[mattdrnbrgr]

Today my main A/C temperature control dial on my ‘08 Escape Hybrid stopped working. The temperature setting is stuck and won’t change when I rotate the knob. All the other dials work - volume, tuning, fan power, passenger temp - this is the only one that has stopped working. Any idea of how to fix this?

I’ve tried detaching the LV battery to reset the whole system but that just reset the set temp to 75, and it still won’t change from there. This makes me think it might be that the dial itself has just worn out? That seems like it’d be a pain to replace though.

Also note that the A/C itself still works perfectly fine, I just can’t adjust the temperature anymore. I also recall this same thing happening to me once in the past, but I don’t know how I got it resolved.

 

[Mountain Escape]

Today my main A/C temperature control dial on my ‘08 Escape Hybrid stopped working. The temperature setting is stuck and won’t change when I rotate the knob. All the other dials work - volume, tuning, fan power, passenger temp - this is the only one that has stopped working. Any idea of how to fix this?

I’ve tried detaching the LV battery to reset the whole system but that just reset the set temp to 75, and it still won’t change from there. This makes me think it might be that the dial itself has just worn out? That seems like it’d be a pain to replace though.

Also note that the A/C itself still works perfectly fine, I just can’t adjust the temperature anymore. I also recall this same thing happening to me once in the past, but I don’t know how I got it resolved.

Hi Matt, welcome
Hmmm, sounds kind of like a wire came unplugged, Or a wire that was breaking, broke… Have you ever torn apart your dash before? It's easy. You can see a YouTube video on it

does anything happen when you hit the sync button, to eliminate separate passenger control?

have you tried the Fonzie trick?

You wouldn't replace just the dial, you would swap the entire control unit… Salvage yard would be fine, You might have to relearn the module, but I wouldn't think so if you get one out of the exact same year range.

 

[mattdrnbrgr]

Hi Matt, welcome
Hmmm, sounds kind of like a wire came unplugged, Or a wire that was breaking, broke… Have you ever torn apart your dash before? It's easy. You can see a YouTube video on it

does anything happen when you hit the sync button, to eliminate separate passenger control?

have you tried the Fonzie trick?

You wouldn't replace just the dial, you would swap the entire control unit… Salvage yard would be fine, You might have to relearn the module, but I wouldn't think so if you get one out of the exact same year range.

Thanks for the advice. The dial still doesn’t work no matter what other control inputs I do. And yes I have tried the Fonzie trick lol

I had never taken apart the dash before, but I followed a YouTube video and was able to do it. Doesn’t seem like any wires are unplugged, at least on the controls side. I can’t see the other end of them though. I also did get curious and opened up the A/C control unit itself. I can’t for the life of me figure out how these dials interface with the circuit board? For the buttons, there are obvious contact points that they push on, but the dials don’t seem to have anywhere that they transfer their input to the board.

 

[Mountain Escape]

I can’t for the life of me figure out how these dials interface with the circuit board?

maybe a magnet... I would do a side-by-side compare, and see if there is anything obvious like a magnet missing.
There are two little square shaped metal panels, that I believe are the contacts. Inspect circuit board for anything that looks different from the side that functions.(squares are contact points)

use a paperclip, and see if it sticks to anything, then make sure it is sticking to the same parts on the different knobs(circled what might be magnets)

it does not look like you could swap knob sides, but when you reassemble, make sure the knobs seat correctly, maybe one was out of position to make contact

I think you will need to swap it, even if you did locate the issue

 

[dwightbresemann]

Check to see if the blend door is working.

 

[dwightbresemann]

If you remove a blend door actuator, DO NOT test with actuator out. It will go beyond its normal travel and destroy itself.

 

[dwightbresemann]

Check to see if the air temp sensor is attached and working.

 

[dwightbresemann]

There are 2 more sensors inside the vehicle. Do you have access to an enhanced scanner to read PIDs or codes?

 

[dwightbresemann]

Try reading codes through the self demand test.

 

[dwightbresemann]

You can also try to reboot the system. Pull fuses F15 & F37, both 10amp. Wait one min, install fuses turn key on (do not crank), wait another minute. Do not touch A/C controls during reboot.

 

[dwightbresemann]

Another chart.

 

[dwightbresemann]

One other thing. Lift the black rubber mat carefully from the circuit board. I wonder if it's a carbon impregnated rubber used to complete a circuit when pressed. Like a key FOD. If so, clean both sides, circuit contacts and the rubber contacts with 90 rubbing Alcohol.