Issues with Heat?

[pwallace]

I have a 2002 Explorer Limited with climate control heat/cool it does not have rear heat and A/C if that makes any difference. Earlier this year I had a unwelcome visitor build a nest in my blower fan cage that caused a tremendous vibration whenever the fan was on a higher setting. I figured out and fixed that problem but now I am having issues with my heating. I get plenty of heat as long as the thermostat is on a higher setting, (90) but not so much on lower (80 or below) settings. Any chance that something is blocking one of the blend doors or something from closing all the way since I had the visitor and I might not have found all of the damage it did?
I just noticed this issue when the weather got colder so I am not sure if it was present when I was using the A/C.
I am thinking that it isn't a thermostat or the valve that controls the flow of the hot water since I am getting good heat just at a higher setting, and I can feel good heat when I place my hand on the center console of the dash. Has anyone else experienced a issue like this? Any help would be very welcomed.

THANKS
Pete

 

[FordFool2]

The blend door actuators are known to go bad. I would consider starting there.

 

[pwallace]

If the actuator was bad why would I be able to get heat on a higher setting but not on a lower one? Seems that it would either work or not work? Could the temperature sensor possibly be bad causing something like this issue? I am not hearing any clicking or grinding noises from the location of the actuator and maybe I am missing the obvious but I cannot understand how I can get heat on the 90 degree setting but not when it is down on 80 if it is an actuator problem.

 

[FordFool2]

Beside a motor in the actuator there is a feeback loop. The actuator has to be able to inform the controller what position the actuator is. If it has a bad spot in mid-range that may explain why you can't achieve the desired temperature. I stand behind my earlier recommendation.

 

[pwallace]

Is the actuator on a climate control located in the same place as the regular heat A/C unit? I looked through Big rondo's post on replacing the actuator and it was for a regular heat A/C unit so I'm unsure if it is the same on my Explorer Any way to check the function without removing the actuator? BTW THANKS for your reply.

 

[FordFool2]

On our 04, it has DATC (dual automatic temperature control) so there are 2 blend door actuators. One for the driver and one for the passenger. Each are located opposite side of the center dash. The driver is straight up from the gas pedal. The passenger same place on other side.

 

[302merc]

Had a similar problem, with a friend car, it ended up being the resistor, it looked like a little computer that bolted into the heater box

 

[302merc]

The part number is ja1651 at Autozone

 

[302merc]

Not 100% sure how the explorer system works. But most cases the resistor in the dual climate setup controls fan speed as well opening closing of doors. Could have dirt or it's been blocked?



Sorry for multiple post not use to this setup (using cellphone)

 

[pwallace]

[MENTION=246631]302merc[/MENTION], don't know if you read my original post but I had a Mouse get in and build a nest in the blower fan cage this spring so I'm not sure if it caused any other damage or not (none that is visible anyway.)
Is the resistor located on the passenger side? If the heater is having the same issue on the passenger side as the driver side, (heat on 90 and not on 80) that does mean that there is another issue other than the actuator, right? Having two actuators surely they would not both fail the same way at the same time, right? Fan seems to work perfectly. Can the resistor go bad without affecting the fan's function and is there anyway to check it's proper function?
I am also still trying to find out if there is a way to check the actuators' function without removing it (them?)
THANKS for your reply.

 

[pwallace]

[MENTION=162080]FordFool2[/MENTION], Mine has the same dual controls. THANKS for the location info.

 

[pwallace]

[MENTION=246631]302merc[/MENTION], Where on the heater box is this resistor located? Drivers side, passenger side and how hard is it to remove? Sorry for the slow reply but I have been traveling and don't have a cell with internet.