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2012 A/C Fan Speed Changing Constantly

The Ford Explorer with automatic climate control may have a problem with frequent fan speed changes when using the heater or air conditioner. Normally, the fan speed changes only to maintain a selected temperature, but when the fan speed changes frequently and needlessly, there is an issue with the fan speed control unit.

The fan speed control unit, sometimes erroneously called the blower motor resister, regulates the speed for the blower motor in order to maintain the temperature set by the driver. When it fails, the fan will run at random settings, and the climate control will be inaccurate.

Note: this does not affect the temperature of the air that comes from the vents, it affects the amount of air that comes from the vents.

The repair is simple, and quick. The control unit is located behind the glove box in most models, and removal and installation takes only minutes.

Also note: this only applies to vehicles with single or dual automatic climate control.

Affected Model Years

This issue affects model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, .

47 people reported this problem

  • 2012 65,000 Miles
    Bower runs at random speeds, regardless of temp setting. Sometimes when not on auto, speed set manually, the blower will change speeds on its own.
  • 2012 78,000 Miles
    My fan has started increasing the speed at random. It makes the noise as if I'm touching the temperature control. If I turn the whole climate Control system off when it is doing it, it will automatically come back on. If I leave it alone and just let it make that noise and let the fan go faster and slower for about a minute he will stop by itself. If I hit the fan down button that will also make a stop. It just started all of a sudden
  • 2012 21,355 Miles
    My A/C keeps changing its temperature on it's own. When I click to get it back to Max A/C it won't change back.
  • 2012 221,000 Miles
    After starting my Edge Limited AWD I will hear a tok, tok, tok, sound and my climate fan speed will go to maximum. This will last maybe 2 minutes before I can reduce or turn-off. Before that time the climate controls can not be turned-off nor the fan speed reduced. After about 5 minutes it will start all over again. I have already replaced the blower controller/resister to no affect. The tok, tok sound I have found is just the same as the sound of when I increase or decrease the fan speed and is comming through the audio system.
  • 2012 59,700 Miles
    It just suddenly began changing fan speeds three days ago. I have not repaired this problem yet.
  • 2012 100,000 Miles
    FAN CHANGES SPEEDS ON ITS OWN AND MAKES AN ANNOYING CLICKING SOUND YOU HAVE TO CONSISTENTLY PLAY WITH THE BUTTONS TO MAKE THE NOISE STOP - HAVEN'T GOTTEN IT FIXED YET
  • 2012 108,000 Miles
    Fan speed changes randomly
  • 2012 87,000 Miles
    When I turn on the Explorer the blower fan is on high. It slows down a bit when on Auto AC. Nothing happens when I turn the knob to lower the fan or when I turn it off.

2012 Common Problems