Floor heat?

[kleake]

There is a known issue with the actuators on these, and no, i have not swapped mine, but i'm not convinced that is the issue. I get defrost or front vent heat, but when I switch to floor, it switches, but there is little/no air flowing out. Nothing coming out the dash, nothing in the defrost, and I can only feel warmth at the floor vents, but no real airflow. This is a Limited with dual zone and it's the same on both sides. Is this an actuator that just isn't moving far enough or? If the actuator failed, I would think there would not be any movement at all and it would be stuck in one position only.

 

[peterk9]

There are several actuators, not just one. The following diagram was taken from the Component View thread in the stickies section.

Peter

 

[kleake]

There are several actuators, not just one. The following diagram was taken from the Component View thread in the stickies section.

Peter

Thank you. Based on this, C236 actuator (the hard to get to one) may not be fully moving. Does this sound normal that it would go to defrost and front vents, but not the floor? Fan is still running on high, but very little (if any) air is coming out at the floor. I thought most just stopped working completely? This one has been this way since we bought the vehicle a few years ago.

 

[peterk9]

I can't say for sure if it is that one but it has been mentioned before. Here are a some other threads.

HVAC Won't Change Modes

Just recently purchased a '15 XLT. We have had it about two months and it has 46K miles. The weather has been hot so we have been using the AC on dash or mid vent. This weekend it was cool and foggy so I went to use the defrost mode. I've found that it does not change modes, It stays on dash...

www.explorerforum.com

Strange vent problem on 2013 Explorer Limited

Hi everyone, Have a problem with my front vents. I have read a bunch of posts, suggesting solutions, but didn't resolve mine. I have an issue where air (hot or cold) will blow from top windshield (defrost?) vents, and the small ones above the side vents, but not the main side and middle vents...

www.explorerforum.com

Dual climate control problem

Hello, I have a 2011 Explorer with dual climate control, and I am having a problem with the driver side air getting stuck on cold, which is causing major problems with defrosting the windshield. I can see at least three actuators, one behind the glove box, and two on the driver's side. Any...

www.explorerforum.com

Peter

 

[kleake]

I can't say for sure if it is that one but it has been mentioned before. Here are a some other threads.

HVAC Won't Change Modes

Just recently purchased a '15 XLT. We have had it about two months and it has 46K miles. The weather has been hot so we have been using the AC on dash or mid vent. This weekend it was cool and foggy so I went to use the defrost mode. I've found that it does not change modes, It stays on dash...

www.explorerforum.com

Strange vent problem on 2013 Explorer Limited

Hi everyone, Have a problem with my front vents. I have read a bunch of posts, suggesting solutions, but didn't resolve mine. I have an issue where air (hot or cold) will blow from top windshield (defrost?) vents, and the small ones above the side vents, but not the main side and middle vents...

www.explorerforum.com

Dual climate control problem

Hello, I have a 2011 Explorer with dual climate control, and I am having a problem with the driver side air getting stuck on cold, which is causing major problems with defrosting the windshield. I can see at least three actuators, one behind the glove box, and two on the driver's side. Any...

www.explorerforum.com

Peter

Thank you, and yes it looks like the mode actuator is the one that is only partially working. Odd that most fail in one position or the other, but mine will do defrost or dash vents, just doesn't go to the floor.

Any way to confirm if all actuators are the same? I've seen it mentioned they are, but couldn't confirm that before I order the part.

 

[1sicbronconut]

Mode actuators aren't to bad to replace on some you can get by just pulling the cluster but on some you'll need to pull out the steering column also. I would buy a genuine Ford actuator I've installed some non Ford actuators and haven't had the best luck with them.

 

[Whey Cooler]

I haven't had good floor heat since I bought my car new...I just assumed it was how they operate. My Taurus was the same way.

 

[MM07]

I thought I had bad floor heat on my 16 XLT. Then I found auto mode.

 

[kleake]

I thought I had bad floor heat on my 16 XLT. Then I found auto mode.

Sooooo,,,,,, maybe what I am experiencing is normal? I mean,,,, there might be enough air flow to move a feather, but not much else down there. And yes, auto mode is pretty sad compared to others I have owned. Pretty much gotta crank it up manually, then auto to maintain. Is that the way most others are?

 

[Dave K 58]

I haven't had good floor heat since I bought my car new...I just assumed it was how they operate. My Taurus was the same way.

Same with my 2013. The last Ford I owned that had a good HVAC system was my 1988 F250.

I will say that my 2017 F150 is much better than anything else I've had post-1988. Some of the automatic stuff is really annoying, though. "Just because I turn the temp knob to max does NOT mean I want the fan on high and all the air directed to the windshield, dammit!"

 

[Whey Cooler]

Same with my 2013. The last Ford I owned that had a good HVAC system was my 1988 F250.

I will say that my 2017 F150 is much better than anything else I've had post-1988. Some of the automatic stuff is really annoying, though. "Just because I turn the temp knob to max does NOT mean I want the fan on high and all the air directed to the windshield, dammit!"

Right?! I just want "max" for the recirculation... I don't need jet turbine fan speed!

I will say my upper vents, defrost and rear aux HVAC all crank...I just think the floor portion is less than optimal. That being said, once I get it warm I switch it to the floor and it maintains whatever temp nicely...

 

[peterk9]

I've never had an issue with the HVAC in the vehicles I've had. The only adjustment I ever make is when the front defrost is required due to interior fogging or ice on the windshield. I couldn't even tell you now how my vents are set up. All I know is that everything great. I don't think the rear system is even turned ON.

Peter

 

[kleake]

Right?! I just want "max" for the recirculation... I don't need jet turbine fan speed!

I will say my upper vents, defrost and rear aux HVAC all crank...I just think the floor portion is less than optimal. That being said, once I get it warm I switch it to the floor and it maintains whatever temp nicely...

This is interesting. Because yes, if I don't turn the rear on, it takes forever for it to warm things up using the front floor heat only. Turn the rear on to get things warmed up, and then the front doesn't have any issue. It sounds like what I am experiencing is normal.