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Ford Explorer Air Conditioner and Heater Problems

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Comments

  • clusterbusterclusterbuster Member Posts: 24
    Look at article #270 posted on Jan 24th 2010 and it will give you some information on a possible fix for your defroster. Also, once you pull the glove box door down by pulling the side arms in, you can see a round vacuum diaphragm with a lever on it. You can try to move the arm and see if it will change the direction from floor to defrost. I did that with mine.....
  • cinybetcinybet Member Posts: 1
    clusterbuster....I have a 2004 explorer...i see the diaphragm you are talking about. my thing is were is all the air coming from on the right side fire wall. does that have something to do with that broken piece? Please and thanks for any help.
  • clusterbusterclusterbuster Member Posts: 24
    Sorry, Don't know where it is coming from. Others on this site have described the same problem with cold air coming around glove box area. Wish I could help, but can't.
  • teaneyteaney Member Posts: 1
    Fan motor gets louder but very little air comes through.
    I took the fan motor off behind the glove box and could see a filter above where it mounted. Pushing it up let leaves fall down. Any way to go at it from above or through the glove box opening to vacume the leaves out. Don't even think I got them all.
    How do leaves get in the filter in the first place?
    Gary
  • dora_explorerdora_explorer Member Posts: 1
    It is called a blend door actuator and the dealer repair is about $850 since they have to pull the entire dash. I learned that this is a common issue for the Explorer however there has not been any recall on it yet. I called Ford customer service about the issue and they referred me to my dealer where I have my truck serviced. Luckily, the Service Manager at Blue Springs Ford made the reapir at no charge since I have been a customer since I made the new car purchase in 2004.
  • silentruler96silentruler96 Member Posts: 1
    someone please tell me the best way to get to and replace my faulty blend door on my 2002 ford explorer.
  • bucky8115bucky8115 Member Posts: 1
    My 1995 is doing the same thing. Did you find anything out about it?
  • ronkeyronkey Member Posts: 11
    I hope you find out what the problem is,cause I have the problem also with 98 explorer.I suspect the ac control.
  • exploder02exploder02 Member Posts: 1
    I am having the same problem with my air system. I was wondering what the clicking in the rear over the driver side back tire was and how do you fix it? Mine makes the noise sometimes and other times it doesn't. Also my door sensor says i have a door open i was wondering if anyone has any advice to figure out which door the sensor is bad on? Thanks guys it is a huge help to get advice on these sites.
  • willchill2010willchill2010 Member Posts: 1
    Hi, I have 2005 explorer, where did you find the lever in yours?
  • clusterbusterclusterbuster Member Posts: 24
    I found mine with help from the clicking sound it was making. After the glove box door is dropped down, the lever is to the left back in maybe 6 inches, It's close to the dash and is pretty hard to find. I had to push down on it once I found it. Don't turn the temp control at all after you push the lever down, or you will lose the heat again. Make sure the temp control is completely on hot before you try to find the lever. Good luck.
  • wayne6197wayne6197 Member Posts: 4
    I have a 2002 Ford Explorer that the A/C blows only out of the defroster vent. Every now and then it will blow out of the floor and dash vents but this is not often. I took it to the dealership and they said they thought it was an "arm" on the heater core that was bad and it would cost $1000 to fix it. Sounds fishy to me. Does anyone have any other possibilities of what this might be? I usually like to fix stuff myself if I can, but this one has me stumped. Plus, getting into the dash appears to be a major undertaking. TIA for your help. Wayne
  • clusterbusterclusterbuster Member Posts: 24
    Not sure if this will help, but drop the glove box door all the way down by releasing the side arms by pulling inward. As you look staight up and to the left you should see a round diaphram. Try to move the arm to shift the flow direction. It may also have a vacuum hose on it to remove for testing. Engine will have to be running , parking brake on, and A/C operating. Hope this will help.
  • wfd1105wfd1105 Member Posts: 1
    my a/c works pretty good but it switches from vents to the defrost when we are driving down the road . what could be the problem ?????
  • radracer1radracer1 Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2010
    we have the same thing going on here.2005 ford explorer. I have found that under acceleration it switches to defrost then when I back of the throttle it will switch back and blow out vents again....I know these are vacuum controled flapper doors but not sure if its a vacuum issue or a controler issue....anyone else have suggestions for us?
  • lanenlanen Member Posts: 1
    I have a 97 ford explorer a/c only works on max, checked blend door it is ok.Last time this happened i had a mechanic change the a/c switchs (2) of them does anyone know where the one on the drivers side is located
  • jpod3jpod3 Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2002 ford explorer sport, mileage 91,000 - when I turn the air conditioning on, a loud clicking sound comes from the compressor. It blows cold air - just wondering if there was anything I could do to quieten this noise (other than not using the air).
  • macnllmacnll Member Posts: 1
    2005 EB A/C compressor does not kick on until I disconnect and reconnect a the Four Seasons A/C relay switch on the back of the compressor. Sure would like to replace the $32.00 switch rather than pay six bills for a new compressor. Other than the intermittent operation the A/C works fine. Anybody ever replace this switch on an Explorer?
  • carlylambrechtcarlylambrecht Member Posts: 1
    HELLO...MY 02 EXPLORER IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE...DID YOU EVER FIND THE CORRECT PROBLEM TO GET IT FIXED?
  • jpod3jpod3 Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2002 ford explorer sport, mileage 91,000 - when I turn the air conditioning on, a loud clicking sound comes from the compressor. It blows cold air - just wondering if there was anything I could do to quieten this noise (other than not using the air). Is this a warning of trouble to come or does it need refrigerant?
  • clusterbusterclusterbuster Member Posts: 24
    The clicking sound you hear is the A/C compressor clutch engaging. It clicks when it disengages also.. As long as it produces cold air and the noise isn't excessive, you should be okay. Worst case scenerio is the clutch freezing up and then it burns the fan belt off. Would't hurt sometime for an A/C specialist to just listen to it while parked outside. It engages and disengages more when you are not on the MAX AIR setting.
  • wayne6197wayne6197 Member Posts: 4
    Hey Clusterbuster,

