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Have a 1998 E150 Ford van with vacuum line problems. There ...
Sent to Car Experts November 10 10:56 AM

Have a 1998 E150 Ford van with vacuum line problems. There seems to be a leak as I can't control the cold/heat settings. It only blows cold air, and when I go up a steep grade the entire A/C shuts down until I deaccelerate. I can't find a diagram of the vacuum control of the A/C system. Thanks!

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $5
Answer
November 10 11:14 AM (17 minutes and 56 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Sounds to me like you may have two problems. The loosing the heater on a hill depends on how long the hill is and how hard you are accelerating. There is a check valve in the system that prevents vacuum lose of vacuum from the vacuum tank and uses this vacuum on instances like this. When accelerating you loose vacuum from the engine. This is normal but there should be enough vacuum in the tank to keep the heater controls working unless you are on a long hill or accelerating heavily for an extended period of time.

The second problem of no control of heat. This is controlled electronically. The actuator turns the blend door. The main problem with these vehicles are the doors break and the actuator is turning but the door is not.

Pictureautodoc_2000 -- Auto Service Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 907 Car Accepts
ASE Master Tech w/ Advance Engine Performance
Reply
November 10 1:48 PM (2 hours and 34 minutes and 29 seconds later)
         
Reply to autodoc_2000's Post: Thanks for your answer. I need now to locate the 'blend' door to check it out, and where is this 'check-valve' for the vacuum tank? If I can get this additional information I believe I can fix the problem. Also is this check-valve an after market product available at other than the dealers? Thanks! ray

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on November 10 2005 at 1:49 PM
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
November 10 3:20 PM (1 hour and 31 minutes and 29 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

The blend door actuator is located on the passenger side behind the dash. Here is a picture hope it helps. The arrows are pointing at the actuator. You should be able to see the shaft for the door you may need to use a mirror. Once you find the shaft turn the key on and move the heater selector back and forth from hot to cold. You should be able to see or feel it moving.

Images available only to Customers.

Pictureautodoc_2000 -- Auto Service Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 907 Car Accepts
ASE Master Tech w/ Advance Engine Performance
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