Possible Fire hazzard
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FTE Legend
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: NY and VA
Possible Fire hazzard
Picked up an 86 F150 yesterday for the non-rusted cab. Previous owner had a fire in the dash (last Winter).
In dissection we discovered that it looked like it started in the heater area. Found a lot of burned pine needles and plugged cowl drains. That resistor probably got hot enough to start the fire. 
I know that when I bought my 79 if you turned the blower motor on pine needles would blow out the defroster vents.
In dissection we discovered that it looked like it started in the heater area. Found a lot of burned pine needles and plugged cowl drains. That resistor probably got hot enough to start the fire. I know that when I bought my 79 if you turned the blower motor on pine needles would blow out the defroster vents.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Missouri
This happened to me before, thankfully it went out. The scary thing is that I drove 40 miles, shutoff the truck and I was gone for maybe 45 minutes. I got back in and went less than half a mile down the road and I had smoke pouring out of the vents. It could have burned up in the parking lot.
There was no damage, I pulled over, turned the cold air on and unplugged the resistor. It smelled like burnt leaves for months.
There was no damage, I pulled over, turned the cold air on and unplugged the resistor. It smelled like burnt leaves for months.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
The resistors get red hot. I know, I have run the motor with the resistor pack out in my hand looking at it. That's why they are mounted in the airflow of the blower, to keep them cool.
The later model cowl panels got rid of this problem by getting rid of the slots and going to little round holes around the wiper area.
The later model cowl panels got rid of this problem by getting rid of the slots and going to little round holes around the wiper area.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
Yeah, I gotta clean that up. On the 64 with fresh air heater, there's a little door that can be opened for summertime. Works good. But there's no way to reach inside. Do this today, should be 15 minutes maybe.
The way the motor is wired, running at highest speed should at least keep the resistor from being energized.
The way the motor is wired, running at highest speed should at least keep the resistor from being energized.
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From: Northern Indiana USA
Shortly after I got my 84, I was driving down the highway, and kept smelling leaves burning. Thought it was outside, until the interior filled with smoke!
Pulled over, looked under the hood, under the dash, nothing wrong. So I took off, the smoke stopped. That weekend, I pulled the blower motor, didn't find anything unusual in the heater case. Must have been a stray leaf or 2 in there.
Pulled over, looked under the hood, under the dash, nothing wrong. So I took off, the smoke stopped. That weekend, I pulled the blower motor, didn't find anything unusual in the heater case. Must have been a stray leaf or 2 in there.
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From: Northeast, OK
Shortly after I got my 84, I was driving down the highway, and kept smelling leaves burning. Thought it was outside, until the interior filled with smoke!
Pulled over, looked under the hood, under the dash, nothing wrong. So I took off, the smoke stopped. That weekend, I pulled the blower motor, didn't find anything unusual in the heater case. Must have been a stray leaf or 2 in there.
Pulled over, looked under the hood, under the dash, nothing wrong. So I took off, the smoke stopped. That weekend, I pulled the blower motor, didn't find anything unusual in the heater case. Must have been a stray leaf or 2 in there.
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
Well there's a half hour I'll never get back. Took about 10 screws out and the heater panel, and still no access behind there. Heater core looks good though. Tried a shop vac that doesn't work. Maybe a controlled burn. Looks like removing the ductwork is the way to go.
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FTE Legend
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From: NY and VA
The cab I have on the trailer, has no fenders so it's easy to get to the drain plugs at the bottom of the cowl. I think pulling the inner fender down will allow access to the drains, and take the cowl off. My 86 with fenders on it is in NY so I can't check. On the pass side of the firewall there is a rectangular opening that allows some access. Again truck in NY so I can't check what goes there. Blower motor ? maybe.
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Marlborough, CT
When I bought my 86 I pulled the blower motor and fed a 5/8 heater hose attached to the shop vac into the heater box. Filled a 2 1/2 gallon vac canister with leaves acorns mouse nest etc. ~Bill
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
On the 64 type the heater core is such that pulling the motor and squirrel cage doesn't do anything to access that part. Everything was OK in the main box, but the leaves pile up just behind the fresh air door on the other side of core. HFA. That isn't such a hazard tho not good, will cut down on air flow and drag on motor.
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