I’m scratching my head on this one.

2011 f150 XLT. Manual climate controls single zone.

I’ve had issues with the infamous blend/mode door actuators. I’ve replaced them multiple times and it fixes my issues for a short time, but now I have new problems.

recently my temp wouldn’t change from hot to cold, it was stuck on cold and at the same time my vents would only blow forward (no floor or defrost). It seemed unlikely that it was the actuators failing at the same time (I replaced them around 6 months ago). So my theory was that it was the climate control module itself (previous owner had a soda freeze and explode and the buttons have been sticky ever since so I figured that could be the source). I replaced it with an OEM module off of eBay. Once I got that hooked up, my temp control worked except now I only get lukewarm air not cold. Also my external temp sensor is stuck at 50 degrees

I bought new actuators and while I had them out I turned the door by hand and still didn’t get fully cold air.

my mode door actuator had actually sheared off. Replaced it as well, but still no change to the vents. I can move the mode door by hand (using an old gear from a previous actuator) so it doesn’t seem to be jammed although there is a “sticky” point in the middle of the rotation.

I’ve tried pulling the fuse to recalibrate, I made sure my external temp sensor was plugged in under the hood. I’m lost on this one. I had great AC before this and nothing else has changed. Did I get a bad module?

 

Welcome, was it a Ford module?

 

Did you replace the HVAC module or the front panel buttons module? I'm not sure how a coke spill could really get to the HVAC module unless the dash was already open.

 

yes it was a Ford module

 

I replaced the buttons module (I guess I ignorantly thought that was the module since it seems to send the signal to turn the AC on and off, temp changes, vent control, etc). I think I saw there is some other module under the cover on the top of the dash?

im just really stumped by the fact that my AC was blowing cold and then as soon as I replaced the controls it stopped turning on and only lukewarm air now (and the strange ambient temp sensor issue)

 

The buttons (FCIM) are digital and link right into the CAN system. So, it's not like the 90s with direct analog control of anything. But no, it's not the actual HVAC controller, either. That is right up at the top inside the dash. But, either way you are just throwing expensive parts at it. And the actuators do fail a lot. Esp aftermarket ones. It's a real pain in the *** with all the computers in cars, even 14 years old.

Your new FCIM could be bad, or wiring issues, or it needs to be programmed. Tough for anyone here to say what's happening. If you have the ability, perhaps with forscan, you can reprogram for the new FCIM. Or put the old one back, not sure about cleaning it. And then you could do electric tests on the various wires. See if the actuators have power, see if signal is actually going thru when you command it. Takes some tools and some knowledge.