Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

defroster aint working

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 13, 2008 | 10:27 AM
  #1  
nflfreak43's Avatar
nflfreak43
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 3
From: La Vergne, TN
defroster aint working

well obviously from the title the defroster isnt working. well sometimes it does. but most of the time it dont. And this is a big problem because now that its the oh so cold winter time i need the defroster to work!!!!!! or else i will be like i was last night and this morning starting the truck and cuting it off, one time after another to get the defroster going. Im thinking its a vacuum leak but not quite sure where though. in advance thanks for any help given.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2008 | 10:38 AM
  #2  
mward69's Avatar
mward69
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Could be a few things, on mine {85 f150} open the hood, on the pass. side firewall is the box that has the flappy thingy..{tech terms}
all you hoses are in that area too, also I have a thing on the top close to the edge of the hood that has a plunger looking thing on it, mine was sticking and would let just a little air pass. I shot it with WD40, seemed to work. The bigger box houses the fan and all that.
I know that wasn't very clear, hope you get the idea though
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2008 | 10:55 AM
  #3  
nflfreak43's Avatar
nflfreak43
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 3
From: La Vergne, TN
its not very clear but i understand what your meaning. let me put it this way its clear enough im gonna go out and check it real quick
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2008 | 11:11 AM
  #4  
bashby's Avatar
bashby
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
does it blow cold air, not blow on the windshield, not blow at all?
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2008 | 11:20 AM
  #5  
nflfreak43's Avatar
nflfreak43
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 3
From: La Vergne, TN
ok it doesnt blow at all. no heat at all. and also i completely forgot to mention the my blinkers dont work when the heat dont. if the heater works the blinkers work. so its something electrical. im thinking it might be a fuse. im gonna go out and check to see if there are any loose fuses.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2008 | 11:33 AM
  #6  
mward69's Avatar
mward69
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Ok, I might have mis-read the issue, so it does blow out? But then it dies..like a fuse blowing? Again referring to mine, I had a fire in mine due to the resistors in the box, the resistors are little "springs" that control low and med. anyway....lots of leaves and crap in there....
But my fan kept blowing fuses..it would work when I crank it in the morning, but when I turned on lights or wipers, the fuse would pop. I finally said enough, bought a new motor and no problems since. The old motor I took out, you could spin it and see how much it was wore out. It was taking LOTS of amps to run it, when I added light or wipers to the load the fuse box said "no"...lol
You might buy some time if you take out the motor, again located on the pass. side firewall, and spray it down with WD40 or something. They are a bit expensive. {motor} I think mine was around $100 but god was it worth it. I had NO heat or defrost last winter and summer, I used LOTS of rain-x antifog...{which doesn't really work}
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2008 | 11:42 AM
  #7  
bashby's Avatar
bashby
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
AutoZone.com | Shopping | Parts | Product Detail - Blower Motor
blower motor 19.99 at autozone, just had to replace mine. Do you have a voltmeter or test light? check for power and ground to your motor
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2008 | 11:45 AM
  #8  
nflfreak43's Avatar
nflfreak43
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 3
From: La Vergne, TN
no you did not mis read this issue it was my negligance of forgeting to mention the blinkers issue. ok i just went out and started it up. when i turned the key to the "on" position the defrost is working. when i turn it over to start it. the defrost stops working. no when i just slightly turned the key back hardly enough that it wasnt even really noticable the defrost shot on and started blow hot asp air. and the blinkers then worked. So its deffinatly something electrical. Leave the ideas for the problem. ill see it later i gotta head off to work.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 13, 2008 | 12:15 PM
  #9  
mward69's Avatar
mward69
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Sounds like your having some ignition switch issue, funny...thats why I'm on right now.
anyone want to help with this feel free... the way I understand it is, when you turn your key forward to the on position, all the power stuff is engaged then turn it further it engages the starter to start. The issue I'm having, and maybe you is when we turn the key and all the electrical stuff is activated is where the issues you might be having and I am having .
There is an electrical part of the switch on the top of the column under the dash, sounds like the 1st place to start...I called Napa, it's $20. I'm going to start there myself today, might be a good start for you also.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2008 | 12:53 PM
  #10  
bashby's Avatar
bashby
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
it may just be an adjustment or the ignition lock cyl/ linkage binding up. mine binds and I have to make sure its in the right spot, sometimes it is between off and acc
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2008 | 08:33 PM
  #11  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,997
Likes: 2,742
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
This is a classic problem for these year trucks. The ignition switch mechanism doesn't return to the proper run position, especially in cold weather. I got in the habit with my 80 after starting it, to lightly wiggle the switch, so it settled in the correct position. I ran it this way for years. I ended up replacing both the keyswitch tumbler, and then later the ignition switch on the top of the column for different reasons, and somewhere along the way with the new parts and some wd 40, the problem wasn't as bad, though I always wiggled the key from habit.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2008 | 09:08 PM
  #12  
bashby's Avatar
bashby
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
the small price we pay for driving junk
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
'90-f150-302-5spd
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Apr 9, 2010 05:22 AM
69ford99
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
7
Jul 11, 2006 11:20 AM
rw84f150
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Mar 6, 2006 07:38 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:15 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE