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As I said, I doubt all Aviator HVAC systems function (or malfunction, as in your case) the same way. I'm not trying to minimize your plight either, I'd be upset as well if my Aviator worked liked yours. I certainly hope both Lincoln and your dealer step up to fix your Aviator appropriately. However, I also don't think your being fair by portraying your Aviator as "typical" either.
Further, with all due respect the HVAC problem is definately NOT something that can be discovered during the purchase phase unless a dealer lets you drive one for an hour in temperatures less than 20 degrees. Most will not let you put on that many miles, much less try to sell one when it is minus 25 outside. In fact, my dealer had it indoors warming up when I arrived for a test drive. I am glad to know that the A/C works well though.
If you would like to see what it is like for us, open your windows on a nice cold morning in AZ, set the heater to 74 and see how thermally comfortable driving down the road at 65 mph with your arm out the window while the heater broils your feet and legs.
Also, please don't attack me because I live in Arizona. The temperature this morning here in Tempe was 41 degrees and it does warm up nicely by mid afternoon. However, as I stated in my last post, Flagstaff can get just as cold as you do, with recent night time lows at 10 degrees. My Aviator heated just fine in the 30 degree weather I saw this past weekend, so obviously, NOT ALL Aviators have an HVAC problem. According to heyjewel, who has lived with this problem with his LS, he noticed this problem on a Aviator he test drove, so why can't anyone else? Probably because you didn't think to look for it, nor should you.
All I can say is that I sympathize with your plight. I honestly wish you luck at getting it fixed sooner rather than later.
To be fair: both the dealer service and the regional Field Service Engineer, Dan Donlevy, told me it's within spec even though Dan sat in the car and measured 104 degrees out the center stack, 60 degrees out the demisters. Dan says factory told him it's in spec. He expressed incredulity, but offered no further help.
To be fairer: Mainly, I'm happy with Lincoln and by extension, Ford, or I wouldn't be driving a 2001 LS and a 2004 Navigator. That said, when customers have complaints, they should be handled properly every time. Not just most of the time.
No error codes were being thrown, so of course, the tech said, "no problem found" on the first visit. Fine. Next warm day we had, and it was doing it again, I drove it in, demanded that the service manager take a ride with me. Within 1 mile, it turned to hot, and as we were sweating in the car, I asked him if he thought that was "within specs". He agreed it wasn't, and begged me to take him back to the store. Strangely enough, it was fixed. A bad expansion valve.
They're machines, and you're gonna have issues sometimes. You just have to be smart about it, and persistent. I have very few problems with my Lincolns, but when one does surface, we work it out.
Also, what type of stereo do you have? Navigation? DVD Video ?
Just curious if any of these had an effect on the type of ducting they used in the vehicles. Thanks.
Just drove 2003 Aviator with navigation and DVD entertainment that functions the same way with the climate control.
22 degrees today, so the cold air is not as dramatic, but it does it nevertheless.
Just got back from a nice drive in the mountains with my wife and daugther (we all had President's Day off today). We took the Apache Trail (AZ Rte 88) from the Phoenix area all the way to Roosevelt Lake, about 78 miles (22 of which are unpaved washboard, narrow and twisty often on a cliff-like ledge). The Aviator does a fine job of smoothing out the rough spots and has ample power for climbing. Aside from the issue discussed below, the new Aviator facilitated a very enjoyable trip.
Once I got to the unpaved section of road, I couldn't get the AWD system to change from <Auto> mode to <Locked> mode, which according to the owners manual should be selectable via the message center if the vehicle has AdvanceTrac (which mine does). I've already scheduled a visit to my dealer tomorrow to either get a lesson in how to change AWD modes, or get the ball rolling on investigating why it's not working.
Temps are in the 70s here in Phoenix today, and upper 50s up by Roosevelt Lake. No HVAC system problems detected today, but it wasn't cold enough anyway.
I'm familiar with that drive too, Chris. Beautiful (except for the presence of seemingly enuf power lines for the entire planet!:>) scenery. I made a couple of good photos of Roosevelt at sunset while there.
