DCCV A/C problem alternating heat and A/C

[ghfun]

I have 2002 LS and intermittaltly the A/C will start blowing warm to hot air on either the drivers or passengers side. I have been told it sounds like the DCCV valve but may be something else. After the car has sat on a warm day, the A/C always starts up normally, sometimes after 10 minutes or so out of the blue one side will start blowing warm air. If I run the temp up to 90 then all the way back to 60 it will clear the problem for some unknown period of time. Recently on a 20 minute drive I had to do this about 4 times. Other times it will funciton properly for much longer. It seems to manfunction after some cooling in the cabin has occured. In every instance if I make a short run, stop in a convenience store for example, it will malfunction shortly after starting back up.

Can anyone help me with some more info or cost or home techniques for evaluation of the problem and repair?
Thanks so much, ghfun@aol.com

 

[Kulow]

Sounds exactly like my 02, I can almost garauntee its the DCCV. I got a new Motorcraft DCCV for 146 plus tax.....but it was "jobber" price so look around.

 

[eastcoastLS]

If I run the temp up to 90 then all the way back to 60 it will clear the problem for some unknown period of time. Recently on a 20 minute drive I had to do this about 4 times. Other times it will funciton properly for much longer.

One day I was spending countless amount of time on here and came across a thread where somebody said the same thing you said in the quote.^^ Anyways I bet their problem was the same as yours hopefully they will chime in. If not try an search 'DCCV' or 'ac problem' thats the search criteria I used.

btw my a/c blows wrong temp out passenger side after a long drive but i cant 'run the temp up to 90 an all the way back to 60' as it will not make any change, but if i turn the car off and restart it, works great just takes less time til it starts to blow hot out the p/s

 

[LS4me]

One day I was spending countless amount of time on here and came across a thread where somebody said the same thing you said in the quote.^^ Anyways I bet their problem was the same as yours hopefully they will chime in. If not try an search 'DCCV' or 'ac problem' thats the search criteria I used.

btw my a/c blows wrong temp out passenger side after a long drive but i cant 'run the temp up to 90 an all the way back to 60' as it will not make any change, but if i turn the car off and restart it, works great just takes less time til it starts to blow hot out the p/s

That sure sounds like the heater control valve! That is the way the valve acts just before total failure. Mine did that for about a month before I got nothing but hot air from the drivers side. I got mine from Bill Jenkins at Team Ford for ~$150.

 

[LS4me]

I have 2002 LS and intermittaltly the A/C will start blowing warm to hot air on either the drivers or passengers side. I have been told it sounds like the DCCV valve but may be something else. After the car has sat on a warm day, the A/C always starts up normally, sometimes after 10 minutes or so out of the blue one side will start blowing warm air. If I run the temp up to 90 then all the way back to 60 it will clear the problem for some unknown period of time. Recently on a 20 minute drive I had to do this about 4 times. Other times it will funciton properly for much longer. It seems to manfunction after some cooling in the cabin has occured. In every instance if I make a short run, stop in a convenience store for example, it will malfunction shortly after starting back up.

Can anyone help me with some more info or cost or home techniques for evaluation of the problem and repair?
Thanks so much, ghfun@aol.com

This happens for a few months before total valve failure, then you will get hot from one side and warm from the other. I got the valve for ~$150 from Bill Jenkins at Team Ford (see side bar ad). If you're handy with tools, you should be able to replace the valve yourself. It's located on the lower left (as you are looking at the engine) of the radiator. It's not too difficult, just a pain in the booty. IIRC, I did it in about 3 hours.

 

[eastcoastLS]

That sure sounds like the heater control valve! That is the way the valve acts just before total failure. Mine did that for about a month before I got nothing but hot air from the drivers side. I got mine from Bill Jenkins at Team Ford for ~$150.

were you able to spike the temp to 90 and back down to 60 and it would work? just curious

 

[ghfun]

THanks

Looks like im off to find the thing under the hood and then to the parts store.
I really appreciate all the help.

 

[PM80]

The part is the DCCV (dual climate control valve). It is located right behind the passenger head light on the lower side. The part cost about $147.72 plu shipping from max at 5star ford. He is a vendor on here. I had to change this part the other day and it took me about 2-3 hours to complete. To change is you have to remove the air intake and un screw the fan shroud. You can twist it to the side and the reach down to get to the dccv. I found that it was easier to unhook the hoses and then just pull the valve off by the rubber mounts. You will see what I am talking about once you get the part in.

 

[LS4me]

were you able to spike the temp to 90 and back down to 60 and it would work? just curious

Sometimes. Also, turning the car off then on would sometimes work. It worked more at the beginning of failure than toward the end.

 

[bigpappy33]

mine has been blowing hot occasionally on the driver side for like 8 months now. Since it was winter i put it off but now its starting to get hot so looks like ill be ordering a new DCCV soon. Ill tell you guys how the install goes.

 

[mharrison]

I haven't been able to get anything but COLD air out of the drivers side for about two months. Fortunately in the south that isn't a big problem for me this time of year, but if the windows fog on a cool morning I'm screwed.

Mine started out where I could go from 60 to 90 and back to get it working, now that does nothing.

I'm planning to replace the DCCV in the very near future.

 

[Iancusp]

wow another problem to add to the list mine did it too but it stopped after a while and i havent had it occur again in quite sometime
when i thought back on it i thought my temps were different on either side but thats just me tryin to figuree out wat it was aftawards

 

[eastcoastLS]

Sometimes. Also, turning the car off then on would sometimes work. It worked more at the beginning of failure than toward the end.

that works for me everytime

mine has been blowing hot occasionally on the driver side for like 8 months now. Since it was winter i put it off but now its starting to get hot so looks like ill be ordering a new DCCV soon. Ill tell you guys how the install goes.

can you spike the temp to 90 and back down to 60 and it will work? how about restart the car, will it work then?

 

[5bird7]

Should have joined here a long time ago. I have an 02 Thunderbird with the same AC symptoms described above. It's nearing the end of its extended warranty. local Ford dealer has been giving us the run around on it - says they won't touch it unless it throws a code or is doing it when we come in. Have waited til it happens more often which is now. Looks like I might be better off seeing a Lincoln dealer to get it fixed.

 

[eastcoastLS]

i still have all original a/c componets in my car. just drove 12 hours without turning the a/c off once and it worked the entire way... incredible