AC Unit "Hot!"

[krimestopper]

My Ac started blowing hot and I tried to recharge the AC. However, could not find the low intake valve. Does anyone knows where this valve is on the engine?

[5bird7]

Re: AC Unit "Hot!"

Don't know where it's at but it may not need recharging.
Try resetting the temperature control. Take it all the way to the top (90degrees), hold for a couple of seconds then take it all the way to the bottom (somewhere around 60 degrees) and hold for a couple of seconds then reset the temp to what you normally have it set at.

[Will]

Re: AC Unit "Hot!"

I tried the same technique posted by 5bird7 when my a/c unit blew hot & it didn't correct the problem. Hate to give you the bad news, MM, but I needed a new coolant control valve (ccv) & it was replaced at the local Ford dealer for a mere $400. Others have had the same part fail, so do a search on TBN & read up. One guy even replaced his own ccv, which is beyond my skill level. My Retro is a 2004 model & the ccv failed at about 30,000 to 32,000 miles.

[Jim Young]

Re: AC Unit "Hot!"

maybe this will help
JIm

[ArgonV]

Re: AC Unit "Hot!"

Check the fuse for the AC (It's in the hood fuse box not the trunk. The manual says which one it is). If the fuse is blown chances are it's the coolant control valve that caused the blow. A main cause of this going bad is the electrical plug that goes into the valve. It gets very dirty and grimy and causes a short (It resides near the bottom/underside of the car and dirt and grime collect there). Many dealers will replace the whole unit with the electrical wire instead of just the wire thus costing you more.

[COLP]

Re: AC Unit "Hot!"

Am on vacation in Florida this week and on Monday we had the top up (looked like rain) and turned on the AC. Unit did not seem to cool much. As we headed down US 1, it started cooling down. However, at a red light, it would warm up again. Same symptons all day. So I called the local Ford dealer in Stuart, FL and took it in on Tuesday a.m. They ran all the dianogstics and the sysem checked out OK. The mechanic said that he "burped" the coolant system and added about 1/2 gallon of coolant. Appears that the air bubble in the system was causing the engine to heat up at stops and the computer was shutting down the AC. Because of the way the T-bird temp gage works, never had any indicators that the engine was heating up. Have driven it for a couple days now and the AC is working fine. Would like to compliment the service department of Advantage Ford in Stuart. They took me in first thing and had me out in about 1 and 1/2 hours. Top notch service!

[FUN X 3]

Re: AC Unit "Hot!"

I had the same problem, dealer topped off the coolant, it's all good now.

[RareOldBird]

Re: AC Unit "Hot!"

Okay guys. Our Bird did the same thing as you describe with an added twist. As it was about 95 here in Orlando we decided to forego having the top down & turned on the AC. It started running warm & then as we were headed home the temp chime went off & I looked at the gauge & it was all the way on high. We pulled into the next parking lot & shut it down & I called the dealership. Well to make a long story short we let it cool down for a few minutes put the top down turned off the AC & we got her home which was about 15 miles or so praying all the while that the guage stayed in the middle. It's a little overdue for her 60,000 mile service so we made an appointment for Wednesday our next day off. The honey is already suffering from Bird withdrawal. I'm hoping all it needs is a good burp but knowing us it will be the $400.00 repair plus another $500.00 or so for the regular 60,000 mile service. Kinda reminds me when we took here in for the 40,000 service had new tires brakes etc. & that's when they said 7 of the 8 COPS had failed. See my posts as I related that story. Any way would like any comments & give you all the news on her repair later.

[krimestopper]

Re: AC Unit "Hot!"

Thanks alot...the imfo was greatly appreciated and helpful. Come to find out the intake valve is on the compressor which is located under the vehicle. You must take the drivers side wheel off and a undercarriage bracket to get to it. Ford really made it so you bring it back to the dealer. I guess thats why they say Ford stands for "Fix Or Repair Daily"

[MikeB]

A/C Barely Cool One Side - Warm Air Other Side

Sunday, on the way home from a Thunderbird Show, I had the top up and the A/C on. It was about 93 degrees out. The air coming out of the drivers side vents was just cool not cold (had it set to 60 degrees and it used to freeze me out at that temperature). When I got home I realized I hadn't pushed the "recirculate" button and did this but that did not improve the situation. Next morning tried all the tricks mentioned on other threads (moved digital temperature to 90 for a few seconds and then back down to 60 - did this on both sides driver and passenger); attempted to do the diagnostic testing where you push "off" and "defrost" at the same time and then "auto" within two seconds, etc. to reset actuators, etc. No dice, still had just slightly cool air on drivers side and warm air on passenger side. My wife and I took the car to dinner that afternoon and she was complaining of warm air coming out of the vents on the passenger side; the air on my side was just cool (barely).

I'm taking the car into a Lincoln-Mercury dealer Friday as I don't trust Ford to diagnose/repair problem. What are the differential diagnoses? Could it be the coolant mixing valve (sp?) near the radiator gone bad? (Saw some photos from a member who changed their own). Some kind of actuator blender door internally in the dash? (I hope to hell not!; I DON'T WANT MY DASH TORN OUT!!!). I have the 7 year Premium Extended Warranty from Ford and it expires this coming October 2009. It says it covers this sort of thing; any comments on the Premium Extended Warranty? Will it cover this repair?

Any help will be appreciated!

[ArgonV]

Re: AC Unit "Hot!"

Should cover this repair, no problem. More than likely, the dual climate control valve is stuck and not doing it's job, or you have a cooling leak (Unlikely).

[MikeB]

Re: AC Unit "Hot!"

Should cover this repair, no problem. More than likely, the dual climate control valve is stuck and not doing it's job, or you have a cooling leak (Unlikely).

Thanks Jason! Hope you're right on both counts (dual climate control valve and covered under extended warranty).

[BENK]

Re: AC Unit "Hot!"

I ahave same problem with '02. Let me know if you get an answer. doubt if it needs recharging.

[SR71Blackbird]

Re: AC Unit "Hot!"

Guys I have an 03 and my a/c stopped working, the seal on the compressure is bad. My guy is hunting down a compressure seems every year has a differnt one.
My 03 has only 36k on it and was told that the seal may have dryed out from lack of use. It seems that when the compressure is ran the oil inside lubes the seal thus when the car is stored the sesl dryes out and starts leaking. So all those years of being stored to keep the mileage down shortin the life of my a/c compressure. I wonder what else has been damaged from not being used.

[MikeB]

Re: AC Unit "Hot!"

Guys I have an 03 and my a/c stopped working, the seal on the compressure is bad. My guy is hunting down a compressure seems every year has a differnt one.
My 03 has only 36k on it and was told that the seal may have dryed out from lack of use. It seems that when the compressure is ran the oil inside lubes the seal thus when the car is stored the sesl dryes out and starts leaking. So all those years of being stored to keep the mileage down shortin the life of my a/c compressure. I wonder what else has been damaged from not being used.

Another potential etiology for my problem to discuss with the Service Advisor. Now I have defective dual climate control valve, stuck or defective blender door and coolant leak at compressor due to defective/dried out seal as possible causes.