IIRC, it's adhesive backed. Any comparable density foam is fine.

 

I received the cooling fans. Installed them and discovered one didn't work. The vendor, Battmech, sent me a another one that same day. (They are closed on Saturday, but Mike went if and got one shipped out on saturday anyway. You don't find custmore service like that much these days!) The replacement one showed up Monday night. I installed it and it ran fine. So now I have two operating cooling fans in the FEH. Here is the FORSCAN data after installation.




===TCM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found
Module: Transmission Control Module
===END TCM DTC None===

===PCM DTC P1000-FF===
Code: P1000 - On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) Systems Readiness Test Not Complete
Module: Powertrain Control Module
Diagnostic Trouble Code details
On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) Systems Readiness Test Not Complete
Follow the routines in the service manual to resolve the DTC listed.
===END PCM DTC P1000-FF===

===OBDII DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found
Module: On Board Diagnostic II
===END OBDII DTC None===

===4X4M DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found
Module: 4X4 Control Module
===END 4X4M DTC None===

===ABS DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found
Module: Antilock braking system
===END ABS DTC None===

===BCM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found
Module: Battery Control Module
===END BCM DTC None===

===EPS DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found
Module: Electronic-Controlled Power Steering
===END EPS DTC None===

===IC DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found
Module: Instrument Cluster
===END IC DTC None===

===RCM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found
Module: Restraint Control Module
===END RCM DTC None===

===GEM DTC B1342-60===
Code: B1342 - MODULE DEFECTIVE
Status (-60):
- DTC Present at Time of Request
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp is Off for this DTC
Module: Generic Electronic Module
Diagnostic Trouble Code details
ECU internal fault
===END GEM DTC B1342-60===

===GEM DTC B106E-20===
Code: B106E - Solid State Driver Disabled Due To Short Circuit
Status (-20):
- Previously Set DTC - Not Present at Time of Request
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp is Off for this DTC
Module: Generic Electronic Module
===END GEM DTC B106E-20===

(WARN) [21:12:05.775] Checking FTDI #1:223030143257...
(OK) [21:12:08.388] Connection to adapter has been established: FTDI #1:223030143257
(OK) [21:12:08.388] Adapter: OBDLink EX r2.5.1 STN2230 v5.8.1 (ELM327 v1.4b)
(OK) [21:12:10.411] Connection to vehicle has been established
(OK) [21:12:12.980] Vehicle: Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner Hybrid HEV / ATKINSON 4V 2.3L 2006 ( 2006 MY ), VIN: 1FM*********06468
(OK) [21:12:13.617] Found module: TCM - Transmission Control Module
(OK) [21:12:13.637] Found module: PCM - Powertrain Control Module
(WARN) [21:12:13.675] DTCs in PCM: P1000-FF
(OK) [21:12:13.887] Found module: OBDII - On Board Diagnostic II
(OK) [21:12:14.109] Found module: 4X4M - 4X4 Control Module
(OK) [21:12:14.144] Found module: ABS - Antilock braking system
(OK) [21:12:14.176] Found module: BCM - Battery Control Module
(OK) [21:12:14.198] Found module: EPS - Electronic-Controlled Power Steering
(OK) [21:12:14.217] Found module: IC - Instrument Cluster
(OK) [21:12:14.240] Found module: RCM - Restraint Control Module
(OK) [21:12:14.821] Found module: GEM - Generic Electronic Module
(WARN) [21:12:14.869] DTCs in GEM: B1342-60, B106E-20
(OK) [21:13:24.098] Successful DTC reset, DTCs will be read now...
(WARN) [21:13:24.169] DTCs in PCM: P1000-FF
(WARN) [21:13:25.010] DTCs in GEM: B1342-60, B106E-20

 

I took it for a drive last night and it ran fine. It is now going into EV mode much more frequently. So that is a good thing. The outside temp was about 75 degrees F. The A/C coming out of the central vent (A/C on max, fan on 3) was about 63-64 degrees. I noticed upon acceleration it would drop to 60, but then increase to 63-64 when I reached cruising speed (didn't matter if it was 45 or 65 mph, it stayed around 63-64 degrees) When I let it idle in the driveway the A/C temp stayed around 64 degrees. Is the temp drop during acceleration pointing to the scroll valve issue?

