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Topic: Automatic Climate Control Problem (Read 1846 times) previous topic - next topic

Automatic Climate Control Problem

Hey guys,

I have an 87 t-bird LX with the automatic climate control feature. When I first got the car I couldn't get any air out of the registers although I could hear the blower motor start up. I neglected the problem for awhile but since it's getting cold now I'm determined to fix it. When I got back to messing with it again last week the controller started acting strange and flashing it's LED in a seemingly arbitrary fashion so I figured I was time for a replacement and maybe this was the root of my problems. I ordered up another one online and it seems to be behaving more reasonably but I still can't get air out of the registers. I also checked the actuators and see that they are both moving with a full range of motion. Can anyone clue me in on what's going on?

Thanks and happy thanksgiving!
1988 Mercury Cougar LS
5.0HO + T5 Swap + Suspension/Brake Mods

Automatic Climate Control Problem

Reply #1 –
http://www.coolcats.net/help/atc.html

To run codes.

There is a temp sensor in your heater core hose on the firewall. If i remember correctly, it will not allow air until the coolant warms up. If you unplug it, it should blow air at anytime, if i remember correctly.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Automatic Climate Control Problem

Reply #2 –
Very useful resource. I'll try it out tomorrow and post the results.
Thanks man!
1988 Mercury Cougar LS
5.0HO + T5 Swap + Suspension/Brake Mods

Automatic Climate Control Problem

Reply #3 –
So I first tried what the article said about pulling up the codes and got the number '88' which indicates that there are no errors. According to the website this does not necessarily mean that nothing is wrong, as is the case with my car :D. So then I tried the trick you mentioned about unplugging the temperature sensor on the heater core hose to no avail. Any other recommendations?
1988 Mercury Cougar LS
5.0HO + T5 Swap + Suspension/Brake Mods

Automatic Climate Control Problem

Reply #4 –
Still got the old eatc unit?
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Automatic Climate Control Problem

Reply #5 –
Yeah I still have it
1988 Mercury Cougar LS
5.0HO + T5 Swap + Suspension/Brake Mods

Automatic Climate Control Problem

Reply #6 –
According to the blurb in the 87 EVTM, when the EATC is on heat it blows out the floor ducts. When it is on A/C it blows out the panel registers.
 

Automatic Climate Control Problem

Reply #7 –
Quote from: softtouch;441201
According to the blurb in the 87 EVTM, when the EATC is on heat it blows out the floor ducts. When it is on A/C it blows out the panel registers.

If you press panel and floor at the same time it will blow air out of both spots.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.