Ok, so my there is no cold or hot air blowing out from my vents that are facing me/passenger. But the air, both cold and hot blows through the top vent that are located by the front windshields, i think the defroster vents. What is wrong?

Also, I read in my manual that I should leave the AC knob on all the time and to only turn in off for only a brief period. I never knew this and have been leaving it in the off position for the last 6 months.

I have a 98 ford explorer sport, 2 door, 5 speed .

Any help/information?

Oh, and I just had my car broken into and had some stuff stolen. Does the PATS work because now I'm scard getting my car stolen since someone broke my windows in broad daylight at the beach. Im thinking of installing an alarm or something.

air going only through defrost means there is a vacuum leak in the system. normally the line going through the firewall breaks in the engine compartment on the passinger side.

PATS - Passive anti theft system - there is no siren with PATS. it disables either the starter or the fuel injection so the vehicle will not start. it only checks for the right code from the key.

an active system (what people normally think of an alarm) will sound the siren when a monitored switch is activated (i.e. opened door) some have a radar unit (or something simular) to detect movement in/around the vehicle.

leaving the A/C knob on allows the A/C system to lubricate itself so the seals are less likely to dry up and leak and may help with compressor bearing life.