    I was finally able to get home and check on your advice. Worked PERFECTLY!! Thanks so much. It literally took me less than a minute, from opening the door to turning the lever and now the a/c comes out of the dash rather than the defroster. Wow! And to think the dealer wanted $1000 to fix this. All that is wrong is that there is a plastic arm that is broken that connects the lever that changes the gate to the arm that sticks out of the vacuum canister. Hopefully I can find one online. I hate to go to the dealer and deal with those guys again. If you know of anywhere to get that part I'd appreicate it.

    Again thanks for your help. You da man!!! God Bless!!

    Wayne
  • wayne6197wayne6197 Member Posts: 4
    Hey Carly,

    Yeah I found out what my problem was. Go to post #293 and to Clusterbuster's reply to my original post. All it is is a plastic lever that connects the flapper arm to the vaccum canister, the plastic lever was broken. Lower your glovebox, look way to the left and up a little and you'll see it. Fairly easy to get to. Now I have to find out where to get that part. The dealer will be last, especially after they quoted me $1000 to fix it.

    Hope that helps and good luck!!

    Wayne
  • helpwexplorerhelpwexplorer Member Posts: 1
    The vent on my 2004 Ford Explorer began knocking when we turned on the fan for the heater - only cold air would come out, but it was working fine with the A/C. Now it seems to not blow out air thru the vent for either - but feel air coming thru the glovebox.

    Any ideas and can I fix it myself?
  • clusterbusterclusterbuster Member Posts: 24
    What do you want to work, the heater or A/C ? Is the air coming out of the defroster vents at the bottom of the the windshield as well ?
  • cleavon2cleavon2 Member Posts: 3
    HELLO, I HAVE BEEN READING YOUR MESSAGES. I HAVE A 98 EXPLORER ALSO WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I CANNOT FIGURE THE THING OUT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 3 MECHANICS AND NO ONE CAN HELP. THIS IS SO CRAZY.
  • buchanfamilybuchanfamily Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2002 Ford Explorer and the heater and air conditioner dont work if you turn either on there is a clicking that starts only cold air comes out for heat and the air comes out warm not hot but not real cold either anyone have any suggestions?
  • ronkeyronkey Member Posts: 11
    If the actuator motor is not bad,then the door inside the blower box is broken,the outside air ,when moving,also is moving the door,therefore changing the temp.I have found this on many explorers.
  • ronkeyronkey Member Posts: 11
    If the actuator motor is not bad,then the door inside the blower box is broken,the outside air ,when moving,also is moving the door,therefore changing the temp.I have found this on many explorers.
  • curbaniucurbaniu Member Posts: 3
    My 1998 Explorer air conditioner only works on High. If i put it on low, it only blows warm air. How can I fix this?
  • ronkeyronkey Member Posts: 11
    The ac/heater control is bad,it is the problem,and will have to be replaced to solve the problem
  • knarf1130knarf1130 Member Posts: 1
    Wayne,
    I have the same issue in my 03 Explorer. Just like yours the plastic arm that controls the door is broken. Can you replace the arm or do you have to replace the door? If so what is the name of the door? any information you can give me would be deeply appreciated

    Thanks,
    Frank
  • tealstontealston Member Posts: 5
    Hello,

    I have the same problem that dobbsa posted on #230:

    "I have a 1998 Ford Explorer. The A/C works fine at idle up to moderate speeds. Once it is at highway speeds, then the A/C turns warm. When I slow down the A/C gets cold again."

    Would that also be the blend door issue?

    Any one have any ideas?

