Rebel Racing Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 Hi Guys, As we use the remote start more often I am noticing that whether I leave the car with the HVAC on Auto or keep it on manual, when I get in the car after a remote start, the system is off. Is this normal or do I need to do something different to have the heat on when I get in it?? All other cars with a remote start, the heat or cooling for that matter, would be running. Any thoughts what is wrong?? Thanks!! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 21 minutes ago, Rebel Racing said: Hi Guys, As we use the remote start more often I am noticing that whether I leave the car with the HVAC on Auto or keep it on manual, when I get in the car after a remote start, the system is off. Is this normal or do I need to do something different to have the heat on when I get in it?? All other cars with a remote start, the heat or cooling for that matter, would be running. Any thoughts what is wrong?? Thanks!! Hi R R. How old is your battery? Like so many things with modern, electronic/computer dependent cars, it can sometimes be a sign of a weak battery. A basic explanation is that a weakening battery may have enough power to start the car, but not enough to simultaneously power the startup checklist and memory features during that startup.. Also, if I recall correctly, there was an update for some earlier model year Fusions/MKZ's/Milans. However, this was over 10 years ago, and I do not know if it would have applied to your vehicle. You can ask the Service Department at your local Ford Dealership about this. In the meantime, it might be a good idea to check the age of your battery, have it tested and replace if necessary. You can also find coupons for a free battery test on the Ford Owners website. Let us know how you make out and good luck. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Racing Posted December 13, 2019 Author Share Posted December 13, 2019 3 hours ago, bbf2530 said: Hi R R. How old is your battery? Like so many things with modern, electronic/computer dependent cars, it can sometimes be a sign of a weak battery. A basic explanation is that a weakening battery may have enough power to start the car, but not enough to simultaneously power the startup checklist and memory features during that startup.. Also, if I recall correctly, there was an update for some earlier model year Fusions/MKZ's/Milans. However, this was over 10 years ago, and I do not know if it would have applied to your vehicle. You can ask the Service Department at your local Ford Dealership about this. In the meantime, it might be a good idea to check the age of your battery, have it tested and replace if necessary. You can also find coupons for a free battery test on the Ford Owners website. Let us know how you make out and good luck. I put a new battery in it last month....starts great. Something is not right. It's just a winter car and will be sold in April but if there is a simple fix, I'd do it. Thanks!! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 (edited) 5 hours ago, Rebel Racing said: I put a new battery in it last month....starts great. Something is not right. It's just a winter car and will be sold in April but if there is a simple fix, I'd do it. Thanks!! Hi R R. There is no do-it-yourself fix that I know of. As I mentioned, there was a EATC/DATC programming update on some first generation Fusion/MKZ/Milan models. I had it performed on my 20017 MKZ. You can check with your Ford Dealers Service Department to see if it applies to your Fusion. Or perhaps one of our tech members will jump in with more information to help you. I don't recall how long you have had your Fusion? Keep us updated and good luck. Edited December 13, 2019 by bbf2530 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Racing Posted December 13, 2019 Author Share Posted December 13, 2019 28 minutes ago, bbf2530 said: H R R. There is no do-it-yourself fix that I know of. As I mentioned, there was a EATC/DATC programming update on some first generation Fusion/MKZ/Milan models. I had it performed on my 20017 MKZ. You can check with your Ford Dealers Service Department to see if it applies to your Fusion. Or perhaps one of our tech members will jump in with more information to help you. I don't recall how long you have had your Fusion? Keep us updated and good luck. Bought it back in September as a winter car. Strangely, the last 2 starts today and it kept the previous setting. Clearly it is an intermittent problem. As I will be flipping the car in the spring, I'd like it to work but probably won't spend a ton of $$ for it. Would like to know what is going on though. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 2 hours ago, Rebel Racing said: Bought it back in September as a winter car. Strangely, the last 2 starts today and it kept the previous setting. Clearly it is an intermittent problem. As I will be flipping the car in the spring, I'd like it to work but probably won't spend a ton of $$ for it. Would like to know what is going on though. Hi R R. Yes, I am not sure what the reprogramming of the DATC system in my 2007 MKZ consisted of, since it was still under warranty. I do know it fixed the primary issue I was having, which was the DATC system sometimes reverting to high fan speed when the car was started. I would try stopping by the Service Department of your Ford Dealer and asking if there are any TSB's or updates available for your issue. Keep us updated and good luck. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Racing Posted December 14, 2019 Author Share Posted December 14, 2019 1 hour ago, bbf2530 said: Hi R R. Yes, I am not sure what the reprogramming of the DATC system in my 2007 MKZ consisted of, since it was still under warranty. I do know it fixed the primary issue I was having, which was the DATC system sometimes reverting to high fan speed when the car was started. I would try stopping by the Service Department of your Ford Dealer and asking if there are any TSB's or updates available for your issue. Keep us updated and good luck. Might be worth a call to them...they are less than a mile from my house. Thanks!! