Air Conditioner stops at stop lights

[Keith Vlk]

Bought my ranger when it was much cooler out and usually use the windows when it's hot. While driving around with my wife this weekend we tossed on the a/c and noticed something unusual. When driving at top speeds on the highway the AC runs nice and smooth. However, when we are on city roads and stopping at lights, it cycles down and almost turns off. At first I thought it was something tied to the auto on/off that the engine does. But the more it happened the more it seemed like no way ford designed it that way.

Has anyone else experienced this?

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[Jbroke]

Its the auto stop start, it shuts off your engine which means the A/C too, there's a few threads on how to disable that feature.

 

[Keith Vlk]

Its the auto stop start, it shuts off your engine which means the A/C too, there's a few threads on how to disable that feature.

What was ford thinking?? Thanks. Disabling that tonight.

 

[Mokume]

What was ford thinking?? Thanks. Disabling that tonight.

Not just Ford, MANY other automakers use the same technology.

 

[Keith Vlk]

Not just Ford, MANY other automakers use the same technology.

I came from an old ford fusion with absolutely no bells and whistles. So still adjusting to this new world. Thanks for the info! Just seemed weird to me to stop the blowers, but it makes sense. Just still getting use to it.

 

[RANGER_MARC]

Hey, Keith, sure sounds like it is the auto stop/start at work. Just to be sure, when you start up today, either press the off button before engaging, or move the shift into Sport. Either of these will cancel the AS/S for the duration of the drive. A lot of members use more exotic means to turn theirs off for good, but I just stick to these basics.

 

[AzScorpion]

What was ford thinking?? Thanks. Disabling that tonight.

Just put a nightlight in the 110 outlet behind the console. It will disable it and only cost you $3.96.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HED2BI...olid=3JCTL0QFBQY46&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[Porpoise Hork]

What was ford thinking?? Thanks. Disabling that tonight.

Not the brightest idea to shut the AC off in a car at every stop light. Especially when it's 100F+ outside....

You can disable the Auto start/stop multiple ways. There's a plethora of ways to shut it off. For instance you can do the the LED mod, FORSCAN, or with a tune, or with the trailer plug mod, or with the Auto Start/Stop Eliminator.

I went with the eliminator as it is a simple cable extension that plugs into the stop/start switch and remembers the last state the system was in on next vehicle start. I like it because it works perfectly and only took about 2 min to install and tucks up neatly under the console, and most importantly my kids won't unplug the LED for some reason while they're in the truck.

 

[Keith Vlk]

my ac (at least the fan) continues to run during an auto shutoff and blows cold air, the engine restarts when more cooling is required
the temp change in the cabin is barely noticeable. theres no massive swings in hot or cold.

I would suggest you have a problem with your system and sensors, or in your understanding of how it works

My fans still run, but their speed is drastically reduced. Either way, truck is due for an oil change coming up and I'll have the service guys take a look to insure it's working as it should. My dealership has been amazing through my 15+ years of ford cars.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

my ac (at least the fan) continues to run during an auto shutoff and blows cold air, the engine restarts when more cooling is required
the temp change in the cabin is barely noticeable. theres no massive swings in hot or cold.

I would suggest you have a problem with your system and sensors, or in your understanding of how it works

Same. On mine, there may be a slight reduction in fan speed to save some power, but it doesn't affect the overall cabin temperature and it's certainly not a drastic or noticeable change it you aren't paying attention to it. If it senses the climate system isn't cutting it, then the engine will turn back on, I've had that happen before as well.

OP, you're free to disable the start/stop anyways in any manner others have noted, and it will subsequently keep the A/C on full when you stop at a light, but I'm not sure that's the real issue, if you're accounting is correct in how drastic the change is when the engine turns off. Seems like there might be something else going on.

 

[Rinn69]

What was ford thinking?? Thanks. Disabling that tonight.

@Keith Vlk Free way to disable AS/S -- https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/auto-start.7812/post-139321
If you look at the NEG battery terminal, there is a little plug that goes in from the passenger side towards the drivers side. Unplug it. Done. Free.

 

[HighCaliberMitch]

What was ford thinking?? Thanks. Disabling that tonight.

If your temp is set low enough, it will prioritize comfort over stopping, meaning the AC will stay on.

 

[Traneman]

I use the Auto Start/Stop, and I have not yet seen any issued with the cabin comfort. It will start up again if I am at the light for a bit, and the air flow starts to warm up a little bit.

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