Help! My electronic climate control has a mind of it's own. The "automatic" function blows really hot, then ice cold, then really hot again. The heater works only when it wants to, but at least the Max AC function does it's job. What do I do?

Might try cleaning the inside air temp sensor, its located in the dash behind the little vent to the right of the radio...

I think I tried looking in there once, and couldn't see squat. How far back is it, and what cleaning methods should I use? I tend to lack finesse, and would probably go at it with a wire brush and gasoline....

Just pop the cover off and use a q-tip with a little alcohol on it.................BE GENTLE!!! :D

Originally posted by bigdaddykarl
The "automatic" function blows really hot, then ice cold, then really hot again.
Is this during the same cycle?

My auto-climate-control only blows HOT no matter what temp. you set it on. I dont know if this is a "blend door" issue or something else.
Guess I'll pop the grill and try to clean the temp. sensor.

Bill, the EACC uses a heater control valve that is piped in line with one of the heater hoses. Mine was stuck open, letting hot water flow through all the time, therefore it would always blow hot no matter what the temp setting. You might pull that out and take a look at it, and also check to see if the vacuum control is controling it completly (see what position the valve is in with it set at 65* vs 90*)

My auto-climate-control only blows HOT no matter what temp. you set it on. I dont know if this is a "blend door" issue or something else.

Bill, when my blend door went, I only had warm air on when I ran it on automatic, but if I put it on MAX A/C then I would get cold air. I beleive that if your blend door is out, it will only blow one way when on auto. Hope that helps to recognize a door blend problem.

HotDogs

WHOA....this is great.

Y'all have terrific input. I'm going to try the alcohol thing first (will vodka work? j/k) and then track down this valve, and then trace vacuum lines...please, don't let it be vacuum lines....

Originally posted by bigdaddykarl
...please, don't let it be vacuum lines....
Naw, you got it all wrong..............it is "please don't let it be the blend door"


:p

Originally posted by Bill Kemp
My auto-climate-control only blows HOT no matter what temp. you set it on. I dont know if this is a "blend door" issue or something else.
Guess I'll pop the grill and try to clean the temp. sensor.

Bill, it's your blend door. Mine did the same thing. Try the free fix.

Is it possible that this blend door sticks sometimes and functions others? Is there a shortcut to a writeup on this "free fix" you describe? Where exactly is this blend door?

Here ya go:

http://home.earthlink.net/~kandc1/ford/blenddoorfix.html

OK..Thanks for the info. I'll check out the valve & cross my fingers it's that instead of the door.
If its the door it's gonna have to wait for warmer weather cause I dont think it's good for a veh. to be worked on when it's FREEZING.
Thats my story & I'm sticking to it....

'96explorereddiebauer,

Thank you for posting the link to the blend door fix. It is really a simple repair, and the photos walk you through it step by step. It took me about an hour start to finish to get my HVAC back up and running on my 97 Limited. From one NC State fan to another...

GO PACK!!

Scott

check your thermostat first it sounds like the classic symptops. a blend door would limit you to the temp that it gave out at. i agree with above check you air temp sensor

I cleaned my air temp sensor, and it was grubby, but still the same troubles. I guess it's time to tear into the blend door. If that's not it, dang it, I'm trading her in.

when you get no heat check your coolant temp see if it drops.

My ac/Heater control has a mind of its own. It would only put out AC at one time no matter what I did. Now it only blows out hot air? No AC anymore and only Heat. HELP

Never mind I just went outside and started truck and now all functions work.

Well I may be in luck. Today I tried looking into the sensor vent and I set the temperture to 68 degrees.
It was blowing hot as usual. I then blew some hot air into the hole (Vent) and it suddenly change the temp.
The AC was now blowing cold.
I could see a lot of dirt on the little prong thing inside the vent.
I am now thinking that its not the blend door that's giving the problem.