Hi Y'all

Took my 98 Expy on its first road trip today - about 380 miles round trip. The first problem (since ownership) has reared its ugly head...NO heat!

I let the truck warm up cause it was in the 40s here this morning...after about 10 minutes of warm-up, I turned the heater controls on full heat and got NOTHING but cold air...

The temp gauge reads in the "normal" range...should I replace the thermostat before I go tearing the dash apart looking for other causes?

Is this a common problem with a simple fix?
Anyone else experience this?

Thanks in Advance for your help/advice

Regards,
Scott

 

The first thing I would check is the blend door in the ventilation system. My guess is that it is stuck / not operating. If your temp gage is coming up to normal range, I don't think it is the thermostat. The next thing I would check are the hoses to and from the heater core. Probably a remote chance, but you could have a plugged hose or heater core.

Pbfoot

 

I agree woith PBFOOT. I would go with the blend door. I have seen this happen on the Expy and Rangers before.

 

Well, the blend door is a great suggestion or you can do what I did...I moved to Hawaii.

 

Can I change my original answer. I like your suggestion much better.

 

I'm with Monsta! Of course, I believe a mechanical fix would be more agreeable with my finances

Thanks Guys! I'll check the blend door first and go from there.

Scott

 

I always work from simplest to most complex. First thing to check is coolant level. A low coolant level from a leak will usually show first in poor heater performance due to air in the core. Then I check operating temperature. You should have at least 120 degrees to even start feeling the slightest heat. From your description that should be OK indicating the thermostat is not stuck open. On a cool day the temp guage would barely move if it were stuck open. Since you have a manual system the next item suspect is the blend door actuator system. It is fused in your case to the same circuit which runs the function selector, so if all else is working properly then the circuit should have power. Next step is to pull the control head and ensure the wiring connector is attached to the heater control switch. I have found a few disconnected over the years. Next step is to remove the console assembly, and lower trim panel from the center of the instrument panel, then remove the lower heater duct assembly to access the blend door controller. I would then remove the screws from the controller and drop it down to observe its operation. Move the control switch full hot to full cold and back several times. The actuator shaft should move approximately 1/4 turn from full hot to full cold, smoothly and stop incremental to positions in between. If it does not, replace the controller, which usually runs about 35-55 dollars.It is also possible that a bad control switch could cause this, but honestly I think I have only replaced one or two controller switches in all these years. If the actuator is working fine then with a small mirror inspect the shaft opening of the blend door where the actuator shaft inserts to see if the door itself is broken. If it is then prepare for some extensive work to replace it.

 

This may seem like a dumb suggestion, but if you have a round **** that changes the temp from hot to cold, check the back. Just yesterday I tried to get heat in the morning and all I got was cold air. When I started checking things I found the plastic shaft the **** goes on was worn and only the **** turned, not the shaft. I never saw this before and can't figure why it wore, but I turned it with pliers and got heat right away. Mine is a 99 so I guess the controls are the same. After that I would go with the blend door. There was a thread a few months ago about an easy fix. Do a search and you might find it. Good luck with it.

 

Actually that is an OUTSTANDING suggestion.. I have found numerous broken ***** over the years and just a crack in the **** shaft can send you chasing the wild goose many times. Great input

 

Trike,

I'm with you and Homer - OUTSTANDING suggestion - I DID notice that turning the ****, I felt VERY little resistance, like maybe it wasn't turning anything at all - I'll check that first.

Thanks to ALL!
Scott

 

Trike,

Your "dumb" suggestion cost me $9.77...but saved me potentially HOURS of unnecessary troubleshooting - it was the **** - had a split down each side of the shaft, making it slip on the control shaft when turned! Used a pair of needle-nose pliers - rotated the control shaft to the warm side - warmed up the truck for a few minutes and wa-la!!! HEAT!!!

Homer - I also checked the coolant level - it was just below the lower cold-fill mark - so I topped it off while I was at it.

Went to Ford - they had a **** in stock - my Expy is now back in the "heating business"

Thanks a million, Trike, Homer AND FTE!!!!

Scott

 

Three cheers for Trike & Homer!!

So, I guess I'm not gettin' a new neighbor... Fine with me, I guess...more space on the beach for me.

 

Awesome! I wish I had thought of that! We had the same problem with a **** on ours last year! Crap! We didn't buy a new one though, I just swapped it with one from the rear controls that never ever get used anyway.

Great suggestion Trike and Homer!

 

Good job Trike! I've actually encountered this very same problem with my mother-in-law's eagle vision...and I didn't think of it. Good heads up call!