Car Repair > I have a 1998 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer, It has 98,000 mi., ... >

I have a 1998 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer, It has 98,000 mi., 6cyl, auto.
The problem is the very little to no heat from the dash vents(Air comes out but it is cold, like slightly warmer then the 40 degrees outside). I do get some heat from the floor and rear seat heat vents. I felt the heater hoses going into the firewall(heater core) and they are hot. The radiator overflow tank is slightly low but doesn't seem to be low enough to be an issue. The temp guage reads normal. Any ideas come to mind of what to check or do? Thx

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Thanks for the question.

Do you have a digital heater controls?

Thanks

Fordanswerman

FORD MOTOR COMPANY CAR AND POWERSTROKE SPECIALIST FOR OVER 16 YEARS. ASE MASTER SINCE 1991. CURRENTLY WORK AT A MAJOR FORD DEALERSHIP. GIVE ME YOUR FORD PRODUCT QUESTIONS, IF I HELPED, PLEASE HIT THE ACCEPT BUTTON. EXPERTS QUESTIONS ON FORDS WELCOMED

Reply to Fordanswerman's Post: Yes it does have digital heat control, the top temp setting is 90 degrees for nice warm air but the air from the dash and defrost vents does not get warm.

Can you run a self test for me. This will tell me if there is any codes in the climate control system. Here's what you do:

To enter the self-test, press the OFF and FLOOR buttons simultaneously and then press the AUTOMATIC button within two seconds. The display will show a pulse tracer going around the center of the display window. The test may run as long as 30 seconds. Record all DTCs displayed.
Let me know if there is any codes.

Thanks

Fordanswerman

FORD MOTOR COMPANY CAR AND POWERSTROKE SPECIALIST FOR OVER 16 YEARS. ASE MASTER SINCE 1991. CURRENTLY WORK AT A MAJOR FORD DEALERSHIP. GIVE ME YOUR FORD PRODUCT QUESTIONS, IF I HELPED, PLEASE HIT THE ACCEPT BUTTON. EXPERTS QUESTIONS ON FORDS WELCOMED

Reply to Fordanswerman's Post: I performed the test and after the pulse tracer stopped, it just lit up every segment of the display and stayed like that until I hit a button minutes later. I take this as no codes on the climate control system, correct?

That is correct.

Now you need to check the blend door to see if it is broken. This is very common.

You can check for this by opening up the glove box all the way and looking with a mirror and flash light and watching for movement of the actuator as you chenge temp. If you see the center circle move, then you will need to remove the actuator and look down where the actuator goes and see if the door is cracked and broken.

This happens quite alot. You will need to remove the dash and replace the heater box.

Thanks

Fordanswerman

FORD MOTOR COMPANY CAR AND POWERSTROKE SPECIALIST FOR OVER 16 YEARS. ASE MASTER SINCE 1991. CURRENTLY WORK AT A MAJOR FORD DEALERSHIP. GIVE ME YOUR FORD PRODUCT QUESTIONS, IF I HELPED, PLEASE HIT THE ACCEPT BUTTON. EXPERTS QUESTIONS ON FORDS WELCOMED

Reply to Fordanswerman's Post: I was able to watch two different doors open and close. One behind the glove box and one behind the temp control panel. The one behind the temp control panel moves all the way down for vent middle for panel floor and all the way up for I think defrost.(not sure which buttons moved it where but it did operate what appears to be normal). I was able to see the actuator move and the door move at the same time by looking up through the vent that blows down on the floor. The air seems to be directed fine and it blows out all the vents, it just isn't warm enough. Any other suggestions?

Thanks

As I stated earlier, you need to remove the actuator for the blend door to actually see if the door is broken. You cannot see this door any other way but to pop off the electric actuator and use a mirror and flashlight to see if the door is broken. This is the only way to see the blend door. The only other way to see the blend door is to remove the heater box which requires dash removal. The actuator is electric and looks like below.

Thanks

Fordanswerman

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FORD MOTOR COMPANY CAR AND POWERSTROKE SPECIALIST FOR OVER 16 YEARS. ASE MASTER SINCE 1991. CURRENTLY WORK AT A MAJOR FORD DEALERSHIP. GIVE ME YOUR FORD PRODUCT QUESTIONS, IF I HELPED, PLEASE HIT THE ACCEPT BUTTON. EXPERTS QUESTIONS ON FORDS WELCOMED

Reply to Fordanswerman's Post: You are correct, it is broken. Do I have to remove the whole dash to fix it? Is that as huge of a job as it seems like it would be? I guess I would be willing to spend a day doing it if it saves money. I will accept any response you may have at this point. Pointers on how to do the job or how much the heater box is, would be appreciated. Thanks for your help!!!

Thanks.

Yes you have to pull back the dash away from the firewall. It is a big job. I believe it pays about 6 hours to do in a shop with all the right tools. If you have a center console this makes it even hard to do because this needs to be moved. Yes you have to replace the whole heater box because it has been updated not to happen again.

I'm not sure how much the box is. It has been a while since I've done one. As far as pointers, I will say make sure the battery is unplugged for about 30 minutes before you start because of the air bag. Just take your time. The steering column needs to be dropped and it takes 2 people on either side to pull the dash back evenly so none of the wires get pulled wrong.

Thanks

Fordanswerman

FORD MOTOR COMPANY CAR AND POWERSTROKE SPECIALIST FOR OVER 16 YEARS. ASE MASTER SINCE 1991. CURRENTLY WORK AT A MAJOR FORD DEALERSHIP. GIVE ME YOUR FORD PRODUCT QUESTIONS, IF I HELPED, PLEASE HIT THE ACCEPT BUTTON. EXPERTS QUESTIONS ON FORDS WELCOMED

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