I've noticed that chilled air comes out of the vents even when the A/C isn't turned on. For example, if I have the temperature select **** turned to Cold and the location **** set to Floor and Panel or just Panel, cold air comes out. I would expect that it wouldn't be cold -- just not heated.

I've also noticed that when I get done driving there is almost always water dripping from underneath the front of the truck. I assumed it was condensation from the A/C.

Is this how your's works?

Jason

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1997 F150 XLT SC 4X4 Short Bed, 4.6L Engine, 4-Speed Automatic, Towing Package, Superchip, K&N FIPK, LEER XL100 Cab-High Canopy

 

Jason,

All settings use the AC except Panel. You can turn the temp control to heat and you are still using the AC. They've changed things since my last Ford, before you had to push in a button to get the AC on. Hope this helps.



------------------
The Truck: 1997 Black F-150 Flareside. Regular Cab ORP and Towing Package
The Mods: K&N Filter, Eurolid Hard Tonneau and Ford Bug Deflector.
The Site:
Triton's 4.6 Liter Web Page
www.mindspring.com/~acbradley/index.html

 

Jason,
I didn't like this "feature", so I put a switch on the dash to override the compressor on signal. Now I can direct air however I want w/o the a/c coming on. With the switch on, it operates like normal.

------------------
98 F150 XLT SC 4.6 4x4 ORP,auto, 3.55 LS, Factory: towing pkg, fogs, steps, slider, remote entry; Hella driving lights, aux backup lights, K&N filter and airbox mod, Rhino lining, Roll-n-lock cover, SuperChip, fog light mod, AC mod, spare tire mount mod

 

Thanks for the info everybody. I guess I should have read the manual.

Doesn't having the a/c compressor on make for worse MPG?

Jason

------------------
1997 F150 XLT SC 4X4 Short Bed, 4.6L Engine, 4-Speed Automatic, Towing Package, Superchip, K&N FIPK, LEER XL100 Cab-High Canopy

 

For more info on this, check out the post "AC, on or off?" in the "General Discussion" area.


------------------
1999 Lariat SuperCab Flareside, Amazon Green with Silver trim, 5.4L, 4x2, 4 wheel disc/ABS, 3.55 limited slip, towing package, fog lamps, sliding rear window, captains chairs, keyless entry with alarm, spray-on bed liner, bug guard, and K&N. http://www.csc.calpoly.edu/~bfriesen/truck.html

 

Pgmr,

What's involved in adding the switch? Is it something an amateur can do?

Jason

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1997 F150 XLT SC 4X4 Short Bed, 4.6L Engine, 4-Speed Automatic, Towing Package, Superchip, K&N FIPK, LEER XL100 Cab-High Canopy


[This message has been edited by jasonh (edited 08-25-1999).]

 

Ambient temp has to be above 50F I believe. A/C comes on to dry air for defogging etc...all explained in your owners manual...if all else fails, read the directions...best thing I ever learned in shop class.

------------------
Red 99.5 Lightning,#0975,Born 5/6/99...Adopted 5/27/99 (UN) SuperChipped (Temporarily I hope)

 

I too dislike the way the Ford climate control systems function. When I had a 96' Cougar I asked the dealer about putting a switch in, and the only answer I got was that they had no idea how to do it.

Pgmr, I am very interested in how you went about putting that switch in. Any assistance you can give us would be greatly appreciated.

I looked in the Haynes manual, and it appears to me that a switch installed inline on the PPL (purple) wire coming out of the function selector switch, would do the job. However I like to be absolutely sure before doing any wire cutting.

------------------
Michael Krieger
99f150@pickupman.com
mkrieger@mailcity.com
99 F-150 XLT Supercab, 4x2, Bright Red/Harvest Gold, 4.2L, Automatic, 3.55LS, 255/70R16 Goodyears, Captains Chairs, Keyless Entry, CD Changer, Tow Package
Accessories: SuperChip, Donnelly Compass Mirror, Lariat Wheelwell Moldings and Bumper Cap, Ford Splash Guards, Bug Shield, Bed Mat, WeatherTech Deflectors, Mobil1 Synthetic Oil
Modifications: Painted Tailgate Handle

[This message has been edited by mkrieger (edited 08-26-1999).]

