I have a 98 Ford Ranger with the 2.5L engine, automatic tranny, and 2WD. Now for my problem. Once my truck gets up to operating temp. it starts blowing out hot air at my feet anytime I get above 30MPH. I have replaced the blower motor, and thermostat already and I am now stuck trying to figure out what would cause my truck to do this. If anyone could help or give me some ideas on what to test out from here I would greatly apperciate it. Thanks in advance for the help guys.

 

Sounds like a blend door failure, but when this happens the result is that it blows hot in all settings except max a/c and off. The heat is max regardless of the temp setting and it's not dependant on vehicle speed either. There is a DIY fix for the blend door problem; it should be in the Explorer forum or the tech info sticky at the top of this forum.

*After reading the above details, does this better describe the problem?

 

Here's the page with the blend door fix;

http://www.blenddoorfix.netfirms.com/

I had to perform this repair a few days ago. That page is a godsend considering the alternative of taking out the dash. However, the part of the instructions regarding placement of the metal pin (especially the sketch, and picture of the metal pin installed) can not be taken literally, as the female socket of the blend door pivot that the D-shaped actuator pin fits into will break in slightly different places. You might want to go study the page then come back here.

First, if you're only getting hot air, turn your heat selector **** clockwise to the (red) heat setting before removing the actuator.

You will need a good telescoping inspection mirror and strong flashlight. After removing the actuator you'll then want to see exactly how the blend door pivot socket has broken, so you'll know at what angle to drill and insert the metal pin into the D-shaped male actuator. Look closely in the mirror and imagine where the curved part of the D-shaped actuator pin is supposed to go. If you hold the actuator horizontal and in the same orientation as when it's installed, you can plan the angle and position at which to drill for the metal pin. It will most likely be installed off-center in the D-shaped actuator. The function of the metal pin will be to push on the unbroken portions of the female blend door pivot as the actuator turns.

Mine took a little less than 1/8" protrusion of the metal pin on each side of the D-shaped actuator pin to fit, and it took two drillings to find the exact right angle. All in all, though, it only took about an hour.

I'll watch this page until Friday afternoon to help with any questions you may have. I'll be back Monday if you want to do it next week.

-Alto

 

It isn't the blend door, one because I did the repair on it about 2 months ago and two because I am having this problem with the heater off. If I turn it on then the heat comes out from whatever vent or vents I have it set to.

 

It just seems to me that you can't get heat out of the plenum without the blend door being in the wrong position. When I did my blend door fix I used a Dremel tool and cut a 2" x 2" inspection port out of the plenum so I could observe the blend door and make sure the actuator was moving it properly. What setting(s) are you getting this hot air at foot level at?

-Alto

 

Ok I must not have explained my problem in enough detail so I will try again. When I am driving down the road and my HEATER IS OFF my truck blows hot air out of the feet vents as if the Heater was turned on to the feet position. With my HEATER ON the hot air comes out for whatever vent I have the selector turned to I.E. Turn the heater to defrost the heat comes out of the defrost vent. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WITH EVERYTHING TURNED OFF the truck blows hot air out of the foot vents as if I had the heater on and the fan full blast. I hope this explains the problem so that you all understand it.