Extreme Cabin Heater Temperature
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Extreme Cabin Heater Temperature
96 Aerostar, 3.0 L 100,000 miles. I have found that the heater is blowing out air on the warm setting at an extremely high temperature. (you cannot hold your hand with 4-6 inches of the vent) The temp gauge is showing normal operating values.
Could the thermostast be stuck open or closed and need replacing? I also noticed this summer that the cabin floor was getting extremely hot from the muffler below. Does the blower heat to the cabin come from the exhaust side of the system? (which would account for the cabin heater air also being really hot) Thanks.
Could the thermostast be stuck open or closed and need replacing? I also noticed this summer that the cabin floor was getting extremely hot from the muffler below. Does the blower heat to the cabin come from the exhaust side of the system? (which would account for the cabin heater air also being really hot) Thanks.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
One way to check your thermostat is to pull it an put in a pot of water and heat it to watch it open although this only looks at one item. Thermostats are only a couple bucks if you pull you might as replace it as it is eventually a consumable item anyway.
I would suggest pulling the water temp sensor attach the ohm meter and watch for proper resistance changes as you put the sensor in a pot of water and heat it up. If you have a thermometer to watch in the water temp it will help, but not necessary. This divides the system in half. If the resistance does not change from one extreme to the other, you know the sensor is bad and needs replaced. You still have an over heating problem so replace the thermostat at the same time.
If all looks fine then flush the system especially the heater core.
You might want to the flush just for the TLC aspect no matter what your findings.
These vehicles are known to have overheating issues. Better safe than sorry.
I would suggest pulling the water temp sensor attach the ohm meter and watch for proper resistance changes as you put the sensor in a pot of water and heat it up. If you have a thermometer to watch in the water temp it will help, but not necessary. This divides the system in half. If the resistance does not change from one extreme to the other, you know the sensor is bad and needs replaced. You still have an over heating problem so replace the thermostat at the same time.
If all looks fine then flush the system especially the heater core.
You might want to the flush just for the TLC aspect no matter what your findings.
These vehicles are known to have overheating issues. Better safe than sorry.
Last edited by EBTDM; Oct 24, 2005 at 11:25 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
From: Kiev, Ukraine
May be the the temperature door doesn't moove.... Open a hood, remoove the vent motor, ask someone to moove the air temp controll from Cabine and look at the door... I guess it doesn't moove. If the engine temperature is normal I can see no other problem...
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
Originally Posted by a564jim
96 Aerostar, 3.0 L 100,000 miles.I also noticed this summer that the cabin floor was getting extremely hot from the muffler below.
did you notice any unusual burning or metallic odor on the passenger side when extremely hot there=burned melted cats. failed O2's will burn up cats.
any blockage or restrictions into heater air intake?
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 1
From: Mitchell, SD
I am not sure if you have a cooling issue. Every Ford that I have owned, once at operating temperature, would burn your hand off if you put it four to six inchs away from the vent. Thast is why they call it the heat setting (and they mean it 
)
Now if it takes forever to warm up, then I would suspect that you have a stuck open thermostat. If you are very parinoid, or if it has been more than two years sense the last cooling flush, then go ahead and replace the thermo and temp gauge sendor. (about $35 from Ford, stick with Ford, alot more reliable than aftermarket.) Plus new 50/50 mix (I recomend Ford or Prestone.)
As for your floorboards getting hot. (I assume on the passenger side sense you mention the muffler) That is the tale tell sign that your cats are toast and blocked, causing overheating, not good. Your O2 will not always throw a code. Time to replace the O2 and cats, sorry $$$$.
)Now if it takes forever to warm up, then I would suspect that you have a stuck open thermostat. If you are very parinoid, or if it has been more than two years sense the last cooling flush, then go ahead and replace the thermo and temp gauge sendor. (about $35 from Ford, stick with Ford, alot more reliable than aftermarket.) Plus new 50/50 mix (I recomend Ford or Prestone.)
As for your floorboards getting hot. (I assume on the passenger side sense you mention the muffler) That is the tale tell sign that your cats are toast and blocked, causing overheating, not good. Your O2 will not always throw a code. Time to replace the O2 and cats, sorry $$$$.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by a564jim
Thanks EBTDM: Where would I locate the water temp sensor on my 96 3 L
I forgot about the floor temp. The cat is the most obvious but do not overlook an exhaust leak near the same location as the hot floorboard.
I do not believe that these two symptoms are related.