Enjoy that Aviator.
When I got to the dealer today, I immediately saw the Shop Foreman (a Certified Master Technician). I demonstrated the procedure the Owners Manual specifies to change the AWD mode from <Auto> to <Locked>. My vehicle will not change modes despite the fact that I have the AdvanceTrac feature (which is a prerequisite). He promptly took the vehicle back to the shop (which is HUGE and Immaculate) and started diagnostics on it. My salesman (who was also waiting for me to arrive) took me out to another Ultimate AWD Aviator with AdvanceTrac that was on the lot, and we verified that, indeed, the AWD mode can be changed with a few pushes of the Message Center buttons.
We then walked back to the shop where the shop foreman was doing a diagnostic check using the WDS system. After about 30 minutes, he was satisfied that the transfer case was throwing two different diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P18XX (I don't recall the specific codes to replace the XX with). Unfortunately, Ford's shop manuals are not sufficiently up to date on the 2004 Aviator to indicate what these codes mean or how to disposition the vehicle (the Shop Foreman and another technician were using Ford's online technician support web service to access the latest shop manuals). Not only that, but Ford's Hot Line is down until 5 PM today.
The Shop Foreman scheduled another appointment for this Friday and told me he will continue to investigate this matter between now and then. This could be nothing more than an improper ground wire connection to an infant mortality of a circuit board in the transfer case, to god only knows. The ball will be placed in Ford's court as soon as the Hot Line reopens late this afternoon and the request for additional diagnostic support can be made. Stay tuned.
Has this problem been fixed or addressed?
It turns out, the diagnostic codes my transfer case was throwing were codes that should only come from a Ford Explorer transfer case! The Explorer 4X4 module on the transfer case was erroneously installed at the factory. Doh!!! This completely explains why the DTCs weren't in the Lincoln Manuals . . . they shouldn't be there at all. How this vehicle passed final assembly QA is beyond me . . .
The correct 4X4 module should arrive at the dealership today, but the Hotline Engineer the Shop Foreman was working with isn't at work today and they still need to work through some other checks/diagnostics to ensure proper AWD functionality. Apparently there is still a concern that the Instrument Cluster and the Hybrid Electronic Control (HEC) module aren't communicating properly on the data bus. If the Instrument Cluster module has a problem, it will also need to be replaced, which means that it must be removed, FedEx'd to Ford for the data to be transfered to a new Instrument Cluster, and FedEx'd back to the dealership. The odometer data cannot be transferred from one module to another in the field . . . it can only be done by Ford. I'm told by the Shop Foreman that would be a worst case scenario, but that they won't know for sure until the correct 4X4 module is replaced and further diagnostics can be completed.
Boy, initial quality really took it in the shorts on this one!
Geez, that's pretty pathetic. Maybe u should just tell em to swap vehicles for you. Especially if they have to R&R the instrument cluster on a brand new vehicle. Not even a good idea on an old car. Also, who knows what else is wrong. Maybe your Aviator has an Explorer engine too? Maybe contacting the people you know at Lincoln would help - you're such an advocate for the brand they shouldn't allow this to happen to you.
I think I'll look more carefully under the hood of my Navigator. Make sure there are 8 cylinders.
As far as engine power is concerned, this thing hauls [non-permissible content removed] and powers up the paved mountain grades like few sports cars can! You'll not hear me complain about being underpowered in this Aviator.
My Shop Foreman isn't the least bit concerned about pulling the IP cluster if need be. They've done it often enough on other vehicles for various reasons that it's not that big of a deal. The issue that bugs the Foreman is having to send the unit back to Ford because it needs to be replaced . . . it's just a pain in the neck to have the vehicle in the shop for 2 days or more for the process to complete let alone the inconvience to the customer. At least my dealer will be providing us with a loaner Aviator once it goes back.
Send me a note at jaceb@aol.com (Home) and I will give you my contact info. Seems that we may have greater effect if we work together on this, given our proximity.
