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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

HVAC controls

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Old Nov 30, 2023 | 08:45 PM
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HVAC controls

The selector between the vents, floor, defroster and mix doesn’t work. The cable is seized in its tubing. And there was some sorta bracket behind under the dash behind the face of the controls that broke. Now that it’s cold I’d like to not have to reach under the dash to change the defroster since I can’t do that while driving. I can try to get pics of the bracket tomorrow I’m not sure if it’s possible to get a phone to see back there. But is there new cables and stuff for that or do I need to get the new control panel and cable from a junkyard? The blend door for the max ac over under the cowl is stuck and doesn’t move, is that a good idea to get from a junkyard? And does that max ac recirculate air from the cab or is that something else?
 
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Old Nov 30, 2023 | 09:11 PM
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Here's a video on it.
If the cable is seized, I'd say junkyard or eBay might be where to look.
It's possible that the cable end is hanging up on the bracket or the plastic ends have broken. There are clips at the doors that the cables need to be snapped into also.
I think the max ac lever operates the vacuum plunger under the hood, to let outside air in, or recirc inside air.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2023 | 09:27 PM
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Thank you I’ll watch the video and see if I can find a junkyard with this stuff.
 
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Old Dec 1, 2023 | 07:53 AM
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To change where the air comes out on the dash is controlled by vacuum which is why when you lose vacuum the air defaults to defrost position. The cable is for the temperature blend door behind the glove box.

Recirculated air come from the cab down by the passenger kick panel. Where else would you be getting the air from?
 
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Old Dec 1, 2023 | 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by My4Fordtrucks
To change where the air comes out on the dash is controlled by vacuum which is why when you lose vacuum the air defaults to defrost position. The cable is for the temperature blend door behind the glove box.

Recirculated air come from the cab down by the passenger kick panel. Where else would you be getting the air from?
Maybe the controls are different for trucks with air conditioning, which the original poster has.
On '88's without air conditioning, the defrost/vent/floor selector is cable controlled. The only vacuum lines attached to the control levers, are attached to the "vent heat/off" lever, which go to the vacuum operated, outside air blend door with the vacuum cylinder under the hood.
 
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Old Dec 1, 2023 | 11:00 AM
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Mine does work off of vacuum, but the cable to move the blend door for that one is seized. I do have vacuum to it. I didn’t know if it was a recirculate air or not. I knew it came from the cowl one way. But I didn’t know if it would recirculate or it did something else. I wasn’t sure since it was an 88.
 
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Old Dec 1, 2023 | 11:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Anonymous12
Mine does work off of vacuum, but the cable to move the blend door for that one is seized. I do have vacuum to it. I didn’t know if it was a recirculate air or not. I knew it came from the cowl one way. But I didn’t know if it would recirculate or it did something else. I wasn’t sure since it was an 88.
My original response only applies to trucks without ac then. Didn't mean to confuse things.
 
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Old Dec 1, 2023 | 01:24 PM
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There is some TSB about cables locking up and causing issue. Blend door pin on my 92 is broken clean off, I believe the kit is still available to fix these.

I believe the 94+ trucks received as standard issue. My 96 and 97 have it.
 
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