In the owners manual it says to turn the AC switch to the Panel postion before turning the truck off. Why is this? It seems to me like it blows moist air into my system at which time it condensates on the super cool parts and then sits inside my system until I start the truck again. I think I have mold in there now and it smells when I first turn the AC on. Any suggestions other than hanging a pair of scent dice from my rear view?

------------------
May 1999 F-150 4x2 5.4l Lariat

 

The reason for running the air through there is precisely so it will dry everything down before you shut it off. If you've been using the AC for a while let it run on vent for a few minutes right before you get to your destination. That should stop the mold from forming.
If it already smells do a search for the Lysol method of getting rid of that.
good luck!

------------------
1999 Lariat Super Cab, S.B. 5.4L, 3.55 LS
and everything but the leaky slider window.
Bright red w/ gold 2-tone, Leather Captain's Chairs
Mods: Duraliner bedliner, Bugflector II, Hide-a-hooks.
& a leeetle chrome tip on the exhaust.

 

I see where Chris is coming from, after running the a/c the ducts are cold, really cold. Switching to panel lets humid air in that condenses on the inside of the ducts and sits. I received a little book from Ford that had explainations for several features, including placing the controls to the panel position. It mentioned something to the fact of letting the cab "vent" and to make closing the doors easier.

Mine is starting to smell too, I saw a product the other day that you spray into your fresh air intake to get rid of the mold, I may try that.

Chriscbc-Do you know any Calhouns that were stationed at Ft Rucker?

------------------
all4chem@aol.com
Y2K XLT Supercab Flareside, Oxford White, Medium Graphite, Captains Chairs, 6-Disc, 5.4L, 3.55LS, Tow Pkg, Block Heater, Sliding Glass, Remote and Keyless Entry, 5-Spoke Al Wheels, P235/70R-16 OWL Tires, Clear Corner Lenses, Eaglite Plasma Headlights, Al Striker Plates for the rear doors, Oxford White Lund Interceptor, Line-X Liner, and White Faced Gauges.
Ordered: 01-17-00
Built: 02-23-00
Delivered: 03-13-00

 

Well I never had to follow such strict procedures before shutting off any of my other trucks. Never had a problem with smell before.
In fact, the only other vehicle I've been in that had a smell from the ducts was an '85 Camry of my fathers when he used to smoke and it smelled like cat urine to me.
I think the engineers have struck again.

Maybe I'll only have to go three blocks since it isn't as hot here in IL?

I think I'm gonna start just leaving in the max position all of time anyway, I've read somewhere that it isn't as hard on startup as it used to be. The thought behind this is that if I don't ever introduce hot humid air to the cold ducts, no moisture will form in there. Then I won't have to worry if I ran it long enough to dry it out thoroughly.

[This message has been edited by all4chem (edited 08-26-2000).]

 

I usually run my a/c at max because it's hot and humid here. When I park, I just set it to a/c. That opens up the vents to the outside. Haven't had any problems with any odors since I've been doing this.

 

Chriscbc,
I see you are stationed at "Mother Rucker". What do you fly? I went through WOC school in 1991 and was tracked in the UH-60.

------------------
2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, LEV, Superchip, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55 rear, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, Heavy duty shocks, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, factory leather wrapped steering wheel, FORD bedliner, K&N air filter, mar-hyde rubberized undercoating, Modine climate filtration system, Bugflector II, Mobil 1 oil and filter, Build date 7/00
- Factory cab steps on order



[This message has been edited by Dustoff (edited 08-26-2000).]

 

You are not running the vent long enough before shutting the truck off. I found that 4 blocks is about right for drying the vents and causing the least amount of discomfort.



------------------
1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, 2000 "XLT" wheels, 4.10 gears, Auburn LS, Clarion In-dash CD player, Smitty Bilt push bars and nerf bars.

2000 4x2 F150 XLT Reg. Cab LWB- 5.4L, Tow Pkg, 3.55LS, CD player,Remote Keyless Entry, Sliding back glass, Special Appearance Pkg., tinted windows, Line-X bedliner, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, 285/60R16 Goodyear Eagle GT IIs and Prime #155 wheels.

http://members.visualcities.com/NoMo

 

Hey yah...I was at Rucker last year. I tracked UH-60's. I'm in a Dustoff unit also here in my state. Send me an email. Chriscbc@aol.com