1997 Ford Taurus Car is confused when to heat or AC

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JUSTDON
  • MEMBER
  • 161 POSTS
Heater problem
1997 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 125k miles

The AC works great. The heat is another story. No heat at all will come out until the car is completely warmed up and driving on the highway. If the selector is placed on defrost, the compressor kicks on and does not kick off. The lines will show ice and cold air comes from the defrost vents with the temp control set on hot. Warm air will come out of the vents and heater for about 30 seconds when at an idle before the air goes cool. I replaced the heater core and blend door actuator before the start of this winter. The actuator looks like it goes completely open and closed as the temp control is worked. The arms on the vacuum motors work when the selector switch is operated. Please help. I'm running out of hair to pull out.
Apr 20, 2010 at 2:49 PM
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BMRFIXIT
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 19,053 POSTS
Remove radio and check the operation of the blend door actuator
If working and moving as ordered Open hood and check heater core hoses by the firewall and below the bypass both should be hot with engine running at normal temp
If that is correct pull blend door actuator and check blend door (very common failure)
If hose one hot one warm to cool heater core need to be isolated and flushed also flush coolant system
When selector switch on defrost it normal for the AC clutch to cycle on and off
Apr 20, 2010 at 11:46 PM
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