2013 MKS EcoBoost Climate Control + Button issue

[apun 0]

I have a 2013 Lincoln MKS Ecoboost, the climate control system is all touch buttons (Not inside of the LCD screen but below the screen) which are pretty nice but lately I have a very annoying issue with the + (plus) Button of the climate control. I would be driving the car and randomly the climate control starts to increase the Temperature as if I am tapping the + button on the climate control area. Sometimes when I press the - (Minus) button as the car is automatically increasing the temperature the temperature stops and then I can controll the temperature manually - or +, but other times no matter what buttons I press the car keeps increasing the temperature and I have to turn off the whole Heat/Ac to make it stop increasing and then turn it back on, but even that sometimes does not fix the problem, anyone knows why this could be and how I can fix this.

 

These are not push buttons that would stick down and the car thinks I am constantly pressing the + button. Mind you the steering wheel buttons I can use also to control the climate work fine, but when the climate control is acting up even these buttons do not seem to work, is this a computer issue or the touch button it self ? I would really appreciate any help/hints. thanks

 

* I have included a picture of the climate controls below, I am talking about the "RED + Button" on the right of "MY TEMP", for some reason it automatically is pressed or the car thinks I am touching it when in fact i am not.

[akirby 9,576]

It sounds like the + touch button is engaging when it's not being pressed. There might be a software update to reduce the sensitivity. I don't know if it can be cleaned like a regular button.

[BORG 639]

They are capacitive buttons so it's quite possible something on the surface of the button is triggering it to react to capacitance. Have you tried clean it with a mild glass cleaner?

[hermans 128]

I've had this issue - eye glass cleaner works great.

[apun 0]

Thanks for the replies, I will try eye glass cleaner and see if it helps, forgot to mention - When the car is automatically increasing the temp (or the button pressing by itself) at that moment Even if i try to press the + Button myself, nothing happens. I will try the cleaning, just to make this clear though it is capacitive touch button so we are just talking about cleaning the button from outside right ? (not sure if i can disassemble the whole assembly to see whats going on inside...lose connection or not...

[akirby 9,576]

Yes outside.

[plm 0]

Hi, I have just started having the exact same problem with my 2013 lincoln mks. Did you ever find the solution?

[apun 0]

unfortunately the cleaning did not help in my case, I have noticed that the problem arises more when the weather gets very hot. Any other suggestions anyone....

[fordtech1 640]

Probably needs a new panel. It's call the FCIM. Front controls interface module.

[apun 0]

Probably needs a new panel. It's call the FCIM. Front controls interface module.

Yes I ended up getting the panel replaced by Ford, over a $1000

[Caver Dave 1]

I just bought a 2013 MKS last weekend and it's doing the same thing. Mine is more of a problem with the radio scan that the heat, although the heat has ramped to high on me twice. I have found that I can touch anywhere on the face of the controller and it will cause the radio to go into seek mode. I'm hoping that since my car is still under warranty that it won't cost me anything to fix it. How has your new one held up so far?

[SqueejWV 0]

I am having this exact issue on a used MKS I bought. I am having trouble getting a quote to replace the part. Is there a part number you can refer me to? Thanks!

[chief253 1]

Mine too. Any fixes?

[Caver Dave 1]

They replaced the whole panel on mine. Not sure what the cost was as it was under warranty. Word of advice though, if thats the only problem youre having with the mks, count yourself lucky. I just got mine back after the dealer having it for 8 weeks to repair what they thought was the cam phasers only to find out the timing chain and tensioner were shot. Kinda ridiculous since it only has 63k on the clock. Before that they had it for 6 weeks replacing a stuck open injector along with the whole exhaust system since the cats broke apart from the heat of all the fuel burning off in them and stopped both mufflers up. Ill be sending this one down the road very soon and will more than likely not be looking at another Ford product again. Between this one and my truck, Im done......

 

P.S. Sorry for the rant but I do feel a little better now.

[Johnmcrossley 0]

Sorry to bring a post back from the dead but I figured someone might find this useful.

 

I have a 2013 MKS EcoBoost that I purchased used that recently began increasing the ac settings to heat/high. I tried to clean the captive buttons with glass cleaner to see if that was the issue but narrowed it down to a hardware problem. I called my Lincoln dealer and got a hold of somebody in the service department that told me this is a common issue. He also mentioned cars with no tint will develop this issue faster and that it would be ~$960 USD to replace the FCIM.

