Control Components
Control Components
Electronic Manual Temperature Control (EMTC)
The Electronic Manual Temperature Control (EMTC) components are used to select:
- air inlet source (outside or recirculated).
- blower motor speed.
- discharge air temperature (temperature blend).
- discharge air location (defrost, panel, floor).
- A/C compressor operation.
Control System Inputs
The EMTC system has 2 system control inputs.
HVAC Module
The HVAC module integrates the temperature control, airflow mode selection, A/C request button, recirculated air request button and rear defog switch into a single unit.
The temperature control switch setting determines air temperature. Movement of the temperature display from COOL (blue) to WARM (red) causes a corresponding movement of the temperature blend door and determines the air discharge temperature that the air distribution system will maintain. The temperature control switch is an integral part of the HVAC module and cannot be separately replaced.
The A/C request button determines A/C compressor operation, except when the function selected is in the OFF, MAX or DEFROST mode. The A/C request button is an integral part of the HVAC module and cannot be separately replaced.
The recirculated air request button can select recirculated air in any mode except DEFROST, and fresh air in any mode except MAX A/C or OFF.
The rear defog button signals activation of the heated backlight. The rear defog button is an integral part of the HVAC module and cannot be installed separately.
The HVAC module is not equipped with self-test capabilities.
Blower Motor Switch
The blower motor switch is mounted in the climate control module and controls blower motor speed by adding or bypassing resistors in the blower motor resistor in all modes except OFF.
Control System Outputs
The EMTC system has 4 system outputs.
Blower Motor Speed
The blower motor speed switch varies the blower motor ground circuit resistance by adding or bypassing series resistance in the blower motor resistor. Increased resistance will lower the blower motor speed, and lowered resistance will increase blower motor speed. When the blower motor is in the HI (4) position, the blower motor resistor is bypassed.
The blower motor resistor is located on the heater core and evaporator core housing behind the glove compartment.
Temperature Blend Door Position
The temperature blend door actuator moves the temperature blend door on command from the HVAC module.
The temperature blend door actuator contains a reversible electric motor and a potentiometer. The potentiometer circuit consists of a 5-volt reference signal connected to one end of a variable resistor, and a signal ground connected to the other. A signal circuit is connected to a contact wiper, which is driven along the variable resistor by the actuator shaft. The signal to the HVAC module from the contact wiper indicates the position of the temperature blend door. The HVAC module powers the actuator motor to move the temperature blend door to the desired position. The desired position is set by the vehicle occupants using the temperature selector knob.
The temperature blend door actuator is located on the heater core and evaporator core housing.
Airflow Mode Door Position
The airflow mode door actuator uses a cam and lever assembly to position the airflow mode doors on command from the HVAC module. The mode door actuator contains a reversible electric motor and potentiometer. The potentiometer allows the HVAC module to monitor the position of the airflow mode doors. The potentiometer circuit consists of a 5-volt reference signal connected to one end of a variable resistor, and a signal ground connected to the other. A signal circuit is connected to a contact wiper, which is driven along the variable resistor by the actuator shaft. The signal to the HVAC module from the contact wiper indicates the position of the airflow mode doors. The HVAC module powers the actuator motor to move the airflow mode doors to the desired position. The desired position is set by the vehicle occupants using the mode selector buttons.
The airflow (defrost/panel/floor) mode door actuator is located on the heater core and evaporator core housing to the right of the steering column.
Air Inlet Mode Door Position
The air inlet mode door actuator moves the air inlet door between the fresh and RECIRC positions on command from the HVAC module. The air inlet mode door actuator is driven to, and will automatically stop at, the full RECIRC or full fresh air inlet position and does not require a potentiometer circuit to monitor its position. The air inlet mode door does not stop at any point between the RECIRC or fresh air inlet position.
The air inlet mode door actuator is located on the air inlet duct behind the glove compartment.
Dual-Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC)
The HVAC module analyzes input from the following major sources:
- Temperature, airflow direction, blower, A/C and RECIRC selection (made by the vehicle occupants)
- In-vehicle temperature sensor
- Ambient temperature sensor
- Solar radiation sensor
- Vehicle speed
- Engine coolant temperature
Using these inputs, the dual-zone HVAC module determines the correct conditions for the following outputs:
- A/C compressor operation
- Blower speed
- RH and LH temperature blend door positions
- Defrost/panel/floor airflow mode door position
- Air inlet door position
Control System Inputs
The dual-zone EATC system has 4 control system inputs.
