1997 Ford E350 Front AC Blows Warm

FORD F-350
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RJK5963
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  • 2 POSTS
97 Ford E350 Club Wagon w/dual ac. 111K miles 5.4L
The front vents all work, when ac or max ac is selected the front blows warm air only. Not hot not cold no matter the temperature selected. The rear blows cold like it should when turned on. Max AC windows doors open the compressor runs continuous. I suspect that the blend door motor is malfunctioning, although I can see it move when the temp is changed. Is there any way to diagnose this further?
Mar 23, 2006 at 2:56 PM
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PEPPERMRJ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,158 POSTS
Check the heater control valve also.

Good luck and let us know. :)
Mar 25, 2006 at 1:56 PM
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RJK5963
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
97 Ford E350 Club Wagon w/dual ac. 111K miles 5.4L
I found the problem. Pulled the blend control motor and the door fell into the position that blocked air circulating though the heater core; cold air at the vents. The blend door shaft that receives the drive shaft from the control motor was split. So the motor would move but not move the door.
I have found that these systems no longer have a heater control-valve. Hot water circulates in the core all the time. Almost $250 in parts and some foul language the repair is done. It's a van and access is not the best.
Mar 27, 2006 at 4:39 AM
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Suggested Repair

Inspect the blend door shaft that receives the control-motor drive. A split shaft lets the motor move without turning the door, so front air stays warm even though the compressor runs. Repair or replace the damaged blend door shaft. This system may not have a heater control valve; coolant can circulate through the heater core continuously.

Conversation Summary

A 1997 Ford E350 Club Wagon with dual air conditioning blew only warm air from the front vents on AC or Max AC, while the rear system blew cold and the compressor ran continuously. The blend door motor appeared to move when the temperature setting changed. An expert suggested checking the heater control valve. The owner found the blend door shaft that engages the motor drive was split, so the motor moved without moving the door. With the motor removed, the door fell into a position that blocked airflow through the heater core and cold air returned at the vents. The owner reported that these systems have no heater control valve and that hot coolant circulates through the core continuously. The repair was completed for about $250 in parts; access in the van is difficult.

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