 

This part is easy to swap out. I did it in under an hour. The key, according to the service guy was to find the same part number (Ford loves to make multiple part numbers for the same item from year to year). I found a control panel off of a low mileage salvage car on eBay for $120. Mine came with the whole assembly and the ac vents on the center stack.

 

Install was simple - just take your time. Remove the small wood insert near the starter button and the trim piece around it. They clip in. Repeat this on the passenger side. Behind the trim peices you will see a 7MM bolt - remove that and carefully pull the control panel out and up. Disconnect the plug and swap in the new part. Reassemble and you're done.

[chief253 1]

My MKS is turning into a POS. Every time I turn around it's something else. My 3rd brake light is out. another couple of hundred. 51K miles. A thousand here and a couple of hundred there not to mention the ac condenser and a shock absorber; it eventually it all adds up to real money. also normal maintenance items.

 

Now I know why i had been sticking to GM vehicles.

 

Anyone have a part number of the panel?

[COramprat 1]

I'm looking to replace mine too. What trim do you remove to get to the climate control panel?

[Johnmcrossley 0]

Remove the two horizontal wood trim pieces that run along the sides of the touch screen. The two trim pieces that run along the sides of the console near the driver's right leg and the passengers left. There will be a bolt on each side of the touch panel. The touch panel will snap off from the top touchscreen area.

 

Most of it just snaps together. Take your time and it is pretty simple. Once you have the part it is much easier to understand.

 

Good luck- I found my replacement on eBay and it came with the ac vents as well.

[rusbyr 0]

Had the vary same issues. Above explains how to do it, relatively simple and love my car but getting the part no and finding anyone with it in-stock was terrible. Do NOT use Epic Ford, Epic Failure of the worst kind. The Part no on back of the item is DA5T-18A802-A or DA5T-18A802-A. You should be able to google that and find one. prices range from 110-275 depending who has it available. Love my MKS/EcoBoost just wish Ford would follow up with customers on issues like this. Better to make them happy then go elswhere next time they are in a car buying mood.

[broknwing 0]

So our MKS went into the dealer on the 23rd of July with the same symptoms, and got the same diagnosis. We'r are being told they can't find the post anywhere - in the entire U.S. The Lincoln concierge told me they changed vendors and they have no parts. The dealer said they have had the same vendor forever. I've had several different part #'s but haven't found any posts 3 no matter which one I try. I love the car - just wish they made parts for it.

[chief253 1]

So what is solution?

[chief253 1]

So what is solution?

[Bob MKZ 0]

Surprised to hear all the chatter about the Ghost heater button!.. glad to hear that it's possible to fix if you can find the right part and part number.  Thanks for all the input and feedback.  I thought mine was the only one!! lol

[Ashley 0]

Same issue.  Seems to  happen mostly in extreme temps (in August when it was really hot....now in December when it's cold).  I've talked with my dealer and with a customer service rep with Lincoln.  Part "is on back order" and they can't give any definitive answer as to when it will be available.  I told the dealership to order it because i wanted my car to be in working order.  Then they advised i would have to pay for it when it was ordered (a little over $500) because it was a special order item and again, they couldn't tell me when it would be in.  The last conversation I had with them was about a week ago, and they suggested I wait "a couple of weeks and see if there's any changes".... I said I'd be willing to wait til the first of the year but that I wanted it fixed...again, he said "just give me a call back in a couple of weeks".  So...maybe something is going to change in the next "couple of weeks".  I do know there is an APIM (accessory panel interface module) that Lincoln has recently extended the warranty on - 6 years and unlimited mileage.  From what i've read about it - i think it's somewhere in the same vicinity as the FCIM - so maybe they are going to extend the warranty on the FCIM too.  Of course, if you can't get the freakin' part that's not overly helpful.  

[Lincoln MKS Owner 0]

My FCIM has failed as well.  I have been working with Lincoln Motor company corporate to replace this front control interface module.  Since it can cause loss of front defrost functions while driving, this is a major safety issue.  Does anyone know whether there are any class action lawsuits on this issue?  Lincoln Motor Company is telling me this is not a safety recall yet.