Another A/C Problem

[Vic_Ferrari2002]

Looked around a bit for this one but haven't found anything. My a/c only works in max a/c mode, and man does it blow ice cubes!!! However when i put it in regular a/c it will blow warm/hot air. I haven't had a chance to look at it due to my work schedule so I thought I would ask you folks for any ideas you may have.
Explorer is a 1997 Sport 4x4 ohv

Thanks in Advance,
Keith

 

[1998Exp]

Check if the compressor clutch is engaging in normal mode. If it is, you may have a blend door problem.

Looked around a bit for this one but haven't found anything. My a/c only works in max a/c mode, and man does it blow ice cubes!!! However when i put it in regular a/c it will blow warm/hot air. I haven't had a chance to look at it due to my work schedule so I thought I would ask you folks for any ideas you may have.
Explorer is a 1997 Sport 4x4 ohv

Thanks in Advance,
Keith

 

[koda2000]

probably a broken blend door or actuator. do you hear any clicking noises when you switch it to normal a/c mode?

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183742

 

[Vic_Ferrari2002]

Thanks for the replies!! When I turn to reg a/c I can hear the blend door shut (thump) and the compressor does kick in. Wondering if the heater hose valve has anything to do with it?

 

[1998Exp]

What you are hearing is not the blend, but the fresh air inlet door moving. In MAX it is closed, to prevent fresh air from entering the cabin.
The situation you are describing is almost certainly a failure of the blend door (or its actuator). The blend door is what directs a part (or all) of the the cold air to the heater core, to warm it back up, and so to control the temperature. In MAX the heater hose valve (called water diverter valve in the Ford lingo) is closed, so no hot water enters the heater core, and you get full cooling regardless of the blend door position.
Failure of the blend door in these earlier models is common, and repairs have been discussed here over and over again. Use the search function. Good Luck!

Thanks for the replies!! When I turn to reg a/c I can hear the blend door shut (thump) and the compressor does kick in. Wondering if the heater hose valve has anything to do with it?

 

[Vic_Ferrari2002]

Thanks Koda and exp, a broken blend door is the culprit. I pulled off the actuator and it is functioning normally. So I followed the link that Koda provided and fixed the problem.

Thanks Again Koda and Exp!!!

Keith