Climate Control Question

[Dally]

I'm not convinced that the reasoning is right when in LO.

johnb80

 

It wasn't just the feeling of colder air, there was an actual difference it temperature. I measured this with a probe thermometer with both cars at some point and on hotter sunnier days, the air was always several degrees lower on the LO setting.

[johnb80]

Yes it will be because the evaporator is less likely to freeze up and therefore the compressor can keep pumping.

 

On my Scorpio the aircon was not as good as it should have been, some of the guys in the forum did a few experiments and it was the evaporator temp sensor that was switching off the compressor. We added resistors to the circuit and the aircon was transformed beyond all recognition. I had vent temps as low as -6 !

 

Regards - JB

[Guest Cepheus]

I'm backing away from this one now .....

 

I've found out that LO means cold air and am subsequently happy ....

 

Please stop hurting my brain with "sun load sensors" etc ...... :(

 

If I'm hot and it cools me down, and vice versa, then i'm content :ph34r: :(

[johnb80]

Good man, no problemo

[Scorpiorefugee]

Can I jump in on this with another aircon problem?

 

My old S reg blows enough hot or cold air to be used as a hair drier. You can feel the draught of the centre vents in row in the back seats.

 

My fully air con 52 Ghia hardly raises a flutter from a toffee paper held in front of the vent. I cannot believe that this is normal. I queried this with the dealer and the mehanic pressed all of the buttons in no particular order, muttered for a while and said nothing of interest so I gave up.

 

I've tried it in normal and recirculation mode with no change. The fan makes all of the right noises but very little or no air comes out. Very little comes out of the rear vents either but it does seem to keep us warm - eventually

 

Any comments or suggestions which do not involve physical violence towards Ford mechanics would be gratefully received.

 

Ron.

[johnb80]

Are you saying that is has dual climate control or that you have aircon?

[malcolm.dobell]

everyone seems to be thoroughly confused.

 

CC in AUTO has both heating and air con "switched on". Cooled air is heated eonough to give the temperature set on the unit. The cold air is dehumidified, and so reduces the risk if misting up when the outside temperature is cold.

 

If the system is set to HI, then temerature regulation is switched off and you just have all the cooled air heated, and for LO, none of the cooled air is heated. Sunlight sensor may well modify this a bit.

 

Pressing Econ switches off the cooling. On a cold day, if Econ is selected you will feel the air get slightly "warmer/damper"

 

If temperature is blow 5C the air con switches off to protect itself from icing.

 

so, if outside temp above 5C and LO selected you should get a cold blast, but outside temp really has to be above 18/20C for you to be sure the compressor is really working.

 

Be aware that heating is effectively never switched off. There's always hot water circulating through both the front and rear heater units even though airflow over them is switched off. This is one reason why parked cars are sometimes hot when you return to them after a short while even though it's not that sunny!!!!

 

I've learned the hard way over three of these cars: diagnose faults on CC in summer and on auxiliary heater in winter!

[Scorpiorefugee]

John,

 

My old S reg has basic air con and blows a gale of whatever you set it to.

 

My Ghia has that horrible digital panel with Auto temperature control and seperate blowers for front and back. It seems to work perfectly in every respect except it is virtually impossible to detect any air flow, even with the fans on max.

 

I am assuming a jammed control vane or other blockage and also assume that by getting identical results from recirc. that I can eliminate blockage associated with the pollen filter.

 

It is possible that the problem is restricted to the centre and side vents as the screen keeps reasonably clear but I have no means of knowing what is normal. Nor, it seems, did the ford mechanic.

 

 

 

Thanks for your interest.

[johnb80]

Hi,

Mine has the 'horrible digital control panel' and a) I like it, B) it works well !

 

I think you must have a fault, if I select the face level vents on the HDCP (Horrible Digital Control Panel) after a few seconds (vanes moving) I get good airflow either heated or cooled as required. Sounds like you have a dodgy vane / motor or HDCP.

 

Regards - JB

[johnb80]

everyone seems to be thoroughly confused.

 

CC in AUTO has both heating and air con "switched on". Cooled air is heated eonough to give the temperature set on the unit. The cold air is dehumidified, and so reduces the risk if misting up when the outside temperature is cold.

 

If the system is set to HI, then temerature regulation is switched off and you just have all the cooled air heated, and for LO, none of the cooled air is heated. Sunlight sensor may well modify this a bit.

 

Pressing Econ switches off the cooling. On a cold day, if Econ is selected you will feel the air get slightly "warmer/damper"

 

If temperature is blow 5C the air con switches off to protect itself from icing.

 

so, if outside temp above 5C and LO selected you should get a cold blast, but outside temp really has to be above 18/20C for you to be sure the compressor is really working.

 

Be aware that heating is effectively never switched off. There's always hot water circulating through both the front and rear heater units even though airflow over them is switched off. This is one reason why parked cars are sometimes hot when you return to them after a short while even though it's not that sunny!!!!