    Thanks.
  • cleavon2cleavon2 Member Posts: 3
    HELLO, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO NUMEROUS MECHANICS, SHADE TREE AND TRUE A/C REPAIR SHOPS. EVERYONE SAYS MANY DIFFERENT THINGS. AFTER PAYING ABOUT TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS JUST FOR PEOPLE TO LOOK AT IT. I GOT IRRATATED AND STARTED GOING THRU IT MYSELF. I HAVE REPLACED SO FAR. ACCUMULATOR, A/C LINE, FILTER. NOW I AM WORKING ON REPLACING THE COMPRESSOR WITH ONE FROM THE JUNK YARD. I EVEN REPLACED THE CUT OUT SWITCH. NOW I HAVE ONLY HOT AIR ALL THE WAY AROUND. THIS IS CRAZY. I AM READY TO JUNK THIS THING IN FOR SURE.
  • tealstontealston Member Posts: 5
    cleavon2,

    I am going to try the blend door replacement kit from heatertreater in the next week or two. I'll let you know if replacing the blend door corrects this issue. Have you tried that yet?
  • cleavon2cleavon2 Member Posts: 3
    I HAVE NOT TRIED THE BLEND DOOR REPLACEMENT
  • ak7ak7 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2007 Explorer.

    The front A/C works, but there's no A/C in the rear vents. I read some of the other posts -- I couldn't tell if the exact issue was covered...if so...sorry for the duplicate. If not....thanks for your suggestions.
  • capersj1capersj1 Member Posts: 1
    2002 explorer, manual a/c. heat and a/c blows fine. switches from hot to cold fine, but will not change vents. checked the diaphram on the right side behind the glove box and the lever is not broken. i can move the lever in and out and it changes from top to bottom no problem. is it vacuum operated? and if so, where does it get the vacuum from. traced the lines into the engine compartment then lost it behind the engine. any help?
  • clusterbusterclusterbuster Member Posts: 24
    Yes it is vacuum operated. I would take the vacuum hose off the diaphram that you moved the lever on, and with the engine running, parking brake on etc, see if there is a vacuum at the end of the hose when moving the dash control from defrost to heat etc. Chances are it would be a bad contol unit on the dash, as I doubt there is a problem with the vacuum supply from the engine. If there is vacuum at the hose end when moving the control, then it's likely to be a bad diaphram. Hope this helps some. Let me know. Clusterbuster.
  • jessica_azjessica_az Member Posts: 2
    We also have this problem on our 2002 Explorer. I'm looking to see if anyone has any pictures they can post of this assembly (taken from the glove box access point) and point out where the various usual suspects are to check. The only reason I ask is that our truck's previous owners I think have already done some creative repair and I'm not sure what is supposed to be there and what is not...
  • hthornleyhthornley Member Posts: 7
    Have a Ford Explorer 1996, A/C works good in max position, when I switch to A/C
    position only hot air comes out -- also only hot air comes out in vent position. Temp control will not change from cold to hot air.
    Have read about a blend door behind glove box. All fuses are ok. Is this my
    problem?
    thanks :(
  • hthornleyhthornley Member Posts: 7
    Went out to check blend door--can see door open and close when going from Max AC to vent position--but still only hot air coming out of all vents.. Must be problem
    somehere else! AC and all vents are hot air--only Max A/C is cold.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    An automatic HVAC has a cabin temperature sensor and if it's open you only get cooling in the MAX cooling position.
  • hthornleyhthornley Member Posts: 7
    I drove the car home with front control dash unhooked---hooked it back up at hme--now have A/C and cool air working ok again---am afraid to turn temp dial to heat as before problem started--may have problem this winter if need heat!
    Problem was all normal until I turned temp dial to heat one cool morning---then went back to A/C at pm---then only heat came out.! The Ford fix book talks about a blend door--not sure whrere it is.
    Hugh
  • lsykeslsykes Member Posts: 1
    I was curious if you've tried the blend door replacement kit from heatertreater yet and if it worked? Was it easy to install?
  • clusterbusterclusterbuster Member Posts: 24
    No, I haven't done the replacement. My guess is that it would be fairly difficult. I drop the glove box door and move the blend door arm manually when it gets cold enough to need heat. Some people tie a string on the lever and pull it from beneath the dash when needing heat. I might just do that until I get rid of my 04 in a year or so. Good luck.
  • tealstontealston Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2010
    I will be replacing the blend door over labor day weekend. I'll report back next week with the results. I am pretty certain that this will resolve the issue. To gain more insight on the procedure to replace the blend door, check out heatertreater.net and then select '96-02 Ford Explorer. They have two 10 minute videos detailing the blend door replacement. Very informative.
  • tealstontealston Member Posts: 5
    hthornley,

    See my last post. I am fairly confident that your issue (mine as well) is the blend door defect.
  • lspauldilspauldi Member Posts: 1
    Hey....I have a 1996 Ford Explorer and the rear A/C blows fine but the front fan won't come on. It just clicks. Could it just be the fan?
  • jvanekjvanek Member Posts: 1
    The temperature control arm is not changing the temperature of the air that comes out of any of the vents. Is this mechanically controlled or electric?
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