Auto Air Conditioning Not Strong Enough

[PrimeFuture]

I live in Houston and Auto 3 is frequently not enough to cool/dehumidify the car. I often have to manually adjust the fan speeds to keep the car at the temperature I want. Come on @Ford Motor Company, make the Auto AC controls better!

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[MachHI]

I'm finding my AC to be pretty buggy, I set the temp for 74 and Auto is on "3" but when I first get in the car no air blows, if anything I feel a soft warm air come out. I have to lower the temp, to get the AC to kick in, then reset it to 74 for it to work as expected. One time I got in the car after running a quick errand and AC stated "OFF" even though I didn't do anything to it 15 min earlier when I got out.
Anyone else?

Well figured out the AC, looks like when I was playing with FordPass remote start it automatically set everything to heat. After changing the remote start settings, E Heat, and adjusting the AC it has consistently worked as expected.
Not sure for certain if that was the cause, it would be weird that the Auto and temp settings didn't over ride the Auto Start heat but at least it blows cold right away now consistently.

 

[BMT1071]

Well figured out the AC, looks like when I was playing with FordPass remote start it automatically set everything to heat. After changing the remote start settings, E Heat, and adjusting the AC it has consistently worked as expected.
Not sure for certain if that was the cause, it would be weird that the Auto and temp settings didn't over ride the Auto Start heat but at least it blows cold right away now consistently.

In the remote start climate settings do you have 'last used' or 'auto' selected?

 

[ThomF]

All my previous vehicles have automatically engage Max A/C until the temperature is within range on a hot day. Hoping this is something that could be fixed with software. It's inconvenient to have to go through the two taps every time I get in my hot Mach-e

I agree. It shouldn't be necessary to enter the HVAC screen to select max cooling. The third press of the Auto setting should bring up MAX.

We are just starting to get hot weather in Wisconsin. Yesterday, after my vehicle sat out in the sun for a couple of hours, it took a long time to cool off--even with maximum AC was initiated. I'm guessing that one of the issues is the sunroof. I placed my hand against it and it was very hot. That entire surface was radiating energy into the vehicle.

I plan on getting a sunshade and also placing a reflective screen. The one from Tesmanian seems highly rated and can be put and in place and removed fairly easily. See: for a YouTube demo of installation, etc.

I'm ordering one and will let folks know whether it significantly reduces the A/C requirements on hot, sunny days.

 

[DaMeatMan]

I live in Phoenix, and we are at the beginning of the hellscape known as summer here. I have noticed lately that starting the car when the cabin has risen to ovenlike temperatures, the A/C doesn't really put in that much effort. Even at Auto "3" the fan does not spin up. I have to manually select Max A/C to get the system cranking. All my previous vehicles have automatically engage Max A/C until the temperature is within range on a hot day. Hoping this is something that could be fixed with software. It's inconvenient to have to go through the two taps every time I get in my hot Mach-e

Not so with my MME. When starting AC on a hot day it ramps up and sounds like a jet engine, and I only ever use Auto and gets cool rather quickly. It ramps down as the cabin cools.

 

[SnBGC]

Not so with my MME. When starting AC on a hot day it ramps up and sounds like a jet engine, and I only ever use Auto and gets cool rather quickly. It ramps down as the cabin cools.

Agree. That is how my car works as well. But, there was a short stretch after an attempted dealer update where it did not work like that. I disconnected the negative 12v battery cable at the chassis ground (to troubleshoot another issue) and then the HVAC functioned normally as before.

With all three Auto climate lights illuminated then the car should activate Max A/C. Exceptions are if you make a phone call, or using the voice commands.....or the car "thinks" you are using those things. Sometimes Android Auto or CarPlay might confuse the car and it thinks those things. To test, turn off Bluetooth and then get in and start your car. If it goes to Max A/C on its own (because you are Auto 3) then AA or CP might be the cause of the issue. I don't use any of those apps normally so my A/C goes to Max right away. I have to wait a minute or two to make phone calls though......and I secretly hope nobody calls me right away either.

 

[ThomF]

Sometimes Android Auto or CarPlay might confuse the car and it thinks those things.

Ah, I was using Android Auto during the trip. I'll test it a bit more and report back. Thanks for the lead.

I do know what you mean about the noise level when the vehicle is running Max A/C, but I've come to expect that in ICE vehicles as well, whenever the interior is overly heated.

I need to get in the habit of opening all windows for a bit, which should help off-set the 'greenhouse' effect. On my EDGE I could do that using the keyfob. Does anyone know if that also works with the Mach-E fob? I know I can use my phone to do so.

One other observation: With my previous vehicles, the AC could be directed right at my face and upper body, and was quite effective. Even with the Mach-e A/C at Max, the air-flow seems pretty tepid. Is that true for everyone?

 

[ThomF]

One other observation: With my previous vehicles, the AC could be directed right at my face and upper body, and was quite effective. Even with the Mach-e A/C at Max, the air-flow seems pretty tepid. Is that true for everyone?

Ah, I just found another posting on this forum that explains:

"There's a manual dial next to each vent to close them off. Make sure those are all open."

All my vents were closed! I didn't realize that there are toggle wheels next to each vent, to close them off. I wonder if all Mach-es are shipped that way. You don't see the arrows, if the wheels are fully closed.

In any case, I greatly appreciate the advice from this forum!

 

[RSH]

Ah, I just found another posting on this forum that explains:

"There's a manual dial next to each vent to close them off. Make sure those are all open."

All my vents were closed! I didn't realize that there are toggle wheels next to each vent, to close them off. I wonder if all Mach-es are shipped that way. You don't see the arrows, if the wheels are fully closed.

In any case, I greatly appreciate the advice from this forum!

I did that last summer when I first got the car. I was sweating and thought the AC was awful, only to find out the vents were all closed. It has happened to several of us.

 

[ThomF]

I did that last summer when I first got the car. I was sweating and thought the AC was awful, only to find out the vents were all closed. It has happened to several of us.

Amazingly, I've had the vehicle for five months now and just discovered this. That says something about the weather this year if Wisconsin, I suppose. Although I must admit to feeling a foolish for missing the obvious!

In my defense:
1. If zero air was coming through the vents, with them in the closed position, I suppose I would have figured it out earlier.
2. Those toggle wheels aren't marked, until they are moved from the closed position.

But, yeah, I'm humbled!

 

[Neil4Real]

Amazingly, I've had the vehicle for five months now and just discovered this. That says something about the weather this year if Wisconsin, I suppose. Although I must admit to feeling a foolish for missing the obvious!

In my defense:
1. If zero air was coming through the vents, with them in the closed position, I suppose I would have figured it out earlier.
2. Those toggle wheels aren't marked, until they are moved from the closed position.

But, yeah, I'm humbled!

Lol, I was just thinking about your 2nd point yesterday. I thought it was dumb that the dial markings are on visible when it’s open… you’d think it would be reverse, especially since it looks better with no markings and most people keep them open.

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