I put a low pressure gauge on the A/C line. With the A/C still on max and fan at 3, it was a steady 50 PSI. That seems a little high, I don't think it's undercharged. I don't have a high side gauge, so I am limited to that info. Does anyone have a good A/C pressure/temp chart for the A/C system in the FEH? I'm not sure if they are generic or if the pressure/temp relationship is dependent on the type of A/C system.

It's a bit hotter today so I am going to repeat all the tests again to see if I get different results.

Thanks to everyone who has provided assistance to get my FEH fixed and back on the road. I think it's going to be reliable now, just need to the A/C working better so it's "more reliable" and actually comfortable for the people.

 

High/low charts are also ambient temperature dependent, so it's kinda tough.

60 vs 64 is likely just associated with higher rpm and higher airflow vs. idle. The difference would be HUGE if it was the compressor control value... idle performance would be HORRIBLE.

 

I borrowed an A/C manifold gauge set from AutoZone. I hooked it up and ran the FEH for 10 minutes with the A/C on max, fan speed of 3, temp gauge on coldest setting.

Here are the numbers:
OAT: 80 degrees F
A/C vent air temp: 68
Low side pressure: 52 psi
High side pressure: 135 psi
A/C compressor is running continuosly
Engine cooling fan is running

Seems like Low side should be 40-50, so it's a little high, and high side should be 175-210, so it's low.
(This is based on the chart below, not sure if this is the right chart for the FEH, but it's what I could find.)


Based on this chart (from https://www.electronicshub.org/ac-pressure-chart/) makes me think either the compressor is weak or the the compressor scroll valve is bad. Since I'm not seeing the huge vent temperature variation expected between idle to highway driving, I'm guessing it's the compressor and not the scroll valve.


Any thoughts?

 

40-50°F is the expected evap temp. If you can't attain that at a sustained 60mph, then it's not the compressor control valve, i.e., your A/C should work nearly flawlessly after several minutes at highway speed IF it's the control valve. If you can't attain that, I would conclude a weak compressor or maybe the expansion valve?

Forscan reports cabin Evap temp in the PCM and battery Evap temp in the BCM.

 

Thanks S Keith. I think you are correct. I'll take it for another test and capture the FORSCAN data.

If it turns out to be a weak compressor, I think I'll just have to live with it as is. So far the cooling fans are keeping the HVBT in the 29-30 degree range. We'll see when it's 95 degrees outside, might be a different story.

 

This is something to try when temperatures permit. If you turn off cabin air, the battery will still use it when needed. Often, when the A/C is underperforming for total cooling, it performs just fine for ONLY the rear air. I have seen failed compressor control valves that can barely maintain 70-80°F evap temps, but when you turn off the cabin A/C, the rear evap drops to 50-60°F - more than enough cooling to keep the battery happy.

Working fans have likely addressed 90% of your overall issue. Being aware of conditions and limitations moving forward may be all that's required.

FWIW, I replaced a Prius (all electric) compressor for < $300. $95 salvage yard compressor, $75 vacuum pump, $45 new manifold gauges (existing set had been used with incompatible oil), $30 in R-134a and $0 in oil. I accidentally slowly released the refrigerant from the old system through the manifold gauge into a container that collected a very small amount of oil, collected the oil from the old and the "new" compressors and put 75% of that back into the "new". Sucked it down, held vacuum overnight and simply filled with R-134a. It's on it's second summer in Phoenix, AZ. Currently 110°F. Of the four Prii in the stable, it's the car we take when the whole family goes somewhere because it has the best A/C