[Poppy]

Yesterday we finally got some nice weather, and I turned the AC on, but it won't blow out the vents, it will only blow out of the defrost, what's up with that? :yikes:

I have to turn my windshield wipers on because the glass gets cold enough that I get condensation on the outside of the windshield. :mad2:

 

[Cuda_jim]

You have a vacuum leak or the blend door actuator is shot....depending on the vehicle it may be both.
Year Make Model will be helpful

When there is a loss of vacuum the blend door will default to the defrost setting for safety reasons...the windshield needs to stay clear.

 

[Poppy]

Thanks Cuda_jim
Its my '98 windstar 3.8L

I don't think it is the blend door, because I can change the temperature, but I agree that it could be whatever the door is called that controls the direction of air flow.
I found this diagram

 

[Cuda_jim]

Doooh! I meant Air Flow Control Module.....not Blend Door, sorry.
The vacuum leak still applies though.

 

[Cuda_jim]

Let's see if this helps???

 

[militarydave]

since the topic came up....

My crown vic blows AC through the vents.... however, FLOOR, DEFROST, and DEF/FlOOR dont work...

any thoughts for that?

could be the blend door actuator? I turn on the defrost or floor... and the air still blows through the VENT.

its an EATC by the way.

 

[Poppy]

Cuda_Jim ... You da man!

THANKS!!!

 

[electro]

since the topic came up....

My crown vic blows AC through the vents.... however, FLOOR, DEFROST, and DEF/FlOOR dont work...

any thoughts for that?

could be the blend door actuator? I turn on the defrost or floor... and the air still blows through the VENT.

its an EATC by the way.

Not the Blend door. :nono: The blend door is positioned by an electric actuator.
Your Crown Vic is essentially the same as the Windstar. If the air ONLY comes out the dash vents, then diaphrapham #9 needs to be investigated. The internal spring may have broken. The door may also be jammed.

 

[cjones]

does your EATC give you any codes??

 

[electro]

does your EATC give you any codes??

Lets find out!

http://www.fordforumsonline.com/for...onic-automatic-temperature-control-codes.html

 

[dave101]

I hope it gets fixed immediately. Try the casa there, it should be done efficiently there.

 

[KevinCro]

Have you changed your plugs and wires recently? I ask because on my ranger there are some small plastic vacuum lines that run from the manifold down around the plug wires and into a plastic ball. I broke one of these when I was replacing my plugs and it caused the air to only blow out of my defrost.

 

[Poppy]

Thanks Guys, the temperature got a bit cooler, and I don't drive the van that often, so the air to defrost wasn't a big issue yet, however, it started surging at idle so I figured I would look for that vacuum leak.

It was a real easy find.
The elbow right on top of the intake manifold by the IAC was leaking.

Replaced it, no more surging idle, and the ductwork works properly again.

 

[electro]

I hope it gets fixed immediately. Try the casa there, it should be done efficiently there.

Hmmm
Not sure what to think.


sniff-sniff. Is that spam I smell cookin'?

 

[electro]

I wonder if any of the tips were helpful in this How-To?

http://www.fordforumsonline.com/forum/engine-drivetrain/94-locate-vacuum-leak.html

 

[Poppy]

Sure smells like spam to me.

LOL... I happen to know the author of that Howto locate a vacuum leak VERY well! He's a really nice guy, and has some great friends!