SSM 49264 - Climate Control Temperature Will Not Adjust With Clicking/Snapping Noise From The Dash

[AzScorpion]

I have a suspicion that in some areas of the country, mainly rural, that there are literal Journeymen (persons) mechanics that specialize in one or more areas and travel to dealerships like a circuit judge. Not uncommon in the heavy truck and equipment repair industry.
But leaving it there for 30 days? I'm surprised they would take on that liability. My son had a power window problem on his Super Duty that ultimately could't be fixed at the time (power window glitch) so they buttoned it back up and said they would call when the back ordered controller came in.

When my '19 Ranger developed this problem the dealer (Peoria Ford) wanted me to leave it with them for 2 weeks just to diagnose the problem. Then she said it would have to be here another 2-3 weeks to repair it and they had no loaner vehicles either and this was a larger dealer in the city. Yeah that wasn't happening so I just did the DIY repair myself which only took about an hour. Then twice a year I just had to remove the front panel under the steeling wheel and reach in and flip the broken piece of the actuator up or down.

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[JimG_AZ]

When my '19 Ranger developed this problem the dealer (Peoria Ford) wanted me to leave it with them for 2 weeks just to diagnose the problem. Then she said it would have to be here another 2-3 weeks to repair it and they had no loaner vehicles either and this was a larger dealer in the city. Yeah that wasn't happening so I just did the DIY repair myself which only took about an hour. Then twice a year I just had to remove the front panel under the steeling wheel and reach in and flip the broken piece of the actuator up or down.

This is my biggest concern with my extended warranty. I already know I have an issue with an actuator and tried to get that fixed once. Now I'm just waiting for it to totally fail so at least they can no longer tell me they cannot reproduce the issue. When they finally agree to fix the issue, my truck will probably be gone for 2 to 5 weeks. I'll end up eating the cost of a rental vehicle for that time which may not be far off the cost of paying a private garage to fix the issue in 1 to 2 days.

I do have to say that I am starting to appreciate the Mercedes dealer for my wife's car. The customer support there is fantastic. We just had to have some major warranty work done. They kept us up to date on status and provided us a new Mercedes loaner. LOL, the only downside to the loaner is expect a phone call from the sales department asking how you like the loaner.

 

[AzScorpion]

This is my biggest concern with my extended warranty. I already know I have an issue with an actuator and tried to get that fixed once. Now I'm just waiting for it to totally fail so at least they can no longer tell me they cannot reproduce the issue. When they finally agree to fix the issue, my truck will probably be gone for 2 to 5 weeks. I'll end up eating the cost of a rental vehicle for that time which may not be far off the cost of paying a private garage to fix the issue in 1 to 2 days.

I do have to say that I am starting to appreciate the Mercedes dealer for my wife's car. The customer support there is fantastic. We just had to have some major warranty work done. They kept us up to date on status and provided us a new Mercedes loaner. LOL, the only downside to the loaner is expect a phone call from the sales department asking how you like the loaner.

Jim, try contacting Sanderson Ford and see if they provide a rental. I never used them but I had heard good things about them from a couple of my customers. I did talk with them and had an appointment scheduled when I had a code go off and a bunch of warning lights one day. It turned out to be no big deal but I was going to still bring it in to have them look at it but then I got in the accident and well, there was nothing left for them to look at. lol They were really nice and accommodating on their days and times and also were pretty quick (just a couple of days) to schedule an appointment. Sounds like Mercedes does it the right way and that's how they all should be.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

This is my biggest concern with my extended warranty. I already know I have an issue with an actuator and tried to get that fixed once. Now I'm just waiting for it to totally fail so at least they can no longer tell me they cannot reproduce the issue. When they finally agree to fix the issue, my truck will probably be gone for 2 to 5 weeks. I'll end up eating the cost of a rental vehicle for that time which may not be far off the cost of paying a private garage to fix the issue in 1 to 2 days.

I do have to say that I am starting to appreciate the Mercedes dealer for my wife's car. The customer support there is fantastic. We just had to have some major warranty work done. They kept us up to date on status and provided us a new Mercedes loaner. LOL, the only downside to the loaner is expect a phone call from the sales department asking how you like the loaner.

After taking my truck in several times for the HVAC and getting the No Problem Found response, I recorded a video with my phone and an infrared temp gun showing the air coming out of the driver side at 72 degrees and the passenger side at 120 degrees.

I contacted Ford directly and they opened a FAR request.

When I took it to the dealer I provided the FAR request number and a flash drive with the video.

Amazingly, they found it that time.

 

[JimG_AZ]

Jim, try contacting Sanderson Ford and see if they provide a rental. I never used them but I had heard good things about them from a couple of my customers. I did talk with them and had an appointment scheduled when I had a code go off and a bunch of warning lights one day. It turned out to be no big deal but I was going to still bring it in to have them look at it but then I got in the accident and well, there was nothing left for them to look at. lol They were really nice and accommodating on their days and times and also were pretty quick (just a couple of days) to schedule an appointment. Sounds like Mercedes does it the right way and that's how they all should be.

