Climate control blowing on windshield

JWTRAVIS

MEMBER
1997 FORD CONTOUR

Heater problem
1997 Ford Contour

Air only comes out defroster vents. Replaced white plastic blend control unit on right side under dash, to no avail. I think the selector switch is ok as it goes off in center position. What else could it be? Vacuum is present just above the blend control, but it doesn't move when removed and plugged in.

My defrosters are working all the time. I don't know how the thing is supposed to work? There was a blend door piece that looked worn out. If I have vacuum at the blend control junction and nothing moves when plugged in or out, then what could it be?

6 Replies

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

If have vacuum ,suspect and check the switch function

the chart at the bottom of the diagram it has where vacuum should at each selection position

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Monday, November 16th, 2009 AT 6:26 AM

JWTRAVIS

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Thanks for your quick reply. I read that the Contour was same as Mondeo (I'm an american living in Australia) and there's almost no support for the mondeo here--it was a failure in the 90s, with a comeback on new ones.

But I'm not sure we're on the same page. The motor looks like attached and doesn't move when removed, but plugged in. I got a replacement from local scrap yard and both test identically for continuity on the 8-pin electrical connection, so I suspect they're both good (or have exactly the same problem).
Is this the same car we're talking about?
There could be a vacuum leak elsewhere--can hear a faint sound when engine running--like the loud sucking when I had the line off that plugs in near this unit. Can't find it tho, and regardless, this is electrical and should move when selector switch is changed.

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Monday, November 16th, 2009 AT 2:56 PM

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

The electric actuator is a blend door (hot to cold and vise versa )
as for the air direction is controlled by engine vacuum (def, vent, heat, and so on )
know if you have control over the temp electric blend actuator is in working condition and not at fault
if no control over the air direction
have to check the vacuum supply and hoses under the dash
if you hear a suction trace the line and check for leak
best of luck

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Monday, November 16th, 2009 AT 7:03 PM

JWTRAVIS

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5 POSTS

Ah, that makes sense--I thought they were blending the air into the different pipes, but duh--temp! Of course.

Are we talking about the same car? If so, any drawings on how it actually looks? The diagram of vacuum lines you sent before (so fuzzy I can't make out all the labels) isn't very useful cause I can't find any of the parts. Are they deeply buried up under there. I'm guessing the selector switch on dash (I can feel the wires are all connected thru the blank panel above the radio that came out) connects to the "Vacuum Hose Harness Connector like a servomotor, but maybe we're not even in the same car?

I'm willing to double my price or more if I can fix it--thanks for sticking with me.

Jack T

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Monday, November 16th, 2009 AT 8:44 PM

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
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99 % of newer car work on the same idea
I will try to get a better pic and send it to your Email
get to the switch and check for vacuum leaks
at it
disconnect the vacuum lines off switch
one should have a good strong vacuum
if not check the source from under the hood