AC/Heat turning on randomly

[mikenmar]

In the past week or so, the AC/Heat has started turning on spontaneously. Sometimes it happens when I first start the car. Other times, it just comes on while I'm driving, even though I haven't pushed a single button or switch, or changed anything anywhere.

 

Has anyone else experienced this? What the heck is going on?

 

It's a year and half old, and I have about 13k miles.

[CometFlash]

In the past week or so, the AC/Heat has started turning on spontaneously. Sometimes it happens when I first start the car. Other times, it just comes on while I'm driving, even though I haven't pushed a single button or switch, or changed anything anywhere.

 

Has anyone else experienced this? What the heck is going on?

 

It's a year and half old, and I have about 13k miles.

 

This might sound obvious, but have you always controlled your heat and AC manually? Maybe you just turned on your EATC system and didn't realize it?

[mikenmar]

This might sound obvious, but have you always controlled your heat and AC manually? Maybe you just turned on your EATC system and didn't realize it?

 

Yes, I have always controlled the heat/AC manually.

 

What is the EATC? I'm not seeing anything in the manual. (And I don't have the built-in navigation if it has something to do with that.)

[akirby]

Yes, I have always controlled the heat/AC manually.

 

What is the EATC? I'm not seeing anything in the manual. (And I don't have the built-in navigation if it has something to do with that.)

 

Electronic Automatic Temp Control.

[mikenmar]

Electronic Automatic Temp Control.

 

What is that? I don't see it in the manual.

 

Do you mean pushing the "Auto" button? Yes, I use this, but you can tell when it's on because there's a red light on it. (I think this is what the manual refers to as "Dual Automatic Temperature Control", or DATC -- maybe that's what you're thinking of?)

 

I'm saying the AC/Heat will go on all by itself, even if I do not have "Auto" depressed. I've had the car for a year and a half now, and it just started doing this.

Edited December 12, 2010 by mikenmar

[CometFlash]

What is that? I don't see it in the manual.

 

Do you mean pushing the "Auto" button? Yes, I use this, but you can tell when it's on because there's a red light on it. (I think this is what the manual refers to as "Dual Automatic Temperature Control", or DATC -- maybe that's what you're thinking of?)

 

I'm saying the AC/Heat will go on all by itself, even if I do not have "Auto" depressed. I've had the car for a year and a half now, and it just started doing this.

 

Isn't that, then. Thought it was worth a shot. No idea what the issue could be then, sorry.

[jay2000]

This is just a thought, I really don't know what is going on.

 

Could the defrost be coming on? Could that override everything under certain conditions? I think that can activate the A/C, even in winter, in order to dry out the air.

[mastercraft197]

In the past week or so, the AC/Heat has started turning on spontaneously. Sometimes it happens when I first start the car. Other times, it just comes on while I'm driving, even though I haven't pushed a single button or switch, or changed anything anywhere.

 

Has anyone else experienced this? What the heck is going on?

 

It's a year and half old, and I have about 13k miles.

 

My AC turns on automatically (more when it's warm out). It hasn't happened much since it's gotten to be winter.

[DaDD]

What is that? I don't see it in the manual.

 

Do you mean pushing the "Auto" button? Yes, I use this, but you can tell when it's on because there's a red light on it. (I think this is what the manual refers to as "Dual Automatic Temperature Control", or DATC -- maybe that's what you're thinking of?)

 

I'm saying the AC/Heat will go on all by itself, even if I do not have "Auto" depressed. I've had the car for a year and a half now, and it just started doing this.

 

A/C comes on automatically when controls are set to Max A/C, Defrost or Floor/Defrost, page 70 in the 2010 manual. Had me mystified for a bit in the summer. Had been using defrost to clear fog windshield when raining out, A/C kept coming on. Winter here now and I don't think it comes on as the temp is set higher now.

[joe9119]

it is usually a problem when condensation build up in the car when it gets really hot and rains a lot causing the sensors to have a little corrosion my best opinion would be to have the windshield shader to keep it cooler in the car and something to collect the moisture if you want the cheap fix my 2015 fusion started doing the same thing