This subject has been discussed on all the F-150 webs--many owners say they are not satisfied ; others are happy. My '04 w/manual a/c will chill down to 45 degs running on highway.This is within specs but not really that cold. Other owners with the auto a/c say that their unit will go to whatever temp they set it at. Of course some say humidity can be the problem, others say humidity has no affect & they get all the cold air they can stand! No one has really determined why some new a/c's work better than others or why there is variation or if there is even "real "problems. Dealers say vent temps on max a/c should be 40-50 degs or possibly 30 degs cooler in the cab than outside at idle. So what's the answer or reason or is your or my a/c working ok or not---nobody seems to know. Why are so many owners complaining? Why is there such a variation in quality and/or performance on F-150 A/C's ????

 

No, the A/C in my FX4 is only sub-par at best. I live in Georgia with heat and humidity. For those of you that think the "new" coolant has something to do with this, did you know that Ford has been using R134 since 1993? I've got a 97 F150 that I will put in a "cooling contest" with any vehicle made in the last 20 years. It's the absolute coldest A/C system I've ever felt. Ford knew how to make an A/C system work back then, why not today? I wouldn't be so upset about this, but this is my 2nd Ford in a row with a lousy A/C system.

 

Um, depends.

In the mornings on the way to work when it's still relatively cool (70-80s) outside, yes, it works great.

In the afternoons when I'm coming home, it gets kinda fuzzy. On MAX with the blower on high, I'll see low-mid 40s at the vent. On the highway with the system on normal and the blower on high, it'll cool to mid-high 50s. Sittin' at idle in traffic on MAX, it'll cool to about 50 degrees or so.

I've checked OASIS for TSBs and SSMs involving poor cooling performance and haven't found any. It's not the refrigerant, contrary to popular belief. I'm gonna tinker with mine whenever I run into a slow day at work.

 

Drove to visit my mother-in-law, truck had been in the garage all day. Outside temp read 112 (in the shade, and that's not some trumped up 'heat index' either). Started with ETAC at 78. Within 5 minutes, I started to get one of the head-freeze headaches and my fingers started to get stiff; had to turn the ETAC up to 82.

Parked outside in direct sun for about 2 hours. When I got back in to drive home, the outside temp was 118 (black asphalt parking lot). Started driving with ETAC at 78. After about 15 minutes, I was getting the Big Chill again and bumped the ETAC to 82 to be able to think straight.

So, the AC can be plenty cold. It's not the R-134 refrigerant.

 

Hot IS hot but AZ, it's dry heat. Seems like most people complaining have been in fairly humid climates, which could be the problem.

 

Well, I got to play with my A/C today at work. Checked pressures...low side seemed kinda high, 50 psi or so, high was up to 240-250ish. Drain, swept, and recharged, found out I was about 8 ounces low on refrigerant. Checked for leaks with my black light, didn't see any. Maybe I got stiffed on refrigerant when mine rolled off the line, I dunno. I vacuumed down for 15 minutes and recharged. It was late tonight when I got it back out on the highway, so I couldn't verify if it's really cooling any better. I'll see tomorrow when I come home from work.

 

I leased an 00 and an 02 and am now on an 04 (same options) and the 04 air is not nearly as cool as the previous models. I guess I am lucky I only have to have it on 3 months of the year.
Not what you would hope for in a "new" truck.

 

Well, I ran mine down the highway today. Ambient temps were about mid 90s, 45% humidity. On MAX with the blower on high and temp set at 60 degrees, I was seeing about 40 degrees at the left center vent at a 65 mph cruise. On normal after about five miles of this, I got about 50-55. I think I can live with that. Mine was definitely undercharged from the factory though, or it's got a really small leak that I can't find right now. Time will tell.

 

90 degrees and muggy here today. It takes a couple of miles of driving and the AC is blowing COLD. Seems to work great to me.

 

Quintin--good feedback from someone who knows how to to service this equipment. Keep us in the know. I have read many testimonials on these F-150 webs about the variation in performance of the new trucks A/Cs..much of it not too good. I just bought a new F-150 this year & my manual A/C runs at about 45 degs on max A/C on the highway, so its within specs but not super cool like others talk about. I'm wondering if the owners of other new Ford vehicles are noticing this variation in A/C performance in their models. I'm also wondering if some of the componets are cheaper this year or maybe sourced from different suppliers, some not as good as others. I guess if anyone knows for sure, it would be a select group at FoMoCo who are in the know!

 

45 degrees is not super cool? How cool IS super cool? I would think if it's 90 degees out, 45 degrees would seem downright cold.

 

Pardon me Wingnut--I guess it's getting close as long as you keep moving (42 degs at the vent is ideal) but when you stop at idle for awhile she warms up in a hurry, which is normal. But then some people think the high 30's is where it should be.

 

My A/C works great, gets plenty cold. I have the (EATC) system and I have the temperature set at 74°. That’s the temperature that seems to be just right, cold enough, but not to cold. The fan speed, airflow location, and MAX A/C is all automatic, ya just set it and fugedaboudit

 

Like Tuff Ford said about his truck 20 posts back, mine is very cold at times and pretty weak at times.

Today I broke out the digital thermometer and stuck the sensor into the vent and went for a ride. Temp about 90 with plenty of humidity. With the system in recirc and fan on 2, the best I saw was 44.2 degrees but it fluctuated by several degrees during constant highway speeds. On my return trip, it struggled to get below 50 under the same conditions. Finally, 15 miles later when I was almost home, I saw 44 again. Interestingly, the lowest reading I got wasn't on the highway, but in line at the bank after idling for a couple of minutes. Go figure.

Summary.........

Mine works pretty well most of the time, but at other times it becomes inexplicably weak. Plus, the airflow fluctuates/surges when the fan is on 2 or higher. This is when I'm sitting still and the system is in recirc. Sounds like wind leaking into the vent, but there isn't any wind! Anyone else have this happening?

 

04 STX regular cab---AC is marginal. Have to keep it on max cold at all times or cabin feels on the warmish side. This is in houston with air temp in 90's and humidity rating not far behind.