A/C is Dead!

[jimlam56]

Whilst driving from Columbia to Greenville SC this afternoon my A/C suddenly started blowing hot air. Outside temp was 103 degrees. I took it to a precision tune, they checked out the fuses relays and freon, all ok. The mechanic there thought it might be a computer in the dash that controls the a/c, and stated that he had seen a lot of Panthers with this problem.
He suggested I bring it to a dealership, and there it sits.
Any comments/suggestions are appreciated.
By the way, you do NOT WANT to be in a black car in business attire in 103 degree heat with no A/C!!!!

[empeguser]

Hi there, I know the road you are talking about very well, and it is very hot without a/c. I do have one suggestion, to rule out most of the system, find the compressor clutch wire and connector, disconnect it from the compressor (you don't want to backfeed power into the car) then apply 12v to the clutch itself, if the compressor comes on and cold air comes out of the dash you have just ruled out most of the system. I hope this helps, but since you already have it in the shop they will probably do the test I mentioned.

[fastblackmerc]

Hi there, I know the road you are talking about very well, and it is very hot without a/c. I do have one suggestion, to rule out most of the system, find the compressor clutch wire and connector, disconnect it from the compressor (you don't want to backfeed power into the car) then apply 12v to the clutch itself, if the compressor comes on and cold air comes out of the dash you have just ruled out most of the system. I hope this helps, but since you already have it in the shop they will probably do the test I mentioned.

Jim, If I help in any way, let me know.

[MarauderTJA]

Jim, welcome to the AC is dead club. Not a membership anyone wants:eek:.

[johnjamis]

The computer fails often and is easy to change. It is colocated with the HVAC control unit in the instrument panel. These are expensive at the dealer. Get a used one on EBAY or at a junk yard.

[Aren Jay]

There is always to old fashion AC, it is called roll the window down. I realize it is not very common anymore and even the whole Idea of rolling it down isn't even done any more but surprise suprise it works.

sry.

[jimlam56]

There is always to old fashion AC, it is called roll the window down. I realize it is not very common anymore and even the whole Idea of rolling it down isn't even done any more but surprise suprise it works.

sry.

Have you ever even experienced 103 degree outside temp?
In a suit and tie?
Rolling down the windows doesn't help, pal.
Not sure what your point is...

[whd507]

I have had the dash unit fail in both cars such equipped, and the unit on the firewall fail in 95 degree heat in the 03 Black.

it sucks

[Aren Jay]

In my Mustang 86 Cobra, I had either the vent or the window to roll down. Manual windows too. I used to sit at the lights in such heat looking at the poor saps next to me, also with his windows down.

One such guy was sweating up a storm, I sitting there cool and dry, next to him. He stared at me me and made some weak wave, I pulled my ice pack from under my seat and cooled my neck off. His gum fell out of his mouth.

I had a great laugh.

[wchain]

Did you run a self diagnostics on the EATC Unit?

[ctrlraven]

Did you run a self diagnostics on the EATC Unit?

How do you do that? The dealer that replace my radiator fan assy. said they did it and didn't find a problem and could not get my A/c problem to come up for them where it goes from defroster to floor and will only come out of vents at idle/low throttle cruising until I hit the gas then it goes right back to defroster or floor.

[wchain]

The EATC module self-test will not detect concerns associated with data link messages like engine coolant temperature or vehicle speed signals. A diagnostic tool must be used to retrieve these concerns.
The EATC module self-test will detect concerns in the system control functions and will display hard Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) in addition to intermittent diagnostic trouble codes for concerns that occur during system operation. The vehicle interior temperature should be between 4°-32°C (40-90°F) when carrying out the self-test. If the temperatures are not within the specified ranges, false in-car temperature sensor DTCs will be displayed.
The self-test can be initiated at any time. Normal operation of the system stops when the self-test is activated.
To enter the self-test, press the OFF and FLOOR buttons simultaneously and then press the AUTOMATIC button within two seconds . The display will show a pulse tracer going around the center of the display window. The test may run as long as 30 seconds . Record all DTCs displayed.
If any DTCs appear during the self-test, follow the diagnostics procedure given under ACTION for each DTC given.
If a condition exists but no DTCs appear during the self-test, refer to the Symptom Chart Condition: The EATC System Is Inoperative, Intermittent or Improper Operation. See: Diagnosis By Symptom (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV9813192%7EC35263%7ER0%7 EOD%7EN/0/80851247/83204708/83204709/83204713/34853741/34865608/34866116/99432846)
To exit self-test and retain all intermittent DTCs, push the blue (cooler) button. The control will exit self-test, retain all intermittent diagnostic trouble codes and then turn OFF (display blank).
To exit the self-test and clear all DTCs, press the DEFROST button. The vacuum fluorescent display window will show 888 and all function symbols for one second . Then, the EATC control assembly (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV9813192%7EC35263%7ER0%7 EOD%7EN/0/80851247/83204708/83204709/83204713/34853741/34865608/34865929) will turn OFF (display blank) and all DTCs will be cleared.
Always exit the self-test before powering the system down (system turned OFF).
Intermittent DTCs will be deleted after 80 ignition switch ON cycles after the intermittent condition occurs.