My truck is actually from Sanderson Ford. Sanderson has not seen the truck for this issue. Ford of North Scottsdale was the dealer that said they could not reproduce the HVAC issue.

 

[JimG_AZ]

After taking my truck in several times for the HVAC and getting the No Problem Found response, I recorded a video with my phone and an infrared temp gun showing the air coming out of the driver side at 72 degrees and the passenger side at 120 degrees.

I contacted Ford directly and they opened a FAR request.

When I took it to the dealer I provided the FAR request number and a flash drive with the video.

Amazingly, they found it that time.

This is a very good idea. It may come to this. When I took my truck in for the actuator clicking, I had an iPhone recording, but the service advisor would not even listen to it.

 

[Langwilliams]

I do have to say that I am starting to appreciate the Mercedes dealer for my wife's car. The customer support there is fantastic. We just had to have some major warranty work done. They kept us up to date on status and provided us a new Mercedes loaner. LOL, the only downside to the loaner is expect a phone call from the sales department asking how you like the loaner.

My son can't say that. He took his MB in and they drained the oil, changed the filter and drove the car out of the service department! He did get a nice loaner while they replaced the engine. It kept some miles off it too I guess.

My daughter didn't have a problem with hers other than the $800 service bill every time she took it in for an oil change!

 

[JimG_AZ]

My son can't say that. He took his MB in and they drained the oil, changed the filter and drove the car out of the service department! He did get a nice loaner while they replaced the engine. It kept some miles off it too I guess.

My daughter didn't have a problem with hers other than the $800 service bill every time she took it in for an oil change!

Yes, the German cars are pricy to service. I only use the Mercedes dealer for warranty work. For regular maintenance I use a private garage that specializes in Mercedes. They are @ 25%-30% cheaper than the dealer, but still noticeably more expensive than what maintenance costs on the Ranger.

 

[johnitahoe]

I'm at 75k miles and just started having the Climate Control Housing Issue. Fortunately, I have premiumCare to hopefully cover it.

While the dash is taken apart, is there anything else I should have repaired or replaced that is subject to wear and tear?

When the dealer replaces the Climate Control Housing are they also replacing the actuator on the drivers side that seems to struggle with the warped housing?

 

[Frenchy]

I'm at 75k miles and just started having the Climate Control Housing Issue. Fortunately, I have premiumCare to hopefully cover it.

While the dash is taken apart, is there anything else I should have repaired or replaced that is subject to wear and tear?

When the dealer replaces the Climate Control Housing are they also replacing the actuator on the drivers side that seems to struggle with the warped housing?

Remember that the actuator is not the problem. It's only the HVAC housing. No need to replace the actuator if it's okay

 

[RangerBill]

I'm at 75k miles and just started having the Climate Control Housing Issue. Fortunately, I have premiumCare to hopefully cover it.

While the dash is taken apart, is there anything else I should have repaired or replaced that is subject to wear and tear?

When the dealer replaces the Climate Control Housing are they also replacing the actuator on the drivers side that seems to struggle with the warped housing?

Yes, it is included.

 

[johnitahoe]

Remember that the actuator is not the problem. It's only the HVAC housing. No need to replace the actuator if it's okay

Yep, I understand but similarly I had my transmission rebuilt at 60k and I should have paid a little extra and had them replace the torque converter in my opinion. And if they are tearing it apart why not put in a new actuator?

 

[Frenchy]

Yep, I understand but similarly I had my transmission rebuilt at 60k and I should have paid a little extra and had them replace the torque converter in my opinion. And if they are tearing it apart why not put in a new actuator?

If a transmission gets replaced in the torque converter is not replaced, you need to find a new place to go to in order to have your vehicle repaired.

 

[Jason B]

I have a suspicion that in some areas of the country, mainly rural, that there are literal Journeymen (persons) mechanics that specialize in one or more areas and travel to dealerships like a circuit judge. Not uncommon in the heavy truck and equipment repair industry.
But leaving it there for 30 days? I'm surprised they would take on that liability. My son had a power window problem on his Super Duty that ultimately could't be fixed at the time (power window glitch) so they buttoned it back up and said they would call when the back ordered controller came in.

Part of the problem is that it's warranty work. Ford dictates a certain amount of allowed hours to fix a problem, and they are usually on the low side. So, if Ford allows 4 hours to fix something, that's all that the shop will get, even if it takes them 8 hours. So, they'll let it sit until they have some dead time to work on it, as not to take away from paying customers.

 

[Cmar]

Yes, the German cars are pricy to service. I only use the Mercedes dealer for warranty work. For regular maintenance I use a private garage that specializes in Mercedes. They are @ 25%-30% cheaper than the dealer, but still noticeably more expensive than what maintenance costs on the Ranger.

Yes and I've often wondered why, they use the same oil and most likely the same filters as many other cars, (SSangyong use a Mercedes derived engine and the same filter as many Mercedes models) and to add insult to injury, a filter made by Mann Hummel in their Korean factory resulting in a very good quality filter at 1/2 the price. Hyundai / Kia also use them. I guess they figure you are buying the name.

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