Heater Control - Cable Operated?
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 162
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From: St. Louis, Misssouri
Heater Control - Cable Operated?
I have a 1987 Ford F-150 with factory Air Conditioning installed.
I was on my way to work today and needed to defrost my windshield. So I started to slide the control from "floor" to "mix" position. The control has always been a little stiff, so I didn't pay it any mind. Plus it was cold this morning, so I figured the cable lube may have been a little stiff, too.
Then the control gave and it slides freely back and forth and the outlet for the blower does not change position.
Is this thing a cable operated system or vacuum operated?
I am hoping the cable just popped off the control end.
Any help?
I was on my way to work today and needed to defrost my windshield. So I started to slide the control from "floor" to "mix" position. The control has always been a little stiff, so I didn't pay it any mind. Plus it was cold this morning, so I figured the cable lube may have been a little stiff, too.
Then the control gave and it slides freely back and forth and the outlet for the blower does not change position.
Is this thing a cable operated system or vacuum operated?
I am hoping the cable just popped off the control end.
Any help?
New User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Hr Jr
I have a 1987 Ford F-150 with factory Air Conditioning installed.
I was on my way to work today and needed to defrost my windshield. So I started to slide the control from "floor" to "mix" position. The control has always been a little stiff, so I didn't pay it any mind. Plus it was cold this morning, so I figured the cable lube may have been a little stiff, too.
Then the control gave and it slides freely back and forth and the outlet for the blower does not change position.
Is this thing a cable operated system or vacuum operated?
I am hoping the cable just popped off the control end.
Any help?
I was on my way to work today and needed to defrost my windshield. So I started to slide the control from "floor" to "mix" position. The control has always been a little stiff, so I didn't pay it any mind. Plus it was cold this morning, so I figured the cable lube may have been a little stiff, too.
Then the control gave and it slides freely back and forth and the outlet for the blower does not change position.
Is this thing a cable operated system or vacuum operated?
I am hoping the cable just popped off the control end.
Any help?
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Do not do what I did. The cable either un hooked from the lever side or it popped off of the pin down under the dash just to the left of the glove box. I broke the clip on the cable that holds it in place at the back of the control lever. Hopefully the pin at the other end just popped off and did no break for you. We tore the dash completely out to find the other end ,only to find it under the dash. Now I am looking for a replacement cable for mine. Any help from any one as to where to find one.
What year is it? With or without factory installed integral A/C?
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,935
Likes: 34
From: Arcadia, Fla
Do not do what I did. The cable either un hooked from the lever side or it popped off of the pin down under the dash just to the left of the glove box. I broke the clip on the cable that holds it in place at the back of the control lever. Hopefully the pin at the other end just popped off and did no break for you. We tore the dash completely out to find the other end ,only to find it under the dash. Now I am looking for a replacement cable for mine. Any help from any one as to where to find one.
This is most likely what happened. I used the 87 AC/heat control in my 89 F250(too many bad vacuum lines) and it broke. I used a bunch of zip ties and made it work holding the cable in the holder.
Once that cable holder clip snaps, got to replace it or zip tie it like I did and just be SLOW on moving the lever! Relubeing the cable and slider does help too.
Over all in the past 4 years I never had a problem with till my kid messed around and popped the cable free from the zip ties....
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
E7TZ-18518-A .. A/C & Heater Temperature Control Cable / Obsolete
Last MSRP: $58.33 / Dealer net cost: $35.00.
Applications: 1987/90 F150/350 & Bronco.
Just because it's obsolete, doesn't mean that none exist.
RED TAYLOR FORD in Corning AR has ONE = 870-857-3518.
WELFORD HARRIS INC. in Siler City NC has ONE = 919-742-2215.
KLIMESH MOTOR SALES in Calmar IA has ONE = 563-562-3241.
TEXAS AUTO AIR & GLASS in Longview TX has TWO = 903-753-0089.
COLLECTORS AUTO SUPPLY in Oroville WA has SIX = 800-414-4462.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 4
From: Harrisburg, NE
The cable 18518 is what controls if its hot and cold. it likes to slip out of its clamp, I usually just open the glove compartment and push it to hot or cold cause it likes to slip out.
Its the cable 18552 on the bottom of the box directs the air to the defrost, vents, etc. it uses that little metal clip to hold it in place. I would check it first cause you can just open you passenger door and look under the dash to see if its still hooked up. if it is still hooked up under the dash, you probably broke it at the heater controls. I replaced the controls and one of the cables in about an hour in my 88. its just some really tight spaces. i used junkyard parts, and just oiled the controls and cables before assembly.
and only the recirculation door uses vacuum, but its under the hood and on top of the box.
Happy hunting!
Its the cable 18552 on the bottom of the box directs the air to the defrost, vents, etc. it uses that little metal clip to hold it in place. I would check it first cause you can just open you passenger door and look under the dash to see if its still hooked up. if it is still hooked up under the dash, you probably broke it at the heater controls. I replaced the controls and one of the cables in about an hour in my 88. its just some really tight spaces. i used junkyard parts, and just oiled the controls and cables before assembly.
and only the recirculation door uses vacuum, but its under the hood and on top of the box.
Happy hunting!
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New User
Joined: Nov 2013
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I believe it is the 18552 that I need. Do any of the dealers have that one that are listed above?
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pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 40
From: EXTREME southwest CT
I'm going to second Eddie C.
If you don't find the cable popped off the damper between the bottom of the heater box and the transmission tunnel, pull the controls and see where you have to repair the broken plastic actuating arm.
Mine is zip tied too, after drilling a couple of holes.
If you don't find the cable popped off the damper between the bottom of the heater box and the transmission tunnel, pull the controls and see where you have to repair the broken plastic actuating arm.
Mine is zip tied too, after drilling a couple of holes.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,935
Likes: 34
From: Arcadia, Fla
Here's my zip tie fix. That cable lock usually snaps off and the cable just floats around. After zip tieing it back in place, works fine as long as you go SLOW so the zip ties won't pop off. The hardest movment of control lever for my truck is going from defrost to floor, that's where the you move alot of dampers around.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
E7TZ-18552-A .. Heater Air Control Cable-Use with or without A/C / Obsolete
1987/91 F150/350, F(Super Duty) & Bronco.
New User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7
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Only one of the ears is broke off of mine at the dash. after we tied a zip tie once and it slipped off of the sleeve and onto the cable causing it to bind. So I took a small rat tail file and filed two grooves, on each side of the bracket on the bottom and filed a small groove o the top of the cable sleeve. Then used a zip tie around that, pulled t tight and it is holding well and working without any problems.
New User
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Hi - Not sure if you are still on this forum. Just joined myself. Looking for 18B684 - Heater Door shaft. It broke on me yesterday and it is stck on cold air now and I'm in the middle of winter here in Canada. Do you know if this part is available? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Rob
Thanks,
Rob
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