If you remember I had isolated the problem to a bad relay in the CCRM, the relay that turns the A/C clutch off/on under control of the PCM. I ordered a replacement from a local parts shop, an RC12 was what they found in cross-referencing. First one came in, I removed the old one (with the jumper across the relay to keep the A/C clutch engaged since the relay contacts were apparently smoked when the clutch fried and shorted out) and installed the new CCRM. Engine cranked, and after 30 seconds I turned the A/C on. Compressor cycled on like it should. Shortly thereafter I smelled the classic electronics smoke. Noticed it coming from the new CCRM and shut everything down. Thing smelled bad. Took it back and they ordered another. Meanwhile, to make sure the A/C clutch wasn't pulling too much current, I inlined a 5a fuse and the compressor ran just fine, so no heavy-duty current load there.
New CCRM came in, installed it, and when I turned the key on, the radiator fan came on, even though the engine was cold. Tried to crank and nothing. Checked for fuel pump running and nada.
My conclusion is that either these things are beyond unreliable, or there is some incompatibility that the RC12 has that doesn't work correctly on the GT.
As a temp fix, I have wired in a relay (using a socket from a local electronics supply) that is outside the CCRM, and the A/C behaves perfectly normal. I think I'm just going to leave it like it is, rather than try a 3rd replacement which I would probably want to get from Ford since there's no point in trying another RC12 module...
Makes me want to puke...
New CCRM came in, installed it, and when I turned the key on, the radiator fan came on, even though the engine was cold. Tried to crank and nothing. Checked for fuel pump running and nada.
My conclusion is that either these things are beyond unreliable, or there is some incompatibility that the RC12 has that doesn't work correctly on the GT.
As a temp fix, I have wired in a relay (using a socket from a local electronics supply) that is outside the CCRM, and the A/C behaves perfectly normal. I think I'm just going to leave it like it is, rather than try a 3rd replacement which I would probably want to get from Ford since there's no point in trying another RC12 module...
Makes me want to puke...