EATC question - not the usual one!

[racorcey]

A few months ago, I was a double victim of the dreaded EATC disease - o-rings AND a leaking eatc vacuum manifold (I posted a writeup on the latter item).

Several days ago, I noticed that when I shut off the EATC (I usually do that as I enter my garage), and then started the car the next morning, the EATC had reset itself to some temperature OTHER than what I had set it to just before pushing the Off button.

In experimenting, I found that if I left the EATC on when shutting down the ignition, it would remember the previously set temperature. It is only after shutting off the EATC before turning off the ignition, that it resets to some other temperature.

This afternoon, I went through the self-diagnostic stuff (Off-Floor-Auto), and no codes showed up. I recycled the EATC and igntion several times, but the problem remained. I did something stupid - I ran the temperature setting its full range (60 to 90 deg) several times, and then re-ran the EATC on/off cycling. It seems to have done the trick.

But I don't trust that little experiment. I guess I'll find out over the next several days. This problem has never occured on this car until several days ago.

Has anyone else run into this problem before? And what might you have done to remedy it - other than replace the EATC. I did use the search engine, but couldn't find anything on this specific problem.

Thanks!

[fastblackmerc]

I've never seen that.

I keep mine set at 72 all the time.

[racorcey]

I've never seen that.

I keep mine set at 72 all the time.

Hi Jim.....

There's always a new wrinkle to be found with these cars. That is, if it's electronic in nature, it's bound to go bad eventually. And that's from a long-time electrical engineer. When I got this car, I very reluctantly got an extended warranty - which is not in my nature. Just knowing that it was so highly outfit with electronics, I took a leap of faith in buying the policy. Turns out to have been a great move. Even though it was only for 3 years more than the original warranty, and 75k miles, it's paid for itself over about 2-3 times the cost. 90% of the problems I've had have been all electrical. Mechanically, it's been pretty sound - only a torque converter, and a noisy rear whine.

Ironically enough, when my daughter got a great deal on a used 2006 Fusion 2 years ago, which was a loaded top-end model, I got her a similar Ford policy. What do I find out after buying the policy? The 2006 model has yet to have a single TSB (at the time), nor any recalls to speak of. In fact, several Ford shop managers I know called it one of the most reliable models they ever saw from Ford, and they rarely saw one in the shop for major repairs. Mostly the body shop - for crashes.

As far as 72 goes, you know what they say - different strokes for different folks, or, in this case, my nickname at work and home is "The Polar Bear." :) Take one guess why. Me and The Heat are mortal enemies. So generally, while the sun is shining, my 'stat is set around 67 to 69. And somewhat warmer 'stat temps if I'm driving at night with the AC on.

Another phenomena I've observed - whenever there is a passenger in the front passenger seat, I notice many times that I have to turn the 'stat temperature up slightly...because the system actually gets a tad colder that what I had originally set it for. I presume that the body heat from the passenger, and/or the flow of air is redirectly slightly, and the temperature sensor in the dash reacts a bit differently. Just something I've noticed over time. Heat doesn't seem to be effected the same way, only the AC.

[omarauder]

There's always a new wrinkle to be found with these cars. That is, if it's electronic in nature, it's bound to go bad eventually. And that's from a long-time electrical engineer.


That's most likely due to Ford subcontracting all these modules etc out to third party companies from all over the world, most likely to the lowest bidder. Some places don't have very good quality contol so the same mistakes can make it into many modules, if not all. Notice how everyone seems to have the same problems? Ford should do a better job at auditing their subcontractors...

[racorcey]

That's most likely due to Ford subcontracting all these modules etc out to third party companies from all over the world, most likely to the lowest bidder. Some places don't have very good quality contol so the same mistakes can make it into many modules, if not all. Notice how everyone seems to have the same problems? Ford should do a better job at auditing their subcontractors...

'You mean the accellerated lab testing didn't show up these problems?" (A quote from a test engineer somewhere deep in the Ford's testing labs).

[racorcey]

BTW, an update to my stupid test, described above, to fix the problem. So far, so good, after 5 days. I better write this one up for my manual at home!

[rkk]

On my MM, I believe the setting for the EATC temperature is remembered only in the Auto mode.

Specifically, if I set the temperature to 72 degrees in the Auto mode, and then decide I need it colder, I typically switch from Auto to MAX and then drop the temp down from 72 to 70.

Now if I shut off the EATC which I do just prior to turning the car off, and then upon restart and selecting a mode other than Auto, like MAX again, the temp will display as 72 NOT 70, i.e. it remembered the Auto temp not the MAX temp.

I think it behaved that way since day one.

Does this help?

[omarauder]

'You mean the accellerated lab testing didn't show up these problems?" (A quote from a test engineer somewhere deep in the Ford's testing labs).

I think the customer is the accellerated lab test...

[racorcey]

I think the customer is the accellerated lab test...

I think you hit the nail on the head with that one!!

[racorcey]

On my MM, I believe the setting for the EATC temperature is remembered only in the Auto mode.

Specifically, if I set the temperature to 72 degrees in the Auto mode, and then decide I need it colder, I typically switch from Auto to MAX and then drop the temp down from 72 to 70.

Now if I shut off the EATC which I do just prior to turning the car off, and then upon restart and selecting a mode other than Auto, like MAX again, the temp will display as 72 NOT 70, i.e. it remembered the Auto temp not the MAX temp.

I think it behaved that way since day one.

Does this help?

Thank for your info on this item.....

First, let me say that my stupid fix has been holding up for the last couple of weeks,

Next, I'd have to disagree with you on one item - that the set temperature is only remembered in the "AUTO" mode. Having had two Ford products with the same EATC, I found that the set temperature was remembered in basically any mode, not just the AUTO mode. And my stupid fix seems to have proven that out.

Perhaps you should try my stupid fix above and see if it doesn't solve what you've graciously written above about your findings.