I don't have better news.

--tc

 

[ELVATO]

Yep, it happens to me as well on my '03. I have noticed, though, that putting it in Max AC with the temp gauge all the way to the hot end wont turn on the the thing that passes the freon(whatever its called), therefore it's just a (very) tiny bit warmer.

To make matters worse, recently, when the climate control is on Max AC and the fan speed is on 1, it will not blow any air. I have to set it on 2, therefore freezing my butt off if I dont regulate the AC myself (turning it on, then off, then back on, etc...) If set to just "AC", the fan speed on 1 works just fine, but alas, "AC" doesnt cut it in Florida heat, and I dont want to turn on the cooling of outside air. I guess that's why I just ride with the windows down

 

[ziad_yamin]

Hello guys,

Just an update on the issue !

The Ford dealer called me saying that the A/C behaves normal. They checked several other similar cars and this is what they found. Also, they claimed that each car has got its own specifications ! (believe that??)

Now, as a first-time owner of a Ford, I do not know what is so "normal" about the A/C. I started to believe that A/C to Ford is equivallent to rocket science !

When I got in touch with Ford Customer Service, they asked me to contact the dealer. Dealer says he is in touch with them, but what I am experiencing is "Normal".

I do not understand what is so normal about the A/C when:
1. The manual says that in the Max A/C the Temperature button of the Auxiliary Controls will not function (page 91), while it does on my car.

2. If I set the A/C on the "face" mode (ie outside air), the temp control on the dashboard still functions regardless of the A/C being on or off (the small rounded button with the orange light). This is not mentioned in the user manual on page 83.

3. I can't use the Max A/C setting with temp control set on warm air setting, if in winter I wanted to prevent smells, fumes .. etc, and at the same time keep the car warm.


I am wondering if Ford can't get the A/C right? Why the deviations (sometimes from one year to another - Example: 2005 Ford Explorer allows internal air circulation as a separate control, while the 2006 Explorer does not allow that!, and the 2007 Expedition got it right .. can't wait to see the 2008).

I wonder if some Ford engineer or customer support gets into forums or even asks for reports from their customer support .. just to know what the customer wants .. Marketing 101 !!

Can anybody help in making our voice heard in Ford ! ..


Regards
- Ziad

 

[ELVATO]

I noticed that my dad's 96 F150 does the same thing, but my parents' F250 allows the temp to be controlled on Max A/C.