AC Blows out all vents regardless of setting

[floydtheduck]

Last summer, I turned on the AC, flipped it from 'feet' to 'face' and as I did I heard a loud 'clunk' from behind the dash/console. I expected to hear the fan make noise as it ran, but it didn't... instead, I felt air blowing out all vents (defroster, feet, and face). I checked and no matter what setting it is on, it blows out all vents.

I noticed that if I turn the air anywhere from 1-3, it blows accordingly at increased speeds for each setting, but when I turn it to 4 (full), it stops blowing air altogether (though I can hear the fan running at full speed). You can feel air moving out the vents, but no more than what a child could blow through a coffee straw.

I've been told by the local auto store this could be an actuator? Or a broken vacuum hose, as well as "it's electrical, you need a new panel" which didn't seem accurate in that adjust hot/cold and the speed of the fan still works, it just won't change which direction it blows.

I've taken the glovebox out and looked up above it, but I wasn't sure exactly what I was looking for. I did find a bunch of leaves that must've built up over the years, so I cleaned those out the best I could...

Any guidance to figuring out my problem is appreciated. I thought I could live with a half-functioning AC, but these past few hot weeks in Florida have become a little unbearable

Thanks!

 

[domesttuner]

I'm having this issue as well, as far as the settings not changing for the vent positioning. The clunk was probably you recirc door falling, and there is a great work-around if you search for it (can't look for it now, no time). That was what my problem was and it fixed it immediately when I removed it.

 

[Number4]

Remove the glove box, letting it hang to the floor. Look up into the dash behind the radio area. There will be a vacuum actuator there attached to nothing. The noise you heard was the actuator snapping the cheap plastic piece that connected it to the directional flap.

Some people have been able to form a piece of metal to reattach it. All depends on how the flaps connecting arm snapped.

Welcome to the club.

Depending on the time of year, I wedge a piece of plastic between the actuator and the flap so I will have defrost.

To properly repair this, the dash has to come out. Dealer quoted $1400.

 

[floydtheduck]

Remove the glove box, letting it hang to the floor. Look up into the dash behind the radio area. There will be a vacuum actuator there attached to nothing. The noise you heard was the actuator snapping the cheap plastic piece that connected it to the directional flap.

Some people have been able to form a piece of metal to reattach it. All depends on how the flaps connecting arm snapped.

Welcome to the club.

Depending on the time of year, I wedge a piece of plastic between the actuator and the flap so I will have defrost.

Thanks for the tips. I'll take a look tonight and post my findings.

To properly repair this, the dash has to come out. Dealer quoted $1400.

Exactly why I didn't bother taking it to the dealer. I'll see if I can rig something up.

 

[floydtheduck]

I found the issue, but I don't know what this part is called, or what it's supposed to look like. I only know the plastic piece it connects to is broken. I'm not sure how it connects, exactly. I've tried searching online for a working picture of it, but I turned up empty. Maybe I can get some sheet metal and put a pin thru the plastic?

Embedding the images is enormous, so use this link to view:
http://imgur.com/CLeFcdI&sD7wHu3

 

[Number4]

There's answers in this forum. Don't know the key word though.
According to Ford the actuator is bad. Over 'extends' when it goes into itself.
At least one person has drilled through the actuators arm and set a screw in it to stop it from moving in too far.
The plastic piece is part of the flap itself. Pull dash out to get to it.

 

[floydtheduck]

There's answers in this forum. Don't know the key word though.
According to Ford the actuator is bad. Over 'extends' when it goes into itself.
At least one person has drilled through the actuators arm and set a screw in it to stop it from moving in too far.
The plastic piece is part of the flap itself. Pull dash out to get to it.

Thanks. I tried searching the forum a bit but I guess I'm using the wrong search terms. I'll keep looking. Hopefully someone has a good write-up of a 'how to'