95 explorer heater problems, plz help

[stumped]

I have a '95 explorer and about 2 or 3 months ago, the heater started messing up. Air comes out of the defroster and the rear air works fine, but if i select floor , mix , or vents it still blows out the defroster and wont change. Any ideas on what might resolve this problem?

 

[dogfriend]

My recollection is that the air diverter door (controls whether the air is sent to the defrost vents or panel or floor) is vacuum controlled. You may have a vacuum leak somewhere that doesn't allow the door to work.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Plastic vacuum lines are known for cracking at the base where they attach. Follow the vacuum diagram which is under the hood.

 

[nolimitssjca]

in case you're still confused, open the glove box. pull the sides together to allow the box to drop free exposing the dash behind it. Then check on the left. You will see some of the vacuum hoses that control this setup. Good luck!

 

[stumped]

any ideas on where to start looking first, where does that vaccum start? manifold etc. could the switch be bad?

 

[dogfriend]

I would start at the switch and see if you have vacuum present. If so, it may be the switch. If not, then you will need to start looking at the hoses to see if they are cracked or broken. Like Brooklyn said, its common for the ends of the hoses to crack when they get old and brittle.

From the 97 manual. Yours should be very similar or the same.

 

[Turdle]

Check the lines on the vacuum reservoir bottle.It is a black globe, about 5 inches in diameter, located in the passenger wheel well area--toward front of tire. There are 2 hard lines connected to it-one is supply vacuum (black) the other one goes to the function door (grey)--they run along the passenger wheel well, and can get broken.
Also-check the bottle for water inside-(condensation) by removing it, and shaking it out.
good luck