Some A/C Issues Require You to Think Outside the Box!

[@seanpeloza326]

Great diagnostic skills. Who would have thought the instrument cluster would prevent the AC from working. Learn something new with every video.

[@robertrocheville7769]

I would. But I'm a Honda tech.

[@Alex-px2mb]

@T.J. Kong The "netwerk" in the car is designed to have MINIMAL redundancy and MAXIMUM failure.

[@mateodiaz109]

Hmmm

[@mattuschyuri]

Older transit vans are the same... bloody stupid.

[@universityoftruth2]

Best FORD guy on You Tube!

[@thatoneguy9122]

100% I've learned so much from this guy

[@billi1643]

This is why when I need professional work done I my truck, I take the drive to his shop! This guy does great work!

[@walterk1221]

If you are within driving distance I envy you! However, since I am a Dodge/Chrysler/Ram guy, I would need to drive to Atlanta to find David Pike. Brian is the Ford-master, David is the Mopar-master.

[@joevignolor4u949]

I used to work on aviation electronics in the Air Force back in the 1970's and 1980's. These vehicles are beginning to approach the level of sophistication that I saw on military aircraft back then and may even be exceeding it.

[@dadgarage7966]

Maybe Ford could build aircraft as good as this Explorer.

[@Анатолий-ъ4в2ч]

Форд строил отличные самолеты !

[@johnoverly3407]

It's a simple fix, because you have experience. You downplay your knowledge. I appreciate your channel.

[@walterk1221]

The fix is simple but knowing how to unravel the mystery is where knowledge and familiarity are vital. Greatest respect for Brian!

[@ronaldsinclair6837]

There's no substitute for knowledge and a nice gesture. Great job brother.

[@ferminsalas9772]

Great job Brian. Wish you lived in AZ. I would pay you to maintain my vehicles all day long. Your genuine care and honesty is what dealerships need more of. Love your videos!

[@stephenmoxley3004]

Another great case study, Brian. This highlights the importance of doing a complete network scan on the strange problems.

[@djangodave3953]

Oh man you are one of a kind . I wish I had access to a mechanic with your knowledge and experience. Your #1

[@dr7477]

I've been watching your videos for years. When I watch your videos, it makes me wanna work on my truck. This is the first video that turned me off from wanting to work on my truck.

[@bobspreng611]

South Main Auto - Eric O gave you a shout out and surprisingly he was working on an instrument cluster issue. Great video.

[@davevincent5024]

Awesome of you to help out one of your fellow local shops, kudos to you, like you mentioned, they probably made a valiant effort to diagnose this correctly but lacked your Ford specific knowledge, you could have made a buck or two on this but you did right by your fellow technicians, thank you

[@mike325ci]

As they say, it may have been a 5-minute job, but it took your 20 or however many years of experience to be able to think like you did and figure it out. Brilliant diagnosis!

[@woolval52]

Wow, your diagnostic skills are superb! LOL, which is what everyone here is saying... It took you longer to show us how you diagnosed it than the time you spent to actually fix it. You must have some respect for the mechanic who brought this to you, no charge is generous. I'm simply amazed at how you worked thru the problem to find the fix. Don't short-change yourself and the knowledge you have, you really are a unique person!

[@rays7437]

Good catch. It's crazy how much programming affects everything. We see this issue from time to time at the shop. The last one was almost exactly the same situation as your case here.

[@guadalupeguajardo8668]

Just thinking out of the box. This is the best of people who really loves his job. And knows the system of any ccar.Trouble shoot again find the problem. Great people with knowledge.

[@jerodkenoyer270]

You are a good human sir! I have myself a great mechanic here in northern California but I sure wish I had someone like you who specialized in Fords. With 267000 miles on the original motor at some point it's gonna need a new one. I've already done the transmission. I plan on looking into the cost of shipping to you to have done. Thank you for the videos that you put out always looking forward to them.

[@jamesplotkin4674]

You're a good man. Brian, to help out another shop and not beat them over the head for missing this. Now, write up the exhaust leak and the hood struts ;-)

[@D2O2]

Yes, stumbled across this playing around with cluster as built data. Forscan can program as built!. Great explanation!

[@Overit66]

This guy is the Ford GOAT

[@vinces8974]

So great of you not to charge for the fix, I’m sure you will have a customer for life now, but wow What a convoluted way to turn the air conditioning on lol ,great video keep them coming

[@WreckDiver99]

Brian...we had a good one. Key on no crank on a 2016 Expedition. LAUNDRY list of issues. AC not working properly, locks, running boards, Sync, all kinds of strange electrical problems. FINALLY got it to the dealer with a two page "This is what we're seeing", and immediately the guy is "YIKES, Sure does look like a PCM, but if I start doing diags on all of this, you're going to run up a couple grand in repairs, let me get my guys on it on Monday". Monday comes around, get a call..."New battery". We were "But it checked out GOOD a month ago when it was checked during an oil change at your place. He said "Original battery...6 years old...at that point they are day-to-day. Popped a battery in it, and done. Glad the dealership didn't take us for a ride, they could have.

[@zapcity8992]

Good for that shop getting with you and not just putting some type of Band-Aid on it and give it back to the customer

[@MarioDallaRiva]

Brian, that’s why: You da Man! 💪🏼👍🏼

[@coyotekelly7143]

Very good explanation. This definitely would have thrown me for a loop as well.

[@JaySosaNY]

I just started working at ford about 2 weeks in no where near as good as some of you guys give me some time I’ll get there probably never as good as you guys that have been working on these for 20-30 years but my shop lets me touch just about everything so it will help me advance

[@lh98]

Technology screwing customers yet again... this would be a $1500 “problem” at the dealership. Thankfully some humans like this man Brian have skills and a heart. Edit: at end of video dude said “5 min fix he’s been through the wringer I’m not going to charge him” ❤️ 🤩

[@gonzgarr1592]

when it comes to fords you are the best

[@mikechiodetti4482]

Follow the signal (power) flow from the A/C panel to the compressor clutch. Service information can show that. I once had a F550 that had its backup lights (and alarm) come on while in drive or park. With my DMM on the output wire at the PCM that went to the B/UP relay in the fuse/relay box and my old Fluke scope monitoring the signal from the transmission to the PCM, I ran the truck in park. It took a while, but suddenly there it was. The transmission signal was rock solid, but the PCM output signal was going on and off erratically showing in the DMM'S display. That's when I said "I got ya!" One Ford reman PCM and life was good in F550 land. Ya gotta love those intermittent and non intermittent problems going through multiple modules. Good one Brian!

[@jodycalhoun6319]

I had to have the exact some thing done to my 2003 Explorer. Took three shops to do it.

[@29auto30]

WOW! would have never even thought about that. THANKS!

[@markcollins457]

Gotta laugh, who would have ever thought that a Ford has exhaust leak usually around the manifold. I appreciate the diagnosis I did something similar and did not come up with an answer THANK YOU.

[@jwelchon2416]

The instrument cluster!! That never would have occurred to me!!

[@lafedean]

And that my friends is why FordTechMakuloco! Nice job Brian!

[@franksgarage8551]

And my customers wonder why im losing interest in dealing with the newer stuff. Its leaving me behind,hard to keep up with the advancements. In this case i dont have the equipment to deal with programming clusters. The world needs more of you guys,as us older ones step back. Im going back to rebuilding carbs and distributors…

[@royalblood2405]

Because boomers are mostly incompetent and couldn't be bothered to learn anything new or think hard, story of a lazy; honestly worthless generation.

[@Twobarpsi]

Same

[@KEN-du2iz]

Sending my 16 expo to the dealer tomorrow. Pressures are in spec but can't get better than 58 out the vents. Too hot down here in a black vehicle for 58 degree air. Fingers crossed it's a simple fix. As always, great video thank you.

[@FernandoRojas-xs3dc]

Great scanner for diagnostic tool you are a PRO. Can other scanner tool do the same? read A/C Componens? and reprograming the IC? you got this easy with the IDS for Ford. It's quite expensive for DIY.

[@raanburd5553]

I would never have gotten that,and would have just gone without. Good job!!.

[@maverick12916]

I have run into this several times. Cluster disables the ac. Nice vid bro.

[@knightwizaed6921]

I won't trust anyone else but you, amazing skills, new follower I watch all your stuff now, I got a 2012 Ford escape xlt so I'm learning all I can. Thank you

[@davidg3044]

Thank you for the explanation! Sometimes the wiring diagrams are a bit confusing but this gives me a very specific approach to ensure I'm not discounting something simple but crucial!

[@marks93cobra]

It's cool that you didn't charge the guy, but I still would have thrown you something if that was me (and maybe this person did) !

