Stuck on defrost vent why?

Good afternoon,

The actuator for the modes is the most common failure for this issue.

I attached a picture of the location and the procedure for you to follow. Most parts stores will carry the part.

Roy

You have a mode door actuator issue. Here is a guide that talks about this issue:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-vents-stay-in-the-defrost-position

I attached the process below on how to change this so we need to start with this and we can go from there. Thanks

This is pretty typical when the mode door actuator fails. The default position is defrost so that your windows don't fog up and cause a safety issue. If the actuator fails and it is stuck on the floor and your windows start to fog then you would have to pull over before you couldn't see.

I attached the process from the manual on how to replace this actuator.

Also, here is a guide on a different door but the general process is the same:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-blend-door-motor

Let us know if you have questions. Thanks

Hi,

I believe you looked at the wrong actuator. The actuator in this case is called a mode door actuator and more centered behind the dash and closer to the driver's side. Take a look at picture 1. I circled the actuator in question. Is that the one you checked?

Here is a link that reviews and discusses this exact issue. Take a look through it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-vents-stay-in-the-defrost-position

___________________________

If it isn't the one you checked, here are the directions for replacing it. Pic 2 correlates with the directions.

__________________________

Removal and Installation

Remove the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) . For additional information, refer to Section 413-01 .
Remove the 4 knee bolster bolts and the knee bolster.
Remove the 2 lower steering column shroud screws and the lower steering column shroud.
NOTICE: Do not press the brake pedal when removing or installing the speed control deactivator switch, as the switch will be damaged.

Remove the speed control deactivator switch.
Rotate the speed control deactivator switch counterclockwise 45 degrees and remove the deactivator switch.
Detach the 3 wire harness-to-brake pedal bracket pin-type retainers from the top of the brake pedal bracket.
Disconnect the defrost/panel/floor mode door actuator electrical connector.
NOTE: The upper rear defrost/panel/floor mode door actuator screw can be accessed through the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) opening using a swivel-type socket and extension.

Remove the 3 defrost/panel/floor mode door actuator screws.
Remove the defrost/panel/floor mode door actuator.
To install, reverse the removal procedure.
NOTE: The purpose of the module actuator position calibration is to allow the HVAC module to reinitialize and calibrate the actuator stop points. To carry out calibration, carry out the following steps.

Remove Smart Junction Box (SJB) fuse 15 for at least one minute.
NOTE: When the ignition switch is switched to the ON position, the HVAC module will initialize and calibrate the actuators. Calibration of the actuators will take approximately 30 seconds.

Reinstall SJB fuse 15. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position and wait 30 seconds before verifying correct mode door operation.

________________________

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions. I have a feeling that you were looking at the blend air door actuator behind the glove box.

Take care,
Joe

I believe the one you changed is wrong. However, not being there makes it hard for me to determine. Now, there is no self test that I can find available for this vehicle. However, I am attaching the air distribution description and operation. It discusses the two different types, manual and automatic. Take a look through it and see if there is anything that helps. As far as mode door actuators, there is one for fresh air or recirculate and one for the air flow direction.

________________________________________

2015 Ford Taurus AWD V6-3.5L
Air Distribution and Filtering
Vehicle Heating and Air Conditioning Description and Operation Components Air Distribution and Filtering
AIR DISTRIBUTION AND FILTERING
412-01 Climate Control 2015 Taurus
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Air Distribution and Filtering
Air Distribution

NOTE: This vehicle is factory equipped with a cabin air filter.

There are 2 sources of air available to the air distribution system:

Outside air
Recirculated air
Recirculated air is always used when the HVAC module is set to the MAX A/C mode on vehicles equipped with Electronic Manual Temperature Control (EMTC). Vehicles equipped with dual-zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC) use recirculated air only when the RECIRC function is selected in any mode other than DEFROST, or when required by the HVAC module in the AUTOMATIC mode.

*****Air distribution within the vehicle is determined by the function selected ( EMTC ), or the dual-zone EATC system in the AUTOMATIC mode. The air distribution mode on vehicles equipped with dual-zone EATC can be overridden by the driver if desired. Airflow mode control doors are used to direct airflow within the heater core and evaporator core housing. Electric mode door actuators are used to position these airflow mode doors.

Vehicles equipped with dual-zone EATC use 2 separate temperature blend doors. This allows individual temperature settings to be selected for the RH and LH air outlets. The airflow mode doors are not partitioned for separate RH and LH airflow positions. Therefore, the airflow mode will always remain similar for the RH and LH sides of the vehicle regardless of the temperatures selected.

Air enters the passenger compartment from the:

instrument panel registers.
Floor duct.
Windshield defroster.
Side window demisters.
Rear footwell duct (if equipped).
Passenger compartment air is exhausted from the vehicle through open windows or body air vents located near the rear lamp assemblies.

Cabin Air Filter

NOTE: A cabin air filter must be installed for correct climate control system NVH performance.

The vehicle is factory equipped with a cabin air filter. The cabin air filter is positioned at the blower motor inlet and filters both fresh and recirculated air. The cabin air filter can be accessed though the glove compartment.

For cabin air filter maintenance intervals, refer to Section 100-03.

Take a look at the attached pic for mode doors.

Let me know what you find.
Joe

Have you removed the knee bolsters? Also, it should be up higher on the HVAC box. I feel really bad, but the pic I attached above is the best I have. It should be on the steering column side and about the same height.

Let me know.

Joe

Welcome to 2CarPros.

The air flow directions is controlled by a component called a mode door actuator. When you select an air flow location, doors in the HVAC system change the direction of the air flow. Take a look through these two links:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/low-or-no-air-flow-from-vents

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-vents-stay-in-the-defrost-position

Now I did a little research and found there are no technical service bulletins or recalls related to this problem. With that, I suspect the mode door actuator has failed.

___________________________

Here are the directions for replacement. It isn't the easiest job, but if you plan to do it yourself, if needed I will help you through it. The attached pictures correlate with the directions. In the last picture, picture 3, I highlighted the actuator.

___________________________

MODE DOOR ACTUATOR - DEFROST/PANEL/FLOOR DOOR

Mode Door Actuator - Defrost/Panel/Floor Door

pic 1

pic 2

Removal and Installation

1. Remove the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC). For additional information, Refer to 413-01 .

2. Remove the 4 knee bolster bolts and the knee bolster.

3. Remove the 2 lower steering column shroud screws and the lower steering column shroud.

4. NOTICE: Do not press the brake pedal when removing or installing the speed control deactivator switch, as the switch will be damaged.

Remove the speed control deactivator switch.

- Rotate the speed control deactivator switch counterclockwise 45 degrees and remove the deactivator switch.

5. Detach the 3 wire harness-to-brake pedal bracket pin-type retainers from the top of the brake pedal bracket.

6. Disconnect the defrost/panel/floor mode door actuator electrical connector.

7. NOTE: The upper rear defrost/panel/floor mode door actuator screw can be accessed through the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) opening using a swivel-type socket and extension.

Remove the 3 defrost/panel/floor mode door actuator screws.

8. Remove the defrost/panel/floor mode door actuator.

9. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

10. NOTE: The purpose of the module actuator position calibration is to allow the HVAC module to reinitialize and calibrate the actuator stop points. To carry out calibration, carry out the following steps.

Remove Smart Junction Box (SJB) fuse 15 for at least one minute.

11. NOTE: When the ignition switch is switched to the ON position, the HVAC module will initialize and calibrate the actuators. Calibration of the actuators will take approximately 30 seconds.

Reinstall SJB (Smart Junction Box) fuse 15. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position and wait 30 seconds before verifying correct mode door operation.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Joe

Hi,

The only actuators are the ones I listed prior. I do believe there is one above the gas pedal. As far as the blend air door (temp) actuators, if you have dual zone HVAC, you will have two. As far as the mode door actuator, there should only be one. Then there is one for the fresh air / recirculate.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

The mode door actuators are shown in the above picture. As far as the blend air door actuators, here are the directions with pictures of the locations:

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Left side.

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2014 Ford Taurus FWD V6-3.5L
Temperature Blend Door Actuator - LH
Vehicle Heating and Air Conditioning Air Door Actuator / Motor Service and Repair Removal and Replacement Temperature Blend Door Actuator - LH
TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR - LH

Temperature Blend Door Actuator - LH

Removal and Installation
NOTE: The LH temperature blend door actuator can be accessed from below the LH side of the instrument panel.

1. Disconnect the LH temperature blend door actuator electrical connector, remove the 2 retainers and the LH temperature blend door actuator.

Pic 1

2. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

3. NOTE: The purpose of the module actuator position calibration is to allow the HVAC module to reinitialize and calibrate the actuator stop points. To carry out calibration, carry out the following steps.

Remove Smart Junction Box (SJB) fuse 15 for at least one minute.

4. NOTE: When the ignition switch is switched to the ON position, the HVAC module will initialize and calibrate the actuators. Calibration of the actuators will take approximately 30 seconds.

Reinstall SJB (Smart Junction Box) fuse 15. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position and wait 30 seconds before verifying correct LH temperature blend door operation.

__________________________________________________

Temperature Blend Door Actuator - RH

Removal and Installation

1. Detach the glove compartment damper and lower the glove compartment.

Pic 2

2. Working through the glove compartment opening, detach the instrument panel wire harness pin-type retainer from the heater core and evaporator core housing support.

Pic 3

3. Remove the 2 RH temperature blend door actuator screws. Reposition the RH temperature blend door actuator to allow access to the electrical connector and disconnect the RH temperature blend door actuator electrical connector. Remove the RH temperature blend door actuator.

Pic 4

4. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

5. NOTE: The purpose of the module actuator position calibration is to allow the HVAC module to reinitialize and calibrate the actuator stop points. To carry out calibration, carry out the following steps.

Remove Smart Junction Box (SJB) fuse 15 for at least one minute.

6. NOTE: When the ignition switch is switched to the ON position, the HVAC module will initialize and calibrate the actuators. Calibration of the actuators will take approximately 30 seconds.

Reinstall SJB (Smart Junction Box) fuse 15. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position and wait 30 seconds before verifying correct RH temperature blend door operation.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Mode Door Actuator - Air Inlet Door

Removal and Installation

1. Detach the glove compartment damper and lower the glove compartment.

Pic 5

2. Disconnect the air inlet door actuator electrical connector, remove the 2 retainers and the air inlet door actuator.

Pic 6

3. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

_________________________________________

Let me know if that helps.

Take care,
Joe

Good afternoon,

There is a mode door actuator that controls this. It is above the fuel pedal and I attached a picture for you to view.

When you are done, remove the fuse for the A/C for 5 minutes.

Then reinstall and turn the key to on position and wait 5 minutes. The system will calibrate the actuators.

Roy

Removal and Installation

1. Remove the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC)..

2. Remove the 4 knee bolster bolts and the knee bolster.

3. Remove the 2 lower steering column shroud screws and the lower steering column shroud.

4. NOTICE: Do not press the brake pedal when removing or installing the speed control deactivator switch, as the switch will be damaged.

Remove the speed control deactivator switch.

Rotate the speed control deactivator switch counterclockwise 45 degrees and remove the deactivator switch.

5. Detach the 3 wire harness-to-brake pedal bracket pin-type retainers from the top of the brake pedal bracket.

6. Disconnect the defrost/panel/floor mode door actuator electrical connector.

7. NOTE: The upper rear defrost/panel/floor mode door actuator screw can be accessed through the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) opening using a swivel-type socket and extension.

Remove the 3 defrost/panel/floor mode door actuator screws.

8. Remove the defrost/panel/floor mode door actuator.

9. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

10. NOTE: The purpose of the module actuator position calibration is to allow the HVAC module to reinitialize and calibrate the actuator stop points. To carry out calibration, carry out the following steps.

Remove Smart Junction Box (SJB) fuse 15 for at least one minute.

11. NOTE: When the ignition switch is switched to the ON position, the HVAC module will initialize and calibrate the actuators. Calibration of the actuators will take approximately 30 seconds.

Reinstall SJB (Smart Junction Box) fuse 15. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position and wait 30 seconds before verifying correct mode door operation.