I have a 99 EB Expedition with Auto temp controls. I have no front heat. I replaced the thermostat and the heater hoses about a year ago due to an overheat problem. At the time I also flushed the heater core. Both heater hoses are getting hot when I have the heat on so I don't think my heater core is blocked.

The AC works fine (thank god b/c I am in FL) but I can't hear the blend door or any clicking when I increase the temp to the highest heat setting on a cold morning. So I think maybe the blend door is stuck in the cooling position.

Since I don't hear the clicking of a broken blend door hinge, I was thinking it could be the actuator. In the interest of time and laziness, I was thinking of attempting the "cut a hole behind the glove-box" method to get a look at the blend door operation and to replace it or the actuator if needed.

My question is, can I replace the actuator through the hole, or do I still need to remove the center console?

 

Not to oversimplify it, but it depends on how big of a hole you make.

 

I replaced my blend door. Used one of those vibrating blade cutters. I had to cut out the plastic top of the bottom air tunnel under the dash to be able to unbolt and install new one. Just put a piece of sheet metal with duct tape back over the tunnel, cant see it. worked fine after install. took a while and lots of scratches.

 

I was going to cut a hole about as big as the one in this video at about the 6 minute mark.


This video is of an F150, and In the beginning of the video he shows that you have to take off a black cover under the center of the dash to get to the actuator. The F150 did not have a center console, but for my Expy, if it is in the same spot, I would have to remove the center console.

Jmmranger, how long did it take?

 

You will still need to get underneath the dash. This is where the blend door motor is. It is flat and square with a shaft that connects to the blend door. You should replace this as well.