[@NickMyers1]

I recently bought a 2003 Lincoln Town Car - weak AC. Also leaking coolant from the intake. Installed a new Ford intake manifold. Compressor sounded like marbels in a food processer. Orfice was plugged with metal. Replace complete AC system using Ford parts. Replace intake manifold - now I had no compressor engagement. Nada. Used my Autel - couldn't even engage the clutch. Command was sent but not working. After an hour of tracing and verifying wiring integrity, I was led to G106 - a ground. One lousy ground with an insulated eyelit that snaps over the stud on top of a bolt on the valve cover - I had snapped it on stud of a fuel rail hold down bolt - dumb. Moved it over, Compressor fired to life, and all is well. You really did have to think outside the box on this diagnosis - even service data was missing the data flow from button to compressor. Nice to have that background knowledge...

[@joevignolor4u949]

On a modern vehicle ground in one place might not be the same as ground somewhere else. There can be small levels of resistance or inductive reactance between one ground and another. This can result in different voltage levels being present at different grounds especially if there are large amounts of current going from a source to a load through the intervening engine or body structure. I just did a big job on my Lexus and was very careful to put all the ground wires back exactly where they originally were and I didn't have any problems afterwards.

[@sergiodjf]

Very well explained! You are the Sherlock Holmes of Ford vehicles💯👏🕵🏻‍♂️

[@jaxsonhugh9334]

I wish I was as good at my job as you are at yours 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@flashchrome640]

This is crazy! I wouldn't have thought of that. Great job!

[@audiophileman7047]

Great video! I didn't realize that so many systems need to be communicating, but it makes sense on these computer module controlled vehicles. If you have more modules, it seems like you have a greater chance of something going wrong. 😜

[@pavel11sg]

I would bring my ford to your shop for maintenance if I could, every time it need it, definitely! Great job and great skills, big like for professional👍🏻

[@jeremyrbegay]

I had this exact same thing happen years ago. I remember looking through Ford hotline archive. It was recommend to reprogram the IC.

[@jerryrounds8586]

Could we clone you and send them throughout the US. I'm always so impressed at his diagnostic ability. Great video.

[@Twobarpsi]

Send one my way!

[@garyhall8308]

Loved the video. never ran into this problem but good to know. hey also loved the vice-grips on the hood strut typical Ford issue. Customers will never replace them.

[@FordTechMakuloco]

I am not getting cracked in the head no way.

[@garystanton1483]

I have a 2008 Explorer with automatic temp control. The outside air temp sensor suddenly failed for unknown reasons. I watched the temp reading on the dash go from 85 to -20. When it was a low temp, the A/C turned off and heater came on even though outside temperature was about 85 degrees. Replacing the sensor solved the problem.

[@advorsky1]

It’s nice that you’re not charging but there’s no replacement for knowledge and you sir should be charging for your Knowledge! You worked on my sons F-150 and seeing your videos I trust only three people to work on my cars my mechanic/friend here in Kansas City, me and you! I only drive fords as do all of my family and I would drive to IL to have you work on my cars!

[@richardgerome4897]

This is why I used to interrogate my customers with a bunch of questions even if they didn’t make any sense. If they told me that the instrument cluster was replaced and that’s when the A/C problems started I would figure that the problem was there. But if that was replaced in the winter then that’s a different story… I personally think the auto industry depends way too much on computer controls for everything too… This is when old school was better…

[@cheapers1952]

I believe your first name is Brian from looking at past stuff I'm so happy to see that there are some newer technicians that take the time and do their homework to understand what they're dealing with

[@metalillness5951]

Thank you for sharing again! I'm still unclear on the AC Clutch Allow being a NO on the scan tool. Not being critical, truly wish to know your thoughts on just accepting that that is the scanner response and thinking it bears no further investigation as to why? Those are things that keep me up and night. I'm all about "it works now", but often must dig further. Your thoughts?

[@xoi7803]

That's why you're the Ford Guru :)

[@shadymaint1]

Had a newer f150 comebin the shop with no AC. After some poking around I found a broken wire going to the grill shutter. Fixed the wire and AC worked like normal.

[@rickgaine3476]

I have a 1965 Ford Mustang. The air conditioning works just fine, and it has absolutely nothing to do with a cluster. Computers do not belong in cars. I’ve said this many times before and I stand by my statement.

[@FordTechMakuloco]

ok

[@joevignolor4u949]

Your 1965 Ford Mustang didn't have emissions and mileage requirement to deal with. That was the primary reason they had to get rid of carburetors and move on to electronic ignitions and electronic fuel injection, all of which require computers to function. These systems also enhance reliability and drivability in modern cars. Then on top of that people want all these nice automated features in their vehicles. I'm not knocking your Mustang but times have changed since 1965.

