Air Conditioning - DATC Operation/Service
Article No.00-8-8
DATE:
04/17/2000
AIR CONDITIONING - DATC OPERATION - SERVICE TIP
LINCOLN: 2000 LS
ISSUE
Lincoln LS vehicles built after October 1999, have a revised DATC Module and the owners manual description of the DATC module control operation does not match the operation of the device.
ACTION
The correct description of the features of the DATC module is listed below.
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM
Dual Automatic Temperature Control (DATC) System
Figure 1:
The Dual Automatic Temperature Control (DATC) system will maintain a selected temperature and automatically control air flow.
You can override the automatic operation with any of the override controls.
The dual temperature zone feature allows the driver and front passenger to set their own independent temperature set points for individual comfort. The system uses common controls for air distribution and fan speed for both driver and passenger.
Figure 1:
Turning the DATC System On
Press AUTO, any of the override controls, the fan speed control, or either of the temperature selection controls. The DATC system will only operate when the ignition is in the run position.
Figure 3:
Turning the DATC System Off
Press OFF. The outside temperature (EXT) function (if selected) will continue to operate until the ignition is turned off.
Figure 4:
DATC Automatic Operation
Press AUTO and select the desired temperature. The selected temperature will appear in the display window, and an indicator above the AUTO control will light. The DATC system will either heat or cool the vehicle to achieve the selected temperature. The system will automatically determine the fan speed, airflow location and whether outside or recirculated air is required.
When in AUTO and the weather conditions require heat, the DATC directs the majority of the airflow to the floor area. The system will allow some airflow out of the defroster and demister outlets and the outer instrument panel registers in order to reduce window fogging. Additionally, if the engine is not warm enough to provide heat, the fan will operate at a low speed and the airflow will be directed to the windshield or to the floor. In 3 1/2 minutes or less, the fan speed will start to increase and the airflow location will change to the floor area.
When in AUTO mode, the DATC system automatically controls the air conditioning operation, the fan speed, the airflow direction and determines whether outside or recirculated air is required. Manual control of the A/C, air recirculation and fan speed are available in the AUTO mode.
If unusual conditions exist, (i.e. window fogging), the manual override controls allow you to select airflow locations as necessary. To return to full automatic control, press the AUTO control.
Figure 5:
DATC System AUTO Temperature Balance
Press and hold the AUTO control for about two seconds to equalize the passenger set temperature with the driver side temperature. This feature is useful when the driver is alone in the vehicle.
Figure 6:
Driver Side Temperature Selection
The display window indicates the selected temperature and the manual control of fan speed if automatic fan speed is not desired.
To control the temperature, select any temperature between 19C (65F) and 29C (85F) by pressing the temperature control on the driver side of the system.
For continuous maximum cooling, press the temperature control until 16C (60F) is shown in the display window. The DATC will continue maximum cooling (disregarding the displayed temperature) until a warmer temperature is selected by pressing the temperature control. It maximum cooling is selected, the passenger set point is not displayed and the passenger temperature adjustments will be disabled.
For continuous maximum heating, press the temperature control until 32C (90F) is shown in the display window. The DATC will continue maximum heating (disregarding the displayed temperature) until a cooler temperature is selected by pressing the temperature control. If maximum heating is selected, the passenger set point is not displayed and the passenger temperature adjustments will be disabled.
A change of the driver-selected temperature to a temperature other than 16C (60F) or 32C (90F) will display the passenger set point. The passenger side set point will increase or decrease along with the driver side temperature set point until a change is made using the passenger temperature control.
Figure 7:
Passenger Side Temperature Selection
To control the temperature, select any temperature between 19C (65F) and 29C (85F) by pressing the temperature control on the passenger side of the system.
If the driver side temperature selection is set for maximum cooling (16C (60F) ) or maximum heating (32C (90F) ), the passenger side temperature adjustments will be disabled and the passenger set point will not be displayed.
Figure 8:
Temperature Conversion
Press the Fahrenheit/Celsius (F C) control to switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature on the DATC display only. The set point temperatures in Celsius will be displayed in half-degree increments.