Best regards,
Jace
P.S. Unbelievably, I have a similar issue with my dash lighting, I thought it was just my eyes going bad on me as I would catch it out of the corner of my eye. I finally saw it actually happen last week, but ascribed it to having had my entire dash yanked out.
So, maybe the HVAC "defect" is really a message that your windshield washer fluid is low???
I only wish the HVAC system was telling me to replace my washer fluid - that would be great! I think it's an engineering problem, and I don't expect Lincoln will admit that this is really a problem, and therefore, I don't expect they'll look to solve it (although I wish they would). Thanks for your optimism. I'll keep at it until problems solved.
By the way, I was told this alternator technical service bulletin applies to some Mercury Mountaineers as well.
The Shop Foreman, being a very sharp guy with excellent customer service skills, told me that he has put in a request with HIS management to cannibalize an Aviator off of their lot in order to get me squared away. I'm skeptical dealer management will go along with this, but I've got my fingers crossed. To be continued . . .
Replacement of the 4X4 module necessitates the removal/disassembly of the center console of the interior. Not only will my vehicle have to undergo this procedure, but another new Aviator on their lot will go through this as well. I'm amazed (but appreciative) my dealer is willing to do this. While I'm not thrilled about having my center console removed on my brand new Aviator, I'm sure there isn't a better place to get it done (aside from doing it right the first time on the assembly line). Of course, there's still the matter of performing another round of diagnostics after the 4X4 module is replaced, and everyone is hoping that nothing more needs to be done.
New alternator: Lights in dash still flashing. We'll try it again.
I got a call at 3 PM indicating that my Aviator was now fully functional and just needed the correct 4X4 electronic module to set things right. Interior disassembly required to complete the work turned out to much less invasive than had been expected, with only the center console needing to be shifted back. The gear shift lever panels and forward weren't even touched. It turns out the module resides in the location where a hand actuated parking-brake lever would be located. Once they installed the correct module (which was taken from one of the new Aviators on the sales lot), all was well and full electronic communications between the main bus and all electronic modules and sensors had been confirmed.
I picked up my Aviator at 5 PM and carefully inspected the interior. Not only was everything reinstalled such that you'd never know they had worked on the center console, the interior AND exterior had been fully cleaned. It looks and drives like new (as it should)!
The Lincoln Mercury North Scottsdale dealership did a FABULOUS job for me. I'll be getting a letter off to Ford Motor Company and Lincoln Mercury to let them know I appreciated the level of care this dealer showed to me.
My first time posting here. My Aviator is an 03 Premium 4X2. Just reading on the flickerings lights. I am experiencing the same problem. Ill be going to the dealer on Tuesday. Ill advise on the outcome.
I haven't read it mentioned, but has anyone heard a soft noise coming from the dash every couple of minutes or so. It sounds kind of like a a circuit frying. It lasts for about 1/2 sec. Really gets on my nerves-kinda start listening for it. Maybe it will be corrected if the alternator corrects the flickering.
I live in El Paso, Tx and experienced with problem with the HVAC. I purchased the vehicle in Jan so it was in the 30's at night. I tried to set the system at a comfortable 71. The dash vents were blasting cold air and the floor vent was burning my right leg. I didn't think it was a problem at first. I thought I was was not setting it properly. I have an 01 BMW 330i where all I do is set the temp at 71 and it takes care of it self. No messing with it after that. The Aviator requires constant manual changes. I feel for those that actually live in cold climates. I"ll wait and see how it performs in the hot weather--not as hot as Phoenix :-)
Does your aviator have a auto-dimming rear view mirror? I had to have mine replaced and 'sounds' like it could have been what I was hearing. Maybe that was the fix for me?
my vehicle does not come with the auto mirror. I thought it would for 45g's, msrp. I was loaned an '03 continental during this time and noticed the same frying sound. i couldn't believe it. The hvac system works fine in this vehicle. set it at 70 and it wasn't blasting my face with cold air nor burning my leg.
spoke with the dealer today and they advised that a voltage regulator was at fault for the flickering lights