[@ronniespring8888]

Agreed

[@volvo09]

Good reminder and lesson on the interconnection of these CAN busses.easy to think they are all seeing each other's communication.

[@huntingspud3086]

Another awesome diagnostic session, great job!

[@JaySosaNY]

I currently am the guy they give every non ford vehicle to which is alright I worked on a wide variety of vehicles at my last shop ford was probably the one I worked on the least but having factory service info at my disposal makes a world of difference

[@frozenstang3868]

Another great video, alway appreciate you taking the time to teach. First step i do is hit the button and make sure the relay clicks gives you a direction .

[@lost0187]

Very good to know the cluster on the 07-10 trucks and the 11-14 expedition and mustang is the gate way between the on the MS & HS CAN and the 11-14 f150 uses the BCM now as well as I’m sure all the new vehicles up to 2024.

[@rayngerrify]

I am I shade tree, own two 2002 F150s. One 4.2 and one 4.6. I am constantly amazed how Ford engineers designed these vehicles. I had to replace a instrument cluster because the odometer stopped working ( before I realized how easy it was to Re-solder the odometer) and found the ignition wouldn’t work. Some part of the cluster talks to the ignition. My question is what part? Or am I missing something.

[@Loglakeliving]

"Someday, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me." BSG Godfather…

[@bryanh2526]

Very enjoyable video. I appreciated the level of technicality as compared with some of your other videos.

[@falsaapariencia7545]

@FordTechMakuloco Incredible info on your AC series. I've about watched them all now, but I can't find any coverage of what I am experiencing on my 2007 f-150 5.4L. I just replaced the compressor, dryer, and orifice tube. The oil in the system was very clean, and the orifice tube was also very clean, so I did not have reason to suspect any contamination in my system. After buttoning up the system with the new components, I vacuumed the system and let it sit at around minus 28psi for several hours, ran the pump a few times during that time frame to keep sucking moisture out. All looks good. My truck holds 34oz of R134, so I purchase three 12oz cans(36oz total) and put all three cans in the low side as you are supposed to. Yes, that is theoretically 2oz over, but I subtract a little for the loss through my hoses when releasing pressure and checking things a couple of times. AC turns on and cools pretty well, but both my high side and low side oscillate up and down in unison. It's not the traditional low freon symptom where they move in opposing directions as the compressor turns on and off. It did do this as expected after the first can, and through the second can as well. Now, after 3 cans, my low side averages about 25psi, with slow swings up and down plus/minus 2 or 3 psi. I'm thinking I'm low, but not confident at this point. Any suggestions?

[@tippertopcat]

Your a genius

[@joebarrera4959]

Thank you for all you do

[@guadalupeguajardo8668]

I wish we'd had better technicians with the heart to learn more every day and keep up with new technology..this new cars and are a challenge.. best off luck to this guy's who really wants to do their job a little easier.

[@axl151]

I've explained to others that the multiple CAN speeds are like 10/100/1000Mb ethernet where the different network speeds can be handled in a single switch or hub. Ford just puts the hub/switch inside the cluster since it's something you pretty much can't live without

[@chekelley6861]

Great stuff. I had a Cadillac SRX that blew warm at idle. The fans were running but I noticed the high speed would come on but immediately shut off. Low speed worked fine. Noticed the system voltage would drop to 12.4 anytime the high speed fan would come on and the vehicle would use some type of load shedding strategy to turn the high speed off. Found the positive battery cable had a voltage drop that was causing the entire problem. Crazy.

[@uknowimright6269]

@Che Kelly...FYI..a bad radiator cap will ruin fas milage in that caddy as well...causes computer to misread engine temps and dumps gas

[@paulfiebke3909]

Thanks for teaching me that it makes sence

[@Theferg1]

Thank you bro. I’m trying to find out what’s going on with my Ford mustang AC going from hot to cold hot to cold so you know whose channel I came to to figure it out.!! 👍💯

[@joseeduardosegura2343]

You are my hero, I bought an Explorer Sport Trac a year ago and the air conditioning does not work, I took it to several workshops and they checked everything, changed sensors, clutch, filled with gas and it did not start (the only way to turn it on was by going under the hood ), I investigated and my truck is a Limited v8 so the instrument panel does not correspond to a Limited but was replaced a few years ago with a v6 or a lower finish so I always had that doubt, now with sertesa I know that is the problem. Now I have to find a workshop that can do this same job that you just showed in the video. I'm wondering if the cluster is also responsible for my v8 feeling underpowered, almost like a v6. It has no fault codes or faults whatsoever. I just don't feel the power of those 300HP.