 

I've learned the hard way over three of these cars: diagnose faults on CC in summer and on auxiliary heater in winter!

I have to disagree with you, when set to high, non of the air is cooled, the compressor is doing little / no work dependent on engine options (petrol have a clutch, diesels have a variable vane).

In winter time the evaporator is used chilled to dehumidify the air, extra heat being added to negate the effects of cooling. Once the humidity has fallen the compressor will shutdown as above.

-Regards - JB

[Scorpiorefugee]

John,

 

Thanks for confirming my thoughts on this.

 

Sorry about the comment about the control panel but I find it annoying to have to grope down below knee level to press a selection of buttons which cannot easily be located without taking your eyes of the road and could be much simplified by the use of electronic analogue controls placed where the cup holders are fitted.

 

However, I do agree that it does work well, even if somewhat slowly in my case. That doesn't excuse the fact that it could be made much safer and intuitive without the fixation that everything should be controlled by fiddly little buttons with the gratuitous but totally unnecessary LCD display.

 

There! I've said my bit. On with the plot.

 

It looks as if I must suffer it or start taking bits off, starting just behind the gearstick, until I can get access to whatever it is that is jammed or broke. It looks like a long summer weekend job.

 

I think that the HDCP (I think that should be accepted as a valid new acronym)

is OK becouse everything I press causes the right sort of change but much reduced in effect.

 

Thanks again for your interestand helpful comments.

 

Ron.

[johnb80]

I agree that the location could be much better BUT I have found with mine a simply don't need to adjust it. It stays pretty much on 21 deg winter and summer. Winter time I get nice warm air, summer time it's nice and cool.

 

Good luck, keep us posted how you get on.

 

Regards - John

[Scorpiorefugee]

Thanks John.

 

It may be a while. No. 1 son has just announced wedding plans - 3 weeks!

 

Aaagghh!

 

Ron.

[mumof4]

congrats to no/1 son..3 weeks eh...must be love!! :ph34r:

[Scorpiorefugee]

Must be mad. :D

 

Thanks anyway. :D

 

P.S.

 

Takes after the ancient one. :D

[johnb80]

A few bits of advice for anyone going down the wedding path:-

 

Three stages of a mans love life:-

1) Tri Weekly

2) Try Weekly

3) Try weakly

 

What three words enter the brides mind when she walks into church?

 

What do they call the pathway in church between the pew?

 

 

 

Aisle

 

 

What do you call the area you walk up to?

 

 

Altar

 

 

What do you call a song sung in church?

 

 

Hymn

 

Aisle - Altar - Hymn

 

 

 

 

 

You should go into marriage with your eyes wide open and then keep them half closed for ever more.

 

 

Final bit of advice, 3 sentences the man should remeber to guarantee a happy marriage, it's worked for me for the last 26 years:-

 

1) You're right

2) I'm wrong

3) I love you.

 

regards - JB

[Bigjeeze]

A few bits of advice for anyone going down the wedding path:-

 

Three stages of a mans love life:-

1) Tri Weekly

2) Try Weekly

3) Try weakly

 

What three words enter the brides mind when she walks into church?

 

What do they call the pathway in church between the pew?

 

 

 

Aisle

 

 

What do you call the area you walk up to?

 

 

Altar

 

 

What do you call a song sung in church?

 

 

Hymn

 

Aisle - Altar - Hymn

 

 

 

 

 

You should go into marriage with your eyes wide open and then keep them half closed for ever more.

 

 

Final bit of advice, 3 sentences the man should remeber to guarantee a happy marriage, it's worked for me for the last 26 years:-

 

1) You're right

2) I'm wrong

3) I love you.

 

regards - JB

 

 

I don't know about sentences but you wouldn't even get 26 years for murder now!!! :D :D

 

Likewise I am in my 27th year and all is rosy (as far as I know!) It's a partnership with two equals (that's waht I tell her indoors anyway) :lol:

[johnb80]

But what stage in a mans love life are you :D

[Scorpiorefugee]

'Ere!

 

I only dropped in to ask about my air con. and I get all these extras! :D :D :D

 

My three words are..

 

"Yes my love."

(repeat with a big silly grin untl peace returns.)

 

It's worked for 36 years. :blink: :blink: :blink:

 

And in reply to the "What do you take me for?

 

"Better or worse my love." :blink: :blink: :blink:

[johnb80]

'Ere!

 

I only dropped in to ask about my air con. and I get all these extras! :blink: :blink: :blink:

 

Whats it got to do with you? ( :blink: ) you only started the thread, we answered all of your questions fully and now we're having a nice social chat and a drink at the virtual bar (by the way its YOUR round).

[Scorpiorefugee]

Right you are!

 

I'll just go and ask permission......

[mumof4]

:blink: :blink: :blink: