1999 Ford Expedition

MARK52

MEMBER
1999 FORD EXPEDITION
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
178,000 MILES

1999 ford expedition eddie bower 5.4 4x4. Front ac switches from vents to vents on windshield as if it switches to defrost. I've been told its normal but I find that hard to believe. If it is how can I make it stay just on the vents its extremely annoying. Also it only seems to do it once accelerating generally around 40 mph but not at that number exactly.

2 Replies

DANLESABRE

MEMBER
230 POSTS

The vent ranges are controlled by blend doors which work off of the vacuum that the engine creates (engine vacuum varies at different RPM's). There is a check valve that prevents the vacuum from escaping from the blend doors [which direct the vent air flow]. You have a bad check valve which is responsible for allowing your vent blend doors to hold vacuum; thus changing the vent position as your engine accelerates and reduces the vacuum in the system.

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Monday, June 20th, 2011 AT 4:00 AM

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

The mode selection is done through a series of air doors that are operated by vacuum. When there is either a partial or total loss of vacuum, the system will default to either defrost or on some vehicles, heat. Acceleration can also have an effect on the doors for the same reason.

Look under the hood for a small black plastic hose coming through the firewall. Follow it to the vacuum source looking for any breaks, cracks or leaks. Also follow any other lines that branch off because they may go to a vacuum reservoir (storage tank) and a leak there will cause the same problem. Using a vacuum gauge to determine if you have full vacuum at any given point is the best way to find it. You can cut into the line anywhere and splice it back together with a piece of vacuum hose. Find the broken line, you found your problem.

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Monday, June 20th, 2011 AT 12:44 PM