1998 Ford Windstar AC Vents Shift

FORD WINDSTAR
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ADROD_72
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have a 1998 ford windstar and have started to have some type of a.c. problem. The back a.c. only blows piping hot air ( has been happening since I got it) But now the front ac just started to go on the fritz. It blows fine until I accelerate from a stop or accelerate up a hill, then it blows air out of the defroster vents and then out of the floor vents and then will (SOMETIMES) make it's way back to the front vents where it's supposed to be. I've been researching for a while and my husband says it's hopeless to get a straight answer on the internet. I've read that maybe it's the blend door, the actuator or something or maybe a vaccuum hose or a fuse. WHAT IS THE ANSWEr? and will it cost me a fortune to fix?
Jul 16, 2006 at 12:46 PM
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MIKEYBDMAN
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 623 POSTS
Sounds like you have a vacuum problem. Not sure if your aux A/C is working or not, but if you get hot air in the back at all