[@marksearcy9708]

Amazing, Great detail.

[@Chris-eh3du]

Hey thanks so much for this video! I have an 06' Explorer and sadly the pixels on the cluster info display are going out. I was debating replacing it, but this tells me that likely even if I take it to a ford dealer they will probably not program the as built data correctly. Might just live with the bad pixels.

[@ronniespring8888]

Same here, not messing with it

[@jtjtrs8806]

When I was 17 first job at dealership as a porter , on my break a certified mechanic told me never to use those refill cans from autoparts , and just before your about turn off your engine to turn off your ac, I'm 42yrs now and I've done that to all vehicles I've had and never had a ac issue , I own a f150 with 200k ac still blows cold 🥶

[@richhowell1540]

@FordTechMakuloco This is exactly what has happened to me yet I have been unable to find a shop to fix. I have a 2008 Sport Trac XLT that needed a new cluster. Found a 2008 Limited and everything seemed to work fine after getting keys done but soon realized a/c didn't work hence finding your video. Apparently, I might have to do this myself. Recommendations and instructions requested.

[@toddcoates5584]

Definitely look at codes more in depth before throwing parts .We all do it or done it.Great video ,always.

[@pauldavis8716]

Great video

[@Alex-px2mb]

Thanks for your good work and this is probably the most unfriendly and deliberately frustrating "Pay or Play" system ever designed except for certain BMW and Mercedes cars. You're like the Road Warrior. God bless you, Brian. The "netwerks" in these cars seems to be designed to have minimal fault-tolerance and maximum failure rate, precisely the opposite of the way the Internet is designed, literally turned on its head, so that at every turn you are totally lost without spending big $$$. It's frightening that people have to learn this total crap to get a "certification" but tha's the way it is. Everybody is being led around by the engineers who design these systems to be almost impossibly difficult-to-diagnose garbage. By the way, I advise you to open a really good restaurant for your fallback career once all this nonsense junk comes apart, which won't be too long now. Make Japanese Teppanyaki and on the other side of the restaurant, Mexican street food.

[@Forever-into-Cars-and-Stars]

❤ It's 2023 8 22 and it is here now. And the FLEX 2011 we bought 1- 1/2 years ago with 139K the BLUEDRIVER says had 224K. And the Ford dealer just went out of business last year in Everitt Washington 🤬

[@randypeterson8798]

Great video. 👍

[@jeffhowell3310]

Excellent video

[@glenhouston3979]

Another great video, I am having a very similar issue, ACC_cmd doesn't toggle when the switch is engaged therefore the clutch will not engage. The only DTC I am getting is blower motor control failure, even though it is a new controller and HVAC module. How do I program the new HVAC module?

[@frederickhairston3823]

Having problem with my 02 f 150 5.4 king ranch heat form vent summer time, cool winter

[@jerbrohoward2816]

Great!! 👍 Good work!

[@clueless6559]

Would be good to revisit pids after code clear

[@JOHNSUE28]

Very well explained. Full code scan for me, Forevermore! Thank you!

[@jermainey]

This guy is who id like to fix my car hypothetically it's not something I can figure out . Boys on his game , love your content keep up the good work !

[@billsfone]

Brian, if your not already, you should be a millionaire! At least Ford should float some $$ for keeping their vehicles on the road!!

[@luismarty1685]

Thank you sir.

[@50sled7]

Brian's the man...

[@alexp6016]

It's easy to forget that the cluster acts as a gateway between the PCM/ECM and many other modules on MANY CAN controlled cars. Crazy that the only thing not working was the AC before programming it.

[@HFERNANDEZDELEON]

Saludos desde República Dominicana

[@johnknox5692]

thk for showing this in detail, great explanation how it works

[@jaydubb9478]

I know this is off the subject Brian. I want you to put me a power train products 5.4 in my 05 F150 when it's time. I take good care at 185k miles but it ain't gonna last forever. Truck is to good of a platform to trash, just might need a new engine one day. Sent you an email a while back. I know you're busy and I appreciate your time. Great video again btw.

[@reycardenas8092]

Thanks for the great information

[@faustogonzalez8397]

Great video!! Thanks.