97 Front Heat problem

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Dec 9, 2003 | 09:57 AM

jjkmom

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97 Front Heat problem

we have a 97 e150 van, we do know that we have a blend door problem. My questions are as follows:

Would a heater box pulled from another van work for us? And just how hard is it to get to and replace?

I understand that this is a Ford part and it is costly. Dealer wants 700+ to repair. I can get this for $100 used and I have someone who will do the job, but needs to know how difficult it is.

Can someone help please?

Susan

Dec 11, 2003 | 07:50 PM

johnrebbb

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my 2 cents

Howdy,
I hope I can help. I've got similer issues with my '87. My problem was a bad ground going to the front heater. The rear worked fine. (bad heat though) My blend door has come unhooked and has to be moved by hand. Not the greatest way, but I hope it'll get me through winter.
I do know (from '87 factory manuals) that if you get one froma yard, make sure it matches whether or not your's came with A/C. I gater that the nice guys at Ford made two different kinds of these. I don't know how much changed in 10 years, but I'll bet the basic theories are the same. After all, there's only so many ways to move coolant heat through these ole girls.
Hope this helps. Hopefully someone more familiar with yours responds.
-John R.

Dec 12, 2003 | 08:59 AM

jjkmom

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Yes, we had to find one with A/C. We have the part, but the thought of removing the dash is so aggravating. I have a friend who is just "itching" to get his hands on it. I would rather pay him a couple 100 than to give a dealership any. I just wanted to know how difficult the job is. We have replaced heater cores on all of our Fords and we had to remove the dash on them. I was hoping we would only have to remove the engine cover, but that's not what we have been told.
Well, when it is done, I will post back here and let everyone know how it went. I want my van back!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dec 17, 2003 | 05:37 PM

automan250

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Hate to tack this on to an existing post but, I have a 97 E-150 conversion with the no heat problem. The air works great, but no heat at all. The vacuum valve works the door on the blower just fine. My question. Where is the blend door located and if electrical, which number fuse is it. I hate to go under the dash with the air bags there, but I am getting a little bit cold. Could I manually open the blend door part way as a quick fix. Any help out there?

Thanks,

Freezing in NC

Dec 17, 2003 | 07:02 PM

johnrebbb

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Mines an '87 and it runs off a cable. My blend door's now run by hand, and won't be fooled with until spring. If your's is anything like mine, you've got to get your hand up inside the backside of the blower assembly. There you'll feel a pice of metal wire/lever. Move that to the left (drivers side). You'll have warmer air from the vents. My problem is the cable's come loose from the lever. Your's may be the same. I'm sure alot's happened in ten years, but it may be worth a look/feel.
John R.