Electronic Automatic Temperature Control System

[kressler]

I've got a 2003 Taurus with the electronic automatic temperature control system. Does anyone understand a way that just cooler outside air can be used for cooling without simultaneousy having the A/C run? I see nothing in the manual. I also find that the A/C compressor cycles when the system should be in the heating mode which defeats the purpose.
In my 1998 Sable with what I think is the same eatc system, as long as you ran the system in anything but automatic or defrost, the A/C compressor didn't cycle.

[shorod]

I guess I'm not positive on the 2003, but if you select the automatic mode, then press "Vent" it may still control the blend door and blower fan, but turn off the A/C compressor.

On my wife's 2002 and my 2004 Lincoln LS, if you do the above, or press the "A/C" button instead of the "Vent" button, the A/C compressor does not run. Your 2003 falls between those model years, so maybe it will function the same.

-Rod

[kressler]

Thanks but my 2003 Taurus doesn't have a vent button like my 1998 Sable. There is now a button that projects the air upwards like the the vent button but it doesn't stop the A/C from cycling. The only A/C button is for max A/C which closes the outside air and runs the A/C.

[Huney1]

My 03 is regular manual controlled and I have a Vent position. If yours doesn't that's wierd because it gets hot in SC and when we get out of the car we always put it on vent so with windows cracked just a leetle bit it allows the car to "breathe" inside.

"I also find that the A/C compressor cycles when the system should be in the heating mode which defeats the purpose." It cycles for two reasons I know of; 1. The AC extracts moisture which keeps the air inside less humid and the air feels warmer to your body than humid air. 2. Helps prevent moisture condensing inside on the windows.

Let me share this with you. Let's say you live down South and it get 100F and it costs $5.00 to run your AC all day, then at night when it cools off outside it costs you only $2.00 to run it all night. (Don't take the numbers as fact, just trying to make a point here.) Reason is because the hotter it is the harder the compressor has to work and the more electricity is needed to run it. It cools off and the compressor doesn't work as hard so takes less electricity to run it plus it doesn't cycle on and off as often. Same applies to your car where the hotter it is the harder it is to turn the compressor, so it takes more HP in the heat of the day than in the cool of the evening plus it cycles on and off less.

Have you read the owners manual re AC, heat and vent controls? Had quite a few vehicles in my day and never had one that didn't have a way to vent or use outside air to run through the AC.

[shorod]

Originally Posted by kressler

Thanks but my 2003 Taurus doesn't have a vent button like my 1998 Sable. There is now a button that projects the air upwards like the the vent button but it doesn't stop the A/C from cycling. The only A/C button is for max A/C which closes the outside air and runs the A/C.

Have you tried just pressing the buttons for the desired duct position? Does that turn off the compressor or not?

-Rod

[umina]

Let me help shed some light on this. I've got the EATC on my '01, and the way to get control of the AC coming on and off as it pleases, is to NOT USE ANY AUTO SETTING, avoid the AUTO button at all costs! Just press the button to the far right (before the max AC button) for vent, then toggle the temp. down to 60, this will not allow the AC to turn on unless you a. press the auto button, or b. press the Max Air button. If Max air is on, and you want to turn off the AC, just press the vent button again, which will disengage the AC and put you back into manual mode. I prefer to manually control the heat and cold, so I can prevent excessive wear and tear on the AC components.

The AC will ALWAYS turn on when you toggle the Defrost, this is just the nature of the beast, will be for any car out there. And it doesn't matter if heat or cool is selected.