Explorer LTD heater problem!

kevinholloway

Hi all, just found another problem with my 97 Explorer Ltd. has developed a glitch where it sends heat constantly. If you adjust the temp setting downward makes no difference, the vent is blowing hot, heated air. If I leave it on automatic it will continue to heat the vent air. The only way to stop it from heating the car is to shut it off, the AC gas is very low and dosnt realy get cold, should this effect the heater adjustment? Its coming into Winter in Astralia now and dont really need the AC till late spring here, if the gas is the isue I will re gas AC! Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

elias

the ac charge will not affect the issue you identified.
the issue seems consistent with hvac cables have broken behind the heater controls and/or any related vacuum lines have cracked and/or the flappy-doors behind the dash are frozen in position. dashboard will have to be removed to diagnose/fix properly. a quick/cheap hack way to fix it is to put a valve between the radiator coolant and the heater core ,close it every summer and open it every winter. closing it will eliminate the heat function entirely.

thecardoc3

elias said:

a quick/cheap hack way to fix it is to put a valve between the radiator coolant and the heater core ,close it every summer and open it every winter. closing it will eliminate the heat function entirely.

Bad Idea.
Vehicles that are designed to have a shut off valve in the heater circuit (engine coolant) have an alternate path that allows coolant to circulate through the engine to prevent hotspots. If you block off the coolant flow through the heater core with a shut-off valve and an alternate path wasn't designed into the system then the result could be significant damage to the engine and as far as the gage is concerned it may not even display the over heating condition.