For 3 years I have been dealing with an outside air temperature issue that will keep the air conditioner from coming on. This consistently happens in the spring and fall but will happen randomly in the summer as well. It has started happening again as spring has rolled around. My OAT updates first thing in the morning as I pull out of the garage, but when I get to work in the morning, whatever that temperature is at that time, that is the temperature my car will be when I start it up, either at lunch or at the end of the day. It almost always takes 5-7 minutes for the OAT to update and allow my air to kick on, but on occasion, it has taken over 30 minutes.
I have had it to 2 different dealers. 1 made it worse (I picked it up right before a road trip to Florida and my OAT read 40 below!). They ultimately replaced the OAT sensor and it did not help. The other said they have seen the problem before, but cannot replicate it on my vehicle and ultimately they have no idea how to fix it. I have about 1,000 miles before my warranty runs out, but they have assured me they have my account "notated." Yep, I feel better.
Ford still can't (OK, WON'T) fix it, temp does not update. Still no SW updates and no intelligent technicians that know how an AUTO A/C works.
I have 100% proof of how that the problem is OAT update related. I have pictures form the AM park temp and the PM drive off temps. The A/C system does not blow cold air until the OAT updates at vehicle speed.
More trips to the Ford dealer. Getting tired of it. Have no energy to talk to these idiots about this any longer.
No one at Ford seems to care. No easy way to escalate beyond the incompetent boobs at the dealer.
This is such a simple problem to fix.
All I need: A new SW update to the HVAC system that controls OAT updates. One that will auto correct the OAT after key on after a > 2 hour soak. The HVAC engineers at Ford are morons if they can't figure this out.
Ther first time this occured it was summer (July 2013) and it only occurs after soaking in Hot temps > several hours and only after the drive into work was a cooler morning. IN other words - 1st start cool, 2nd start 8 hours later much hotter (> 20F swing). The A/C does not come on but the blower blows HOT air on the passengers until about 5 min later. Then the A/C comes on and the system works fine.
The system should #1 - not blow hot air on the passsengers - period
#2 - turn on the A/C as it is +90F outside.
This wasn't the first occurance and it happens every day.
I took car to Ford dealer - and of course - they found nothing wrong with it. - figures.
I will post again with each following summers events.
I agree with the previous author, it is absolutely the worst a/c that I have ever had. I would take the car back if it weren't a company fleet car. I disagree that is even satisfactory on a cool day. It blows warm most of the time. The 2012 did not have this problem. I have spoken to several of my colleagues that are experiencing the same conditions.
Cooling performs poorly in hot outdoor temperatures (over 90*F) even with Max Air selected. Barely cools at all. Probably the worst a/c unit I have ever known in a car. However, performance in cooler outdoor temperatures (but no higher than 85*F) is satisfactory. Just.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
For 3 years I have been dealing with an outside air temperature issue that will keep the air conditioner from coming on. This consistently happens in the spring and fall but will happen randomly in the summer as well. It has started happening again as spring has rolled around. My OAT updates first thing in the morning as I pull out of the garage, but when I get to work in the morning, whatever that temperature is at that time, that is the temperature my car will be when I start it up, either at lunch or at the end of the day. It almost always takes 5-7 minutes for the OAT to update and allow my air to kick on, but on occasion, it has taken over 30 minutes.
I have had it to 2 different dealers. 1 made it worse (I picked it up right before a road trip to Florida and my OAT read 40 below!). They ultimately replaced the OAT sensor and it did not help. The other said they have seen the problem before, but cannot replicate it on my vehicle and ultimately they have no idea how to fix it. I have about 1,000 miles before my warranty runs out, but they have assured me they have my account "notated." Yep, I feel better.
- Shannon G., Covington, US