Blend Door actuator problems

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Oct 7, 2003 | 03:23 PM

Paso Fino

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From: Tucson, AZ

Blend Door actuator problems

I've got an '02 F550 Powerstroke and I keep having blend door actuator problems. The blend door has been slow to move the airflow from the defroster vents to the forward vents since I purchased the vihicle (new). Each time the actuator goes bad the door defaults to the defrost vents, very inconvenient in Tucson. I've had this same piece replaced three times now, and the last time they charged me for it, saying it was over the 12 month/12000 mile warantee covered when they installed the last part. I've seen that there was a lawsuit filed about the blend door problems. Does anyone have a fix for this problem?

Oct 7, 2003 | 04:02 PM

jt-stl

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Joined: Aug 2003

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From: St. Louis

This may be of help

http://home.earthlink.net/~kandc1/fo...nddoorfix.html

Oct 7, 2003 | 06:52 PM

Paso Fino

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From: Tucson, AZ

Is the fix you sent applicable to the Ford F550? I would imagine the blend door actuator is the same but who knows, I have an 02.

Oct 8, 2003 | 10:51 AM

jt-stl

Junior User

Joined: Aug 2003

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From: St. Louis

They usually are very similar. I posted the link to give you a place to start, hopefully they're the same. I'm dealing with similar problems but with the Ranger and I know how big of a PITA it is. You can do an easy check to see if the actuator is located in the same place by swinging the glove box down. If it's in the same place as the ranger, great!...then pop it off and use a small dentist's/mechanic's mirror or your finger to check whether the blend door hole is intact or not. If the actuator's not in the same place, try finding a haynes manual--you can get them at either autozone or advance auto--and it should help you figure how to go about finding it.

Oct 9, 2003 | 12:44 AM

TCollier

4wd Low

Joined: Jul 2003

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From: SE Washington

I have a 97 Mountaineer with the same problem, I think. I will try the 'fix' and hopefully I will save a grand also. By the way, the Haynes manual gives very little info on the heating system, especially the area we are dealing with.

Oct 9, 2003 | 06:22 PM

HomerWinzlow

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jul 2003

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From: Lawton, Oklahoma

Well first off Paso Fino your described symtoms has nothing to do with the blend door controller or the blend door at all. Your described problem is a vacuum control problem. I see you have a power stroke, which means the vacuum is controlled by a separate vacuum motor. If that motor goes bad then you will have the symtoms you describe. If the fuse blows to it you will have the same symtoms. If the vacuum lines have a leak, same symtoms. If you have a 4x4 system which works inline with it and the 4x4 system has a vacuum locking hub system with a leak, you will have the same symtoms. If any device in the same circuit has a problem causing a short to that fuse you will have the same symtoms. A bad mode control switch for example could be blowing the fuse to the vacuum motor. I would have serious concern if the same problem has cropped up 3 times and they replaced the vacuum motor 3 times. If they replaced the blend door controller then you really need to consult another repair facility.

Oct 9, 2003 | 10:21 PM

Paso Fino

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From: Tucson, AZ

Thanks for the advice Homer. This truck is still under warantee so I've taken it to the Dealer to be repaired each time. They've told me it was the blend door actuator, I assumed it was electronic, but I suppose I'm wrong. As the warantee will soon expire, I'll look for a different repair facility next time. My truck is a 2WD, if that makes any difference.