Automatic climate control problems after window tint

[bdwells]

I had my windows tinted shortly after buying my 2010 SEL Fusion. Now it seems like the automatic climate control acts strangely when sunlight is coming in from different directions. I did not have the windshield tinted and I'm assuming that black nub in the middle of the defroster vents is the temp/light sensor for the AC. Are there other sensors that my be getting blocked from the tint on the other windows?

 

Is there a way to reprogram the AC for windows that are tinted?

[bbf2530]

I had my windows tinted shortly after buying my 2010 SEL Fusion. Now it seems like the automatic climate control acts strangely when sunlight is coming in from different directions. I did not have the windshield tinted and I'm assuming that black nub in the middle of the defroster vents is the temp/light sensor for the AC. Are there other sensors that my be getting blocked from the tint on the other windows?

 

Is there a way to reprogram the AC for windows that are tinted?

 

Hi bdwells. :D The little black nub between the defroster vents is actually the ambient light sensor for the automatic headlights (if it is the one I believe you are describing).

 

There are sensors that measure both the inside and outside ambient temperatures in order to assist the ATC system in controlling/predicting cooling and temperature load. However, they measure temperature gradients, not light gradients. So while the window tint will certainly affect temperature somewhat, I don't know if the tint would be causing the problem in such an immediate manner (i.e. while driving and having the sun come in from different directions)..

 

To my knowledge, there is no way to reprogram the ATC system for tinted windows.

 

Of course, I could be mistaken or there could be another issue with the ATC system that coincidentally began to occur when your windows were tinted, so your best course of action (in my opinion) would be to make a service appointment, tell them about the issue and have the system checked.

 

Let us know the outcome and good luck. :beerchug:

[Sithil]

Hi bdwells. :D The little black nub between the defroster vents is actually the ambient light sensor for the automatic headlights (if it is the one I believe you are describing).

 

There are sensors that measure both the inside and outside ambient temperatures in order to assist the ATC system in controlling/predicting cooling and temperature load. However, they measure temperature gradients, not light gradients. So while the window tint will certainly affect temperature somewhat, I don't know if the tint would be causing the problem in such an immediate manner (i.e. while driving and having the sun come in from different directions)..

 

To my knowledge, there is no way to reprogram the ATC system for tinted windows.

 

Of course, I could be mistaken or there could be another issue with the ATC system that coincidentally began to occur when your windows were tinted, so your best course of action (in my opinion) would be to make a service appointment, tell them about the issue and have the system checked.

 

Let us know the outcome and good luck. :beerchug:

 

my SEL is tinted with 15% on the sides and 5% on the back glass. I Haven't noticed any change but considering mine stays on 60 and Max AC 90% of the time since I got the car in June I may not be the best to comment. Maybe contact your dealership and at least find out where the sensors are located to see if it is located somewhere that normally gets direct sunlight and is now dimmed.

 

I have solar tint along with the stuff from the factory on the glass so even 95+ outside with black leather interior it only takes a few min for the AC to cool the cab. I have noticed if I pull back the moon roof cover to get some extra light in the car I can feel a major heat difference from that glass, your sensors may be reacting to something similar just in a different spot.

[Waldo]

As bbf stated, there isn't a sensor that detects light in the climate system. The interior sensor is behind the little opening on the dash on the right side of the steering wheel, so it shouldn't be affected by sunlight. If this is your first vehicle with automatic temperature control, you might just not understand how it's working. What exactly is "strange"?

[bdwells]

As bbf stated, there isn't a sensor that detects light in the climate system. The interior sensor is behind the little opening on the dash on the right side of the steering wheel, so it shouldn't be affected by sunlight. If this is your first vehicle with automatic temperature control, you might just not understand how it's working. What exactly is "strange"?

 

I guess I should have explained what is going on.. It seems that sometimes when it is very hot outside the AC will work fine and other times not blowing cold enough air to cool off the cabin. I always have the temp set at 72 degrees but some days it just either gets too cold or not cold enough. The window tint I have blocks out 95% of the UV rays so maybe it's just me feeling the rays coming through the front window and other times not feeling it when I'm not driving toward the sun.

 

This is my second vehicle with automatic temp. I had this car a couple of weeks before getting the windows tinted and didn't notice the problem. So it may just be me feeling the sun as it shines through the non-tinted windows and other times not feeling it. I'll have to keep an eye on it.

 

My car is in the shop right now getting the front bumper repaired because the dealer screwed the license plate bracket on severely off centered.

 

 

Fortunately they are paying for it and provided me with a rental car, actually a Chevy Silverado truck, to drive until it gets out of the shop hopefully this afternoon.

[Waldo]

I did a little fact checking and realized I was wrong in my post above (as was bbf!). The sunload sensor is used by the climate system to adjust for solar radiation, but I believe it's effects are fairly small. Also as pointed out, without a change in your windshield, the tinted windows shouldn't matter much at all.

 

My best guess is that you're just feeling a little variability in where the sun is coming from. Could also be related to driving conditions. The A/C system needs airflow through the condenser to generate cold air, so in stop and go driving on a hot day, it's not going to be able to produce air as cold as when you're driving at higher speeds.

[caddywhompus]

I also have a 2010 SEL with tinted windows. I owned the car a month before I took it in and had them tinted. In my case, the automatic climate control works exactly the same after as before, no noticeable change whatsoever.

 

For reference, my rear windows are limo-black, and the front windows are 30%. There is no tinting on the windshield.

 

However, I will say that when the temps were hot outside (summer), I always had to start the AC on Max to get the cabin cooled down quickly. The automatic setting just took too long. Once the cabin got cooled down, then I'd hit "Auto" and reset the temp to 68-70 and it would maintain it very well. This is actually a recommendation in the manual. Now that it's getting colder (30 degrees here this morning), the heat seems to work perfectly on auto, with absolutely no intervention from me.

[Moosehead]

It seems like the auto temp control likes to let the system get to the desired temp before really kicking the fan on. I guess that's better than blowing cold air in the winter or hot air in the summer. If you can bear to just start driving, the system gets to the right level much quicker than when idling. It also 'knows' how aggressive it needs to be based on the current exterior temperature. But it takes a while to figure things out if your garage is warmer or cooler than outside.

Edited October 22, 2010 by Moosehead