Random Blast of Air At Highway Speeds

[Deleted member 5352]

Sounds weird, I know. This has been an issue repetitive enough to post and see if anyone else is experiencing this.

So, I'll driving along on the highway averaging between 75-80 mph. The a/c is on low with the fan speed typically on one, maybe two. And then, out of nowhere, I get this massive burst of air coming through the vents. It's as if someone turned up the fan speed to max. It does it without warning and for no rhyme or reason. My '22 Maverick and my mom's '23 Bronco Sport did the same thing. It's only at highway speeds.

It'll last for a couple of minutes and then go away on its own. It's the strangest thing. I mean, it's not so much a bad thing. It could be worse. It could turn off completely and quickly into a sweatbox but at least, in this case, it's just random bursts of air.

Has anyone else had this issue? If so, is there a diagnosis for it? Maybe there's a reason it does it. I don't know. All I can say is I've had a car that did this.

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[RockHoundTX]

My '23 does it as well. Figured there was some rational reason why (temperature too far out of range? Keep coils from freezing? etc.). Doesn't seem to harm anything and don't see any difference in engine power draw when it happens.

 

[Dad]

Do you have the AC setting on Auto?

 

[Deleted member 5352]

Do you have the AC setting on Auto?

Nope. Just on fan speed one with recirculation on.

 

[Dad]

Nope. Just on fan speed one with recirculation on.

I'd have your dealer check it out. I don't know of any user setting that would account for such odd behavior (other than the auto setting). Please keep us informed.

 

[MavMeister25]

I’ve noticed the same.

These Mavericks seem to have a mind of their own with regard to heat and AC. Even when it’s not on auto, the fan speed randomly changes. Also the AC itself randomly turns on and off, and so does the recirculate button. I’ve just accepted the fact that you can’t get around the automatic operation.

 

[Deleted member 5352]

I'd have your dealer check it out. I don't know of any user setting that would account for such odd behavior (other than the auto setting). Please keep us informed.

They probably won't be able to do anything about it. It'll be one of those "we can't replicate it" visits that gets me nowhere. I'm not even gonna waste my time. Plus, I'm not on the highway that often for it to be a real problem. It doesn't affect driveability or engine draw like the first member said. It seems to be one of those Maverick quirks that I'll have to put up with.

 

[HeyBales]

Considering several of the automatic things it does even when not in Auto mode - it's probably seeing the coils get too cold with low fan speed and high humidity.

You've probably seen what happens at home when you mimic that with a stuffed filter killing the air flow - coils ice over, restricting air flow more, more frost & ice over more. Until you have a block of ice and no cold air out of vents.

Truck is protecting itself from too low a fan speed, and probably a temp setting that is asking for the AC to be on constantly.
Bad combo.

 

[jb_cb900]

My does the same thing on long trips. Even just using the vent with AC off, it will occasionally short cycle the the compressor. Owners manual says it will occasionally increase airflow regardless of climate control settings. It infers that it's controlling the humidity. This info is in the Climate Contol section of the Owners Manual.

 

[FlyGuy09]

My 23’ Lariat does the same thing randomly.

 

[KsuMax]

My 24 xlt tremor does the same thing. I also notice it with bursts of wind. I chalked it up to being a cheap and poorly designed AC system. Never had this issue with my past audi sq5 or bmw x3M.

 

[The Real Maverick]

My 24 xlt tremor does the same thing. I also notice it with bursts of wind. I chalked it up to being a cheap and poorly designed AC system. Never had this issue with my past audi sq5 or bmw x3M.

No. It is on purpose, by design.

To keep the air inside fresh - keep any number of pollutants and/or humidity low.

Usually you are detecting it switch from recirculate to outside air and back.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

...don't see any difference in engine power draw when it happens.

You won't see any difference. The Hybrid's A/C is electric, not belt-driven.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

In my XL, I've only had the fan suddenly start blowing at higher speed one time when the truck was new-ish and I tried using Auto setting.

 

[KsuMax]

No. It is on purpose, by design.

To keep the air inside fresh - keep any number of pollutants and/or humidity low.

Usually you are detecting it switch from recirculate to outside air and back.

It also happens every time I go through a car wash and the blower is going at the end. Not a coincidence it just happens to blow harder inside ever since time when the air flow is stronger outside.

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