The English/Metric control on the trip computer and message center (if equipped) will not change the DATC temperature display. Refer to Electronic Message Center in the Instrumentation chapter of the Owners Guide.
Figure 9:
Fan Speed
When AUTO is pressed, fan speed is adjusted automatically for existing conditions. You can override fan speed at any time. To control fan speed manually, press the fan control to cancel automatic fan speed operation. Press the control up for higher fan speed or down for lower fan speed. The display will show a fan icon and a bar graph to indicate manual fan speed operation and relative speed.
When the fan is adjusted in the AUTO mode, the AUTO indicator will remain lit and the system will remain in auto operation.
To return to automatic fan operation, press AUTO. The fan icon and bar graph will disappear from the display, and the DATC system will return to full automatic operation.
Figure 10:
A/C Control
Used to manually enable or disable the operation of the air conditioning in all modes except defrost. In all modes, the air conditioning will only function if the outside temperature is about 2C (35F) or higher. When manual A/C is selected (ON) the indicator will be lit. When manual A/C is selected (OFF) the indicator will not be lit.
In DEFROST mode, if the outside temperature is about 2C (35F) or higher the air conditioner will automatically dehumidify the air to reduce window fogging. However the A/C indicator will be off and the A/C override control cannot be selected.
When AUTO is selected, the A/C operates automatically for existing conditions. With automatic A/C operation, the A/C indicator will be lit if the outside temperature is about 2C (35F) or higher. You may override the automatic A/C operation at any time. To manually control the A/C operation and cancel automatic A/C operation, press the A/C control. When the A/C is manually controlled in the AUTO mode, the AUTO indicator will remain lit. To return to automatic A/C operation, press AUTO.
Recirculation control
Figure 11:
Used to manually enable or disable the operation of the recirculated air operation in all modes except defrost. The use of recirculated air when the air conditioning is operating helps reduce the amount of time to cool down the interior of the vehicle in very hot conditions. Recirculated air may also help to keep undesirable outside odors from reaching the vehicle interior. It is recommended to allow the DATC system to automatically control the selection of outside or recirculated air.
The recirculation control cannot be selected in the DEFROST mode, as interior fogging can occur.
In FLOOR and FLOOR/DEFROST modes the DATC system will automatically return to outside air to help reduce window fogging when the recirculation air control is selected. The amount of time in manual Recirculated Air depends on ambient temperature.
When AUTO is selected, the recirculated air feature operates automatically for existing conditions. You may override the automatic recirculated air operation at any time. To manually control the recirculated air operation and cancel automatic recirculated air operation, press the recirculated air control. When the recirculated air is manually controlled in the AUTO mode, the AUTO indicator light will remain lit. To return to full automatic recirculated air operation, press AUTO.
Do not leave the DATC system in recirculated air operation for extended periods of time while the system is in a heating mode or in cold/damp conditions as this may cause interior fogging of the front, side and rear windows.
Figure 12:
Manual Override Controls
The manual override controls allow you to manually determine where airflow is directed. To return to fully automatic control, press AUTO.
When a manual airflow override control is selected, the DATC system will turn off the AUTO indicator and display the indicators of all operating override controls. More than one override control indicator may turn on when an override control is selected.
The air conditioning compressor can operate in all modes except OFF. However, the air conditioning will only function if the outside temperature is about 2C (35F) or higher.
Since the air conditioner removes considerable moisture from the air during operation, it is normal if clear water drips on the ground under the air conditioner drain while the system is working and even after you have stopped the vehicle.
Airflow Direction Control (Panel) - Distributes air through the instrument panel, and center console registers.
(Panel/Floor) - Distributes air through the instrument panel and center console registers, and the front and rear seat floor ducts. For added customer comfort, the air distributed through the floor ducts may be slightly warmer than the air sent to the instrument panel registers.
(Floor) - Distributes air through the front and rear seat floor ducts. The system will allow some airflow out the defroster ducts, demister outlets and outer instrument panel registers.