 

Jason: Yes, if you can drill a hole, cut a wire, solder a couple connections, crimp some connectors, it is fairly easy.

mkrieger: I believe you're right - I think it was the purple wire. I marked it on the schematic in my Haynes manual, but I'm at work and won't be able to verify it until tonight.

I mounted the switch on the bezel that goes over the top and sides of the steering column. I did this since I'd already put a switch for my driving lights and a compass there, plus it's a small piece of plastic that should be fairly cheap to replace if needed.

 

jasonh
actually, it doesn't use the compressor on "Panel" or "Floor", but it will use it on "Panel/Floor" combo, which I hate. My GT controls made more sense, it only used the compressor for the AC and Defroster controls, every thing else was just outside air.

------------------
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 added the A/C switch yesterday morning, and it works . It is the Purple wire from the (Function Selector Switch) that needs to be cut.
I got a nice push button illuminated SPST switch from Radio Shack #275-678. I chose illuminated so that I can see at a glance if the A/C is on or not.
I mounted the switch next to the climate controls, opposite the airbag switch. I used spade connectors so that I can easily take the switch out of the circuit if necessary.
Since I used an illuminated switch a ground connection was necessary. I acquired a ground by connecting to the radio chassis rather than tapping into another wire.
The whole job took about an hour to do, half of this time was spent soldering the connections on the switch.
I hope that this info helps all that are interested.

------------------
Michael Krieger
99f150@pickupman.com
mkrieger@mailcity.com
99 F-150 XLT Supercab, 4x2, Bright Red/Harvest Gold, 4.2L, Automatic, 3.55LS, 255/70R16 Goodyears, Captains Chairs, Keyless Entry, CD Changer, Tow Package
Accessories: SuperChip, Donnelly Compass Mirror, Lariat Wheelwell Moldings and Bumper Cap, Ford Splash Guards, Bug Shield, Bed Mat, WeatherTech Deflectors, Mobil1 Synthetic Oil
Modifications: Painted Tailgate Handle

[This message has been edited by mkrieger (edited 08-29-1999).]

 

Mike,

Congratulations on the AC mod. Sorry I didn't get back re: the wire color - just forgot to remember!

It's nice being able to direct the airflow w/o running the compressor, isn't it?

I guess Detroit thinks Americans are too dumb or lazy to have a seperate button for the compressor....

[This message has been edited by Pgmr (edited 08-30-1999).]

 

Pgmr, Actually this is something that I had wanted to do all summer. Seeing this posting jsut made me decide to go ahead and do it. I'm sure it will be nice having the A/C on/off option, I haven't driven the truck all week. The problem is that every road between my house and work has some form of construction going on right now, therefore I leave the new truck at home and drive the 88 Ranger most all of the time, except when going to the lake.
Glad to see that ther is another person from Indiana on this board. For awhile I thought that I was the only one.

------------------
Michael Krieger
99f150@pickupman.com
mkrieger@mailcity.com
99 F-150 XLT Supercab, 4x2, Bright Red/Harvest Gold, 4.2L, Automatic, 3.55LS, 255/70R16 Goodyears, Captains Chairs, Keyless Entry, CD Changer, Tow Package
Accessories: SuperChip, Donnelly Compass Mirror, Lariat Wheelwell Moldings and Bumper Cap, Ford Splash Guards, Bug Shield, Bed Mat, WeatherTech Deflectors, Mobil1 Synthetic Oil
Modifications: Painted Tailgate Handle, A/C on/off switch

 

Bringing this to the top for a few people that are interested.

------------------
Michael
99f150@pickupman.com
mkrieger@mailcity.com
99 F-150 XLT Supercab, 4x2, Bright Red/Harvest Gold, 4.2L, Automatic, 3.55LS, 255/70R16 Goodyears, Captains Chairs, Keyless Entry, CD Changer, Tow Package

Accessories: SuperChip, Donnelly Compass Mirror, Lariat Wheelwell Moldings and Bumper Cap, Ford Splash Guards, Bug Shield, Bed Mat, WeatherTech Deflectors, Mobil1 Synthetic Oil

Modifications: Painted Tailgate Handle, A/C on/off switch