2001 Explorer Sport a/c mode problem

[SCopeland]

Hi everyone, I just bought my Explorer a few days ago and I tinker with it a bit every day working on getting it back up to speed on general maintenance stuff. It sat for a year before I got it. The only real issue we're running into is with the A/C. It works fine, super cold, heat works, etc. BUT it only blows from the floor vents and defrost, no matter what setting it is on. I've pulled down the glove box and didn't see anything that looked like the arm that I've seen a lot of people finding that is broken. Am I looking in the wrong place? I thought I saw something that looked like the actuator that the arm is on when I looked underneath the dash from driver's side to passenger side. Whatever I saw is dead in the middle of the center console/radio area. I tried sticking a dowel rod into the upper vents like I saw on another post, and no luck there either. If someone could give me some direction so that I can move forward with all this, I would appreciate it. It's only April and already 84 degrees, and I need A/C on my face. Thanks!

 

[koda2000]

Hi everyone, I just bought my Explorer a few days ago and I tinker with it a bit every day working on getting it back up to speed on general maintenance stuff. It sat for a year before I got it. The only real issue we're running into is with the A/C. It works fine, super cold, heat works, etc. BUT it only blows from the floor vents and defrost, no matter what setting it is on. I've pulled down the glove box and didn't see anything that looked like the arm that I've seen a lot of people finding that is broken. Am I looking in the wrong place? I thought I saw something that looked like the actuator that the arm is on when I looked underneath the dash from driver's side to passenger side. Whatever I saw is dead in the middle of the center console/radio area. I tried sticking a dowel rod into the upper vents like I saw on another post, and no luck there either. If someone could give me some direction so that I can move forward with all this, I would appreciate it. It's only April and already 84 degrees, and I need A/C on my face. Thanks!

I think you need to get together with this poster. He is having the opposite problem to yours. He always has air blowing out of the center vents. Wherever the vacuum motor is that controls the center vent door (it's not behind the glove box) you're both having a problem with it. His wont close and yours wont open. Maybe you can help each other.

 

[SCopeland]

Very interesting. I'll definitely look into this, I'll look for his post, but in the even I can't find it (in between multiple things at the moment,) could you link me to it? Thank you!

 

[koda2000]

Very interesting. I'll definitely look into this, I'll look for his post, but in the even I can't find it (in between multiple things at the moment,) could you link me to it? Thank you!

Oh, I meant to post the link to his post, but neglected to do so. Anyway, it appears you found it on your own.

Here's his link.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/vent-controls-front-always-blowing.461298/

 

[SCopeland]

I did, thank you!

 

[koda2000]

See post #18 in the below thread. It's not totally helpful, but it gives you an idea of where the vacuum motors/actuators are located. I believe the one circled in red (9) is the one for the center dash vents.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...tor-w-automatic-controls.435226/#post-3471219

 

[koda2000]

See post #18 in the below thread. It's not totally helpful and it's for the automatic HVAC controls, but it gives you some idea of where the vacuum motors/actuators are located. I believe the one circled in red (9) is the one for the center dash vents, or maybe (9) is for the defroster vents and (8) is for the center vents. The other diagram was much more clear.

 

[SCopeland]

Thanks, you're extremely helpful!

 

[SCopeland]

So, looking at the picture, #8 is located almost exactly where I was looking underneath the console from the driver side. Interesting. I'm gonna do some more research and see what I can come up with. I've got to change the fuel filter on the Explorer this evening, so I probably won't be digging under the dash anymore tonight, but I'll be gathering ideas for sure.

 

[koda2000]

So, looking at the picture, #8 is located almost exactly where I was looking underneath the console from the driver side. Interesting. I'm gonna do some more research and see what I can come up with. I've got to change the fuel filter on the Explorer this evening, so I probably won't be digging under the dash anymore tonight, but I'll be gathering ideas for sure.

If you've never changed one of these evil fuel filters, you're in for a fun time. The right tool and finesse is what gets them off eventually. The trick is to get the fuel line (both sides) to move toward the filter a little bit (very little, maybe 1/32 or 1/16 of an inch) while pushing the tool into the line. A 5/16 size tool seems to work best.

 

[SCopeland]

I haven't done one myself, but I've heard they're oh so much fun! I don't have the proper tool, but I've watched several videos on removing them and I have a few ideas, ha!

 

[koda2000]

I haven't done one myself, but I've heard they're oh so much fun! I don't have the proper tool, but I've watched several videos on removing them and I have a few ideas, ha!

I've found that the tool that works best for me is a set of individual OEM brand disconnect tools I got at AutoZone (around $20). The 5/16 size and a pair of needle nose pliers to lever against the filter has worked every time for me. Have a container ready to catch the fuel that will spill out. It's also a good idea to pull the fuel pump fuse while the engine is running to eliminate the pressure in the line first.

Tip: Leave the filter in it's bracket until you get the lines loose.

 

[SCopeland]

Everything you said is essentially my plan, minus the disconnects. If I end up needing them, I live across the street from AutoZone, so no big deal

 

[koda2000]

Everything you said is essentially my plan, minus the disconnects. If I end up needing them, I live across the street from AutoZone, so no big deal

Flushing the fuel line connections out with WD40 also helps get the dirt out. I'd started with a set of the cheap plastic disconnect tools,,, worthless.

 

[SCopeland]

Didn't get the filter changed, accidentally bought the 2-line instead of the 3-line, and nowhere within 60 miles has a 3 line. Gonna go order it tomorrow I guess, and then start working on a vacuum leak we think we found today when playing with the MAF sensor.

 

[koda2000]

Didn't get the filter changed, accidentally bought the 2-line instead of the 3-line, and nowhere within 60 miles has a 3 line. Gonna go order it tomorrow I guess, and then start working on a vacuum leak we think we found today when playing with the MAF sensor.

When I changed the fuel filter on my '01 ST, the only place that had the line filter in stock was O'Reilly's. Ford didn't even have it.

On the plus side, the 3-line filter was 33% more fun to change.

 

[SCopeland]

That's the first place I tried, followed by Autozone, followed by Walmart (just in case). The only place I haven't tried is Napa.

Oh I expected the 3-line to be just SO much more fun to deal with. It appears Napa has one, but man I hate Napa. Hah!