(Floor/Defrost) - Distributes air through the windshield defroster ducts, the demister outlets and the front and rear floor ducts. The system will allow some airflow out the outer instrument panel registers. When Floor/Defrost is selected, if the outside temperature is about 2C (35F) or higher, the air conditioner will automatically dehumidify the air to reduce window fogging. For added customer comfort, the air distributed through the floor ducts may be slightly warmer than the air sent to the windshield defroster ducts. When Floor/Defrost is selected the system will automatically provide outside air to reduce window fogging. Recirculation and A/C override controls can be selected.
(Defrost) - Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster ducts and the demister outlets. It can be used to clear ice or fog from the windshield. The system will allow some airflow out the outer instrument panel registers. If the outside temperature is about 2C (35F) or higher, the air conditioner will automatically dehumidify the air to reduce window fogging. (Note that the A/C indicator does not illuminate when this mode is selected.) Recirculation and A/C override controls cannot be selected.
Turn DATC off
Off - Outside air is shut out. The fan, heating and air conditioning will not operate. The outside temperature will still display when selected with the ignition in the run position.
Electric window heaters
(Heated Wiper Rest) - Located at the base of the windshield, this feature heats the front glass area below the area heated by the defroster where the windshield wipers sit in their parked position. When activated, the feature keeps the wiper blades warm and reduces the chance of ice build up on the blades. The indicator will light when the feature is in operation.
With the ignition in RUN and the engine running, the feature will be automatically enabled if the outside temperature is below 5C (40F). The feature can be manually selected or deselected at any time. However, the automatic feature will be enabled each time the engine is started.
In cold, dry conditions where wet snow or ice is not present it is acceptable to manually deselect the operation of this feature.
The feature will run continuously unless a low battery condition is detected, or unless the feature is manually deselected, and will only activate when the vehicle engine is running (to prevent excessive drain on the vehicle battery).
(Rear Window Defroster) - Refer to Rear Window Defroster setion of the Owners Guide.
Figure 13:
Displaying Outside Temperature
Press EXT to display the outside air temperature. It will remain selected until the EXT control is pushed again.
If the driver or passenger temperature or the fan speed is changed, or the AUTO or DEFROST modes selected while the outside temperature is displayed, the driver and passenger temperature display will be displayed for 4 seconds. Following this, the outside temperature display will return to the window.
If the outside temperature is displayed while the DATC system is in the OFF mode and the DATC is turned on, the driver and passenger temperatures will be displayed for 4 seconds. Following this, the outside temperature display will return to the window.
The outside temperature reading is most accurate when the vehicle is moving. Higher readings may be obtained when the vehicle is not moving. The readings may not agree with temperatures given on the radio due to differences in vehicle and station locations.
Operating Tips
In humid weather, select DEFROST and REAR WINDOW DEFROST before driving. This will reduce fogging on your windshield. After a few minutes, select any desired position.
To prevent humidity buildup inside the vehicle, don't drive with the climate control in the OFF position.
DO NOT leave the DATC system in recirculated air mode for extended periods of time while the system is in a heating mode or in cold or damp conditions as this may cause interior fogging of the front, side and rear windows.
Don't put objects under the front seat that will interfere with the airflow to the back seats.
Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area (at the bottom of the windshield).
If your vehicle has been parked with the windows closed during hot weather, the air conditioner will do a much faster job of cooling if you drive for two or three minutes with the windows open. This will force most of the hot, stale air out of the vehicle. Then operate the air conditioner as you would normally.
If the air conditioner works well with the recirculation feature on, but not in the outside air mode, this may indicate that the cabin air filter needs to be replaced.
When placing objects on top of your instrument panel, be careful to not place them over the defroster outlets These objects can block airflow and reduce your ability to see through your windshield. Also, avoid placing small objects on top of your instrument panel. These objects can fall down into the defroster outlets and block airflow and possibly damage your climate control system.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES: 208000, 208200, 208999