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaleZ Posted January 21, 2020 Share Posted January 21, 2020 (edited) I think that you will find the following older thread covers this topic https://www.fordfusionforum.com/topic/9099-auto-temp-turns-off-when-cold/ Ford released Technical Service Bulletin TSB (09-20-01) that describes the issue reasonably well. Essentially, when the vehicle temperature drops below 10 °F (-12.2 °C) for an extended time, a component on the EATC Module (Electronic Automatic Temperature Control) resets and the unit turns off. You can just push the buttons on the unit in the morning and turn on the fan, and re-enter a temperature, but this really is irritating when you've bought a Remote Starter so you can go out to your car and have to go out to turn the defrost mode on. (And I might add, get in trouble with the little woman when you blame her for turning the defroster panel off last night...sigh) Ford fixed the problem and released a new part that does not have the issue. It looks like the part number did not change, but the version number did. I could only find one reference in the link above that indicated what part to look for. There are different part numbers for the EATC module, depending on whether there are heated seat buttons. 8E5Z-19980-B Heater Control W/AUTO AIR, W/HEATED SEAT -This was recently discontinued and I was quoted C$1000 by Ford last year when I inquired. YIKES!!! If you search for this part, it doesn't show up on eBay or other sites. 7E5H-18C612-B is the actual part number that appears on the decal on the part itself. This is available on eBay in the US$20-50 range. There can be another letter after the final B and I think that these define the front panel colour. This isn't terribly important as the panel can come off the old unit to match the console colour. Earlier versions which have the problem appear to have earlier version 1.01. The link above indicates that version 6.37 fixes the problem. I suspect that versions in the 6.00 and up range may fix the issue, but I'm only guessing. Decal on Part Number 6E5H-18C612-BP Version 6.35 Apparently, one has to run a diagnostic utility to tune the settings to ensure temperature step size and so on. I don't know how to do this. Worst case, one could take your new part to a Ford dealer and have them do this adjustment. Perhaps used units are already programmed and will work without this adjustment. Wouldn't hurt to try installing it first to see if it works. I've just purchased a used unit and have not received it yet to see if it fixes the problem. It doesn't get this cold too often here , but when it happens it's a real pain that the remote start function doesn't let you defrost the windshield and warm up the interior I hope this helps. Dale Edited January 21, 2020 by DaleZ 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaleZ Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 Well, I received my EATC today and installed it. It was easy to install. See the Youtube video below. The video shows a manual control panel (EMTC), but the process is the same The system is functioning correctly without any calibration. It has NOT been cold enough to see if the new EATC resolves the original issue yet. If and when it does get cold enough I will let you know. The unit I installed was the one shown in my previous post with v 6.35. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaleZ Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 Well, I have to report back that changing the EATC out did NOT fix the issue. I guess, either the version of the unit I installed (v.6.35)was still too early a version, or I've got another issue. The unit was shut off twice now in the mornings after remote starting the car. And it wasn't particularly cold, maybe 30 Degrees F out. Oh well, it was worth the attempt. The part wasn't that expensive and I installed it myself so there was no labour. Sorry, ladies and gentlemen, Dale 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eGuru Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 Probably the remote starter's HVAC driver/relay is defective. Typically it is the orange wire coming out of the RS. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Racing Posted February 9, 2020 Author Share Posted February 9, 2020 58 minutes ago, DaleZ said: Well, I have to report back that changing the EATC out did NOT fix the issue. I guess, either the version of the unit I installed (v.6.35)was still too early a version, or I've got another issue. The unit was shut off twice now in the mornings after remote starting the car. And it wasn't particularly cold, maybe 30 Degrees F out. Oh well, it was worth the attempt. The part wasn't that expensive and I installed it myself so there was no labour. Sorry, ladies and gentlemen, Dale Sorry to hear that....I know how disappointing it can be when a simple fix seems possible. Our '08 is doing the same and if I thought that a swap would fix it, I would. I only have about 4 weeks or really cool weather and I am selling the car in the spring so I am not going to do anything with it. Good luck with whatever you decide to try next though. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Racing Posted February 9, 2020 Author Share Posted February 9, 2020 Sorry to hear that....I know how disappointing it can be when a simple fix seems possible. Our '08 is doing the same and if I thought that a swap would fix it, I would. I only have about 4 weeks or really cool weather and I am selling the car in the spring so I am not going to do anything with it. Good luck with whatever you decide to try next though. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaleZ Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 1 hour ago, eGuru said: Probably the remote starter's HVAC driver/relay is defective. Typically it is the orange wire coming out of the RS. Good point. This is my wife's daily driver so I don't get to use it much. I've only noticed it because of the remote start issue. I have made the assumption that it only happens with the remote starter. I am going to see if it happens with a regular start in cold weather. If not, then you could be absolutely right. Only problem, it doesn't get that cold here too often so it may take a while to see if it does the same thing with a key start. "Patience my behind, let's kill something" to paraphrase the old 1970's vintage poster of the vultures watching the guy crawling in the desert. Waiting to see if a change works can be frustrating unless you live in Winnipeg in the winter! I'll keep trying. If anything works, I'll let people know. Dale 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eGuru Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 Bring the car over to my house. It is -25C this morning - that'll stress test anything marginal in the electronics. btw the expression we used was "Patience my ass, ....." Good luck. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaleZ Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 3 hours ago, eGuru said: Bring the car over to my house. It is -25C this morning - that'll stress test anything marginal in the electronics. btw the expression we used was "Patience my ass, ....." Good luck. I'm on the left coast where we are wimps. -10C is enough to Bring Vancouver to a standstill. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I didn't want to offend anyone with delicate dispositions! Sadly, when I say that to most young people, they have no idea what I'm referring to. Great Poster. Well, this morning, it is about -1C out and I went out to start the car with a key. It turns out the EATC has shut off without needing to remote start it. I turn on the controls and the EXT temperature is reading -40C! Well, in goes the original EATC now. I don't think that the original one (v.0.1) failed until at least -7C. Sigh. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 This may or may not apply to your car, depending on build date: Quote TSB 09-20-1 (EATC-Blank Screen_Stays off) FORD: 2006-2009 Fusion MERCURY: 2006-2009 Milan This article supersedes TSB 9-10-4 to update the Service Procedure. ISSUE: Some 2006-2009 Fusion and Milan vehicles equipped with Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC) and built before 12/16/2008 may exhibit the following after extended cold soak (usually overnight) in extreme cold temperatures below 10 °F (-12.2 °C) a condition where the EATC module remains in the off position after the vehicle has been started and/or not returning to its prior climate control setting or the EATC module screen may be blank. If this occurs, the module can be manually turned on and will operate normally. Once the climate control head is activated, all climate control functionality will operate properly. An improved EATC module has been released to correct this condition. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaleZ Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 (edited) 8 hours ago, drolds1 said: This may or may not apply to your car, depending on build date: I agree. It appears as though this TSB indicates that a replacement of the EATC module with a new revision part will cure that. Unfortunately, it does not indicate specifically what part number/revision should be used I checked earlier in the year and the part through Ford was OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive (Like almost C$1000). I checked several weeks ago and the EATC module is now obsolete and non-orderable. A previous post indicated that the problem had been fixed on their car with an EATC version V.06.37 The version of EATC on my wife's 2009 was version V.01.01 so I hoped that a used EATC version v.06.35 may fix the issue as well. Unfortunately, no cigar. It actually seems to be more temperature sensitive than the v.01.01 unit was. Edited February 10, 2020 by DaleZ 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 Your ambient temp reading may be caused by a defective outside air temperature sensor. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eGuru Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 (edited) Look for a label that says "Reflash". If you look closely, you will notice that this label has been applied over the original. If you purchase from recycler LKQ, they will refund you for defective units. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2006-2009-Ford-Fusion-Automatic-Temperature-Control-OEM-LKQ-/192881851204?vxp=mtr&hash=item2ce8a77b44 Edited February 10, 2020 by eGuru 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaleZ Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 7 hours ago, drolds1 said: Your ambient temp reading may be caused by a defective outside air temperature sensor. Nope. It was the EATC when it was cold. It previously read correctly. I put the original EATC back in and the temperature immediately read correctly. Darned part wants to live in Florida! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaleZ Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 58 minutes ago, eGuru said: Look for a label that says "Reflash". If you look closely, you will notice that this label has been applied over the original. If you purchase from recycler LKQ, they will refund you for defective units. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2006-2009-Ford-Fusion-Automatic-Temperature-Control-OEM-LKQ-/192881851204?vxp=mtr&hash=item2ce8a77b44 This is awesome information. When I first looked, I could find no V.6.37 versions so i bought a v.6.35 which did NOT indicate reflash. Now I see 3 of them for sale. Sigh. I've just bought one this morning. I'll bet you a dollar that it fixes the problem. I assume that the 'reflash' and the new decal indicate that they were sent through rework at AB Electronics when Ford figured out the problem and before they were sent out to the Ford Parts pipeline. I will let people know if this fixes my problem. Off topic, but interesting, it appears as though AB Automotive Electronics shut down some time between 2009 and 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K1b-YpzaP0 It appears to have been a Welsh company with 157 employees. Sort of sad to see. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaleZ Posted October 25, 2020 Share Posted October 25, 2020 On 2/10/2020 at 7:38 AM, DaleZ said: This is awesome information. When I first looked, I could find no V.6.37 versions so i bought a v.6.35 which did NOT indicate reflash. Now I see 3 of them for sale. Sigh. I've just bought one this morning. I'll bet you a dollar that it fixes the problem. I assume that the 'reflash' and the new decal indicate that they were sent through rework at AB Electronics when Ford figured out the problem and before they were sent out to the Ford Parts pipeline. I will let people know if this fixes my problem. Well, it finally dipped down below 0 Degrees C this week and I am glad to report that the V.6.37 Version EATC appears to have fixed the issue. It took 9 months to have the chance to test out the fix. Dale 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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