HVAC Module
The HVAC module provides an interface for the vehicle occupants to control the climate control system, or automatically controls the climate control system in the AUTO mode. The HVAC module displays set temperature, airflow direction, blower speed and DTCs. An On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) feature is incorporated to supply the technician with DTCs. These DTCs help direct the technician to the inoperative component.
In-Vehicle Temperature Sensor
The in-vehicle temperature sensor contains a thermistor, which measures the in-vehicle air temperature and sends that reading to the HVAC module. An aspirator hose is connected between the heater core and evaporator core housing and the in-vehicle temperature sensor. The aspirator hose uses airflow through the heater core and evaporator core housing to create a Venturi-type suction to draw in vehicle air through the in-vehicle temperature sensor (across the thermistor).
The in-vehicle temperature sensor is located on the instrument cluster finish panel (Taurus or Sable) or on the instrument panel (Taurus X) to the right of the steering column.
Sunload Sensor (Solar Radiation Sensor)
The solar radiation sensor supplies information to the dual-zone HVAC module indicating sunload. When sunload is detected, the information from the sensor is used to lower the A/C temperature output to compensate for radiant heat warming the vehicle interior and occupants.
Ambient Temperature Sensor
The ambient temperature sensor signal is received by the HVAC module and indicates the outside air temperature. The ambient temperature sensor is located in front of the radiator below the bumper beam.
The ambient temperature sensor signal is not the sole factor considered by the HVAC module for the outside air temperature display. Therefore, the ambient temperature PID monitored with a scan tool may not exactly match the HVAC module display.
Control System Outputs
The dual-zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC) system has 4 control system outputs. When operating in AUTO mode, the control system outputs will be automatically adjusted by the HVAC module.
NOTE: Each of the 4 control system outputs may be overridden by the passenger if desired.
Blower Motor Speed
The blower motor speed control controls the blower motor speed by converting low power signals from the HVAC module to a high-current, variable ground feed for the blower motor. A delay function is used to provide a gradual increase or decrease in blower motor speed under all conditions.
The blower motor speed control is located on the heater core and evaporator core housing near the blower motor.
Temperature Blend Door Position
The dual-zone EATC system uses 2 temperature blend door actuators to control 2 separate temperature blend doors. The temperature blend doors independently vary the LH side and RH side temperature settings, as desired. The temperature blend door actuators each contain a reversible electric motor and a potentiometer. The potentiometer circuit consists of a 5-volt reference signal connected to one end of a variable resistor, and a signal ground connected to the other. A signal circuit is connected to a contact wiper, which is driven along the variable resistor by the actuator shaft. The signal to the HVAC module from the contact wiper indicates the position of the temperature blend door. The HVAC module powers the actuator motors to move the temperature blend doors to the desired positions. The desired temperature blend door positions are calculated by the HVAC module based on the set temperature, in-vehicle temperature, ambient temperature and sunload.
The LH temperature blend door actuator is located on the heater core and evaporator core housing near the accelerator pedal. The RH temperature blend door actuator is located on the heater core and evaporator core housing to the left of the glove compartment.
Airflow Mode Door Position
The airflow mode door actuator uses a cam and lever assembly to position the airflow mode doors on command from the HVAC module. The mode door actuator contains a reversible electric motor and potentiometer. The potentiometer allows the HVAC module to monitor the position of the airflow mode doors. The potentiometer circuit consists of a 5-volt reference signal connected to one end of a variable resistor, and a signal ground connected to the other. A signal circuit is connected to a contact wiper, which is driven along the variable resistor by the actuator shaft. The signal to the HVAC module from the contact wiper indicates the position of the airflow mode doors. The HVAC module powers the actuator motor to move the airflow mode doors to the desired position. The HVAC module determines the desired airflow mode door position based on the calculated outlet temperature.
The airflow (defrost/panel/floor) mode door actuator is located on the heater core and evaporator core housing to the right of the steering column.
Air Inlet Mode Door Position
The air inlet mode door actuator moves the air inlet door between the fresh and RECIRC positions on command from the HVAC module. The air inlet mode door actuator is driven to, and will automatically stop at, the full RECIRC or full fresh air inlet position and does not require a potentiometer circuit to monitor its position. The air inlet mode door does not stop at any point between the RECIRC or fresh air inlet position.
The air inlet mode door actuator is located on the air inlet duct behind the glove compartment.