[ctrlraven]

Thanks Wes, I did the test and no codes came up so I'm sure its a vacuum leak now. I'm checking out the Diagnosis By Symptom link now.

[jimlam56]

Did you run a self diagnostics on the EATC Unit?


Turns out the EATC was OK Wes.
It was a bad compressor that send metal particles into other parts of the system.
It's working fine now, after replacing three components: Compressor, accumulator and orifice tube.

But your info is good stuff to remember for the future.

[jimlam56]

The EATC module self-test will not detect concerns associated with data link messages like engine coolant temperature or vehicle speed signals. A diagnostic tool must be used to retrieve these concerns.
The EATC module self-test will detect concerns in the system control functions and will display hard Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) in addition to intermittent diagnostic trouble codes for concerns that occur during system operation. The vehicle interior temperature should be between 4°-32°C (40-90°F) when carrying out the self-test. If the temperatures are not within the specified ranges, false in-car temperature sensor DTCs will be displayed.
The self-test can be initiated at any time. Normal operation of the system stops when the self-test is activated.
To enter the self-test, press the OFF and FLOOR buttons simultaneously and then press the AUTOMATIC button within two seconds . The display will show a pulse tracer going around the center of the display window. The test may run as long as 30 seconds . Record all DTCs displayed.
If any DTCs appear during the self-test, follow the diagnostics procedure given under ACTION for each DTC given.
If a condition exists but no DTCs appear during the self-test, refer to the Symptom Chart Condition: The EATC System Is Inoperative, Intermittent or Improper Operation. See: Diagnosis By Symptom (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV9813192%7EC35263%7ER0%7 EOD%7EN/0/80851247/83204708/83204709/83204713/34853741/34865608/34866116/99432846)
To exit self-test and retain all intermittent DTCs, push the blue (cooler) button. The control will exit self-test, retain all intermittent diagnostic trouble codes and then turn OFF (display blank).
To exit the self-test and clear all DTCs, press the DEFROST button. The vacuum fluorescent display window will show 888 and all function symbols for one second . Then, the EATC control assembly (http://www.alldatadiy.com/alldata/AFI%7EV9813192%7EC35263%7ER0%7 EOD%7EN/0/80851247/83204708/83204709/83204713/34853741/34865608/34865929) will turn OFF (display blank) and all DTCs will be cleared.
Always exit the self-test before powering the system down (system turned OFF).
Intermittent DTCs will be deleted after 80 ignition switch ON cycles after the intermittent condition occurs.

More trouble with the AC. I think it is the EATC since I get a 024 code when I run the test. Can anyone tell me what the code means?

[O's Fan Rich]

More trouble with the AC. I think it is the EATC since I get a 024 code when I run the test. Can anyone tell me what the code means?

Jim... let Matt worry about it....:D

[jimlam56]

He would never let me get away with that Rich; now he wants a warranty!!!
It works fine, now that I cleared the code. Just want to find out what the code means.

[fastblackmerc]

According to the shop manual, EATC 024 is "Blend door short or failure".

[jimlam56]

According to the shop manual, EATC 024 is "Blend door short or failure".

Thanks Jim, that's what I thought. It was clicking during the test. Anyone out there replaced the blend door?

[O's Fan Rich]

He would never let me get away with that Rich; now he wants a warranty!!!
It works fine, now that I cleared the code. Just want to find out what the code means.

Hey if I was closer I'd have bought the CV from him.

Give him a concrete warranty..... as soon as it hits the concrete, the warranty is up!

[BlkRauderMatt]

Hey if I was closer I'd have bought the CV from him.

Give him a concrete warranty..... as soon as it hits the concrete, the warranty is up!


All this talking about me as if I'm not even here....

Geez....... :shake: :P :D

[O's Fan Rich]

All this talking about me as if I'm not even here....

Geez....... :shake: :P :D

Hey... Go to your room, Kid.

[fastblackmerc]

Hey if I was closer I'd have bought the CV from him.

Give him a concrete warranty..... as soon as it hits the concrete, the warranty is up!

No... EOD warranty.... End Of Driveway

[Marauderjack]

Arkansas Warranty......."If it breaks in two, ya get to keep both pieces"!!:eek::cool::D