Heater / Thermostat Won't Engage

[xavierw]

I'm hoping that someone here can help me.

My wife drives a 2002 Explorer XLS. We live in sunny and warm AZ but in the early mornings and late nights, it gets pretty chilly here in the dessert.

The problem is that about 2 years ago, she took the car to the shop to fix an a/c problem. I was out of town. (That's my excuse!) According to her, the a/c worked fine afterwards, however, several months later after, when she would turn the temperature selector knob to warm (ANY movement beyond all cold), an increasingly loud ticking sound would be heard and the warm air never came out.

I discovered the same condition. It sounds like an electro-mechanical switch is trying to cycle but can't make it. I am a backyard mechanic so I can fiddle with it but I've found this forum and this site to be full of folks who can help so I'm asking for troubleshooting and "How-to" help to confirm what the problem is and repair it - on a shoestring budget. I can generally do the work but I'd rather not make things worse in the process by getting over my head.

Any ideas or suggestions??

Thanks!

X-Man

 

[Exproblems]

I'm hoping that someone here can help me.

My wife drives a 2002 Explorer XLS. We live in sunny and warm AZ but in the early mornings and late nights, it gets pretty chilly here in the dessert.

The problem is that about 2 years ago, she took the car to the shop to fix an a/c problem. I was out of town. (That's my excuse!) According to her, the a/c worked fine afterwards, however, several months later after, when she would turn the temperature selector knob to warm (ANY movement beyond all cold), an increasingly loud ticking sound would be heard and the warm air never came out.

I discovered the same condition. It sounds like an electro-mechanical switch is trying to cycle but can't make it. I am a backyard mechanic so I can fiddle with it but I've found this forum and this site to be full of folks who can help so I'm asking for troubleshooting and "How-to" help to confirm what the problem is and repair it - on a shoestring budget. I can generally do the work but I'd rather not make things worse in the process by getting over my head.

Any ideas or suggestions??

Thanks!

X-Man

It sounds like your "temp blend door actuator" broke off some cheap, plastic gear teeth and that is why you hear the clicking sound from behind the dash when go to switch over to hot air temp. I'm not sure where yours is located behind the dash on your XLS model, but on my XLT model, it is in the area of where your right knee would hit the dash when sitting in the drivers seat. Below and to the left of the radio. The part(blend door actuator) costs approx $80-$90 from a Ford dealership or you can buy an aftermarket one for less from a parts store. Most would say to buy the Ford part and use your vehicles VIN number when ordering the part. It ensures you get the exact part for your make and model. Below is the link for the blend door actuator repair. Give thanks to "BigRondo" for the detailed pics and repair instructions! Also, give us an update on how you make out with this repair. Good luck!

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=294140

 

[BigRondo]

I agree with Exproblems. Classic blend door actuator symptoms.

 

[xavierw]

Thank you Exproblems, AND BigRondo. This will be my weekend project. Wish me luck! I'll report back as to how things went.

X-Man

 

[Exproblems]

Thank you Exproblems, AND BigRondo. This will be my weekend project. Wish me luck! I'll report back as to how things went.

X-Man

Good luck!

 

[BigRondo]

Good luck.