Automatic Climate Control Problem

[mrpostman]

I have a 2012 Titanium with the digital automatic climate control. The system was working perfectly since day one until 3 weeks ago when I did not drive the car for 11 days. Usually when I press auto, the fans come on with hesitation (maybe after a minute so the blowing air is not freezing). Now if the vehicle is not driven say the entire weekend, on Monday morning when I press auto I do not get any fans coming on even at full operating temperature. The display on the climate control is on bu even at full operating temperature, no fans are blowing air. To get the fans on, I would have to manually adjust the fan speed. If I press auto after getting the fans on manually, everything works fine. I took the car into the dealer last week and of course they could not repeat the problem since it only happens when the car is not driven for a couple of days. They said everything was fine according to the tests they ran and that the fans will not come on immediately since the air is cold. This I knew. I video taped the problem earlier this week when it occurred to show the dealer when I go in next week. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Any idea what it could be?

[Sponsor]

[e30og]

Originally Posted by mrpostman

I have a 2012 Titanium with the digital automatic climate control. The system was working perfectly since day one until 3 weeks ago when I did not drive the car for 11 days. Usually when I press auto, the fans come on with hesitation (maybe after a minute so the blowing air is not freezing). Now if the vehicle is not driven say the entire weekend, on Monday morning when I press auto I do not get any fans coming on even at full operating temperature. The display on the climate control is on bu even at full operating temperature, no fans are blowing air. To get the fans on, I would have to manually adjust the fan speed. If I press auto after getting the fans on manually, everything works fine. I took the car into the dealer last week and of course they could not repeat the problem since it only happens when the car is not driven for a couple of days. They said everything was fine according to the tests they ran and that the fans will not come on immediately since the air is cold. This I knew. I video taped the problem earlier this week when it occurred to show the dealer when I go in next week. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Any idea what it could be?

try dropping it off for a weekend?

[Just Tom]

I haven't experienced this issue. However recently I've noticed that after pressing the recirc button, shortly thereafter the system turns the recirc off. I'll notice that it's turned off usually when sitting at a stoplight and I begin to smell the exhaust of a the car in front of me. Is this normal? Shouldn't the recirc stay on once it's pressed or does my car have gremlins?

[suss6052]

Originally Posted by Just Tom

I haven't experienced this issue. However recently I've noticed that after pressing the recirc button, shortly thereafter the system turns the recirc off. I'll notice that it's turned off usually when sitting at a stoplight and I begin to smell the exhaust of a the car in front of me. Is this normal? Shouldn't the recirc stay on once it's pressed or does my car have gremlins?

It depends on where you have the rest of the climate control system set to.

On defrost it tends to shut off the recirculation to try and prevent the windshield from fogging up on the inside.

For manual climate control systems:

(Recirculated air): Press to activate/deactivate air recirculation
in the vehicle. Recirculated air may reduce the amount of time needed to
cool down the interior of the vehicle and may also help reduce undesired
odors from reaching the interior of the vehicle. Recirculated air engages
automatically when MAX A/C is selected or can be engaged manually in
any airflow mode except (defrost). Recirculated air may turn off
automatically in all airflow modes except (Panel) and (Panel
and Floor) and when in MAX A/C.

From the 5th edition of the 2012 Ford Focus owners guide, page 113

For the automatic climate control system:

(Recirculated air): Press to activate/deactivate air recirculation in
cabin. Recirculated air may reduce the amount of time to cool down the
interior of the vehicle and may also help reduce undesired odors from
reaching the interior of the vehicle. Recirculated air engages automatically
when MAX A/C is selected or can be engaged manually in any airflow mode
except (defrost). Recirculated air may turn off automatically in all
airflow modes except MAX A/C to reduce fog potential.

Page 117 5th printing of the 2012 Focus owners guide.


If the car thinks it will cause fog it will turn off the re-circulation in all modes except max a/c.

[thirdj]

I've had the same problem as the OP two times since owning my car, while set to auto the fans wont come on(car was fully warmed, first time it happened was in summer). For me though, changing the temp or fan speed did nothing, I found turning the system off an then back on and pushing the auto button corrected the issue for me.

[copernicium112]

Originally Posted by thirdj

....I found turning the system off an then back on and pushing the auto button corrected the issue for me.

Same here. I've had some weird behavior if I have it on auto, make a temporary adjustment, and then try to return it to auto by just hitting the auto button. It never really seems to get 100% back to auto doing this. Turning it completely off and then on again by using the auto button gets it back to normal for me as well though.

[FordCustomerService]

Originally Posted by mrpostman

...Now if the vehicle is not driven say the entire weekend, on Monday morning when I press auto I do not get any fans coming on even at full operating temperature...

Have you called the awesome Ford Canada agents at 1-800-565-3673, mrpostman? If you have, please let me know what they said.

Originally Posted by thirdj

I've had the same problem as the OP two times since owning my car...

Originally Posted by copernicium112

Same here. I've had some weird behavior if I have it on auto...

thirdj & copernicium112,

I’m available to help by sending this up the line to your regional customer service managers. So I can do this, PM me your contact details (please include your full name, VIN, mileage, phone number, and dealer name/state).

Originally Posted by Just Tom

...Shouldn't the recirc stay on once it's pressed or does my car have gremlins?

Originally Posted by suss6052

...From the 5th edition of the 2012 Ford Focus owners guide, page 113...

You probably have gremlins, Just Tom. Don’t leave food in your car overnight or you’ll have a bigger problem on your hands. LOL JK

Seriously though, I see suss6052 already fielded this one (you rock, suss6052!).

I’ll add that you can grab a free digital copy of your Owner Guide here:

http://Owner.Ford.com/servlet/Conten...OwnerGuidePage

Cory

[cuke2u]

Originally Posted by Just Tom

I haven't experienced this issue. However recently I've noticed that after pressing the recirc button, shortly thereafter the system turns the recirc off. I'll notice that it's turned off usually when sitting at a stoplight and I begin to smell the exhaust of a the car in front of me. Is this normal? Shouldn't the recirc stay on once it's pressed or does my car have gremlins?

Hi, fyi in Europe our manual states this:
"When the system is in AUTO mode
and the interior and exterior temperatures
are high, the system automatically selects
recirculated air to maximize cooling of the
interior. When the selected air temperature
is reached, the system automatically selects
outside air."

[TehMark]

Mine takes about 15 minutes to warm up on cold days before the fans kick out air.

[e30og]

Originally Posted by TehMark

Mine takes about 15 minutes to warm up on cold days before the fans kick out air.

damn son thats forever...mine is like 5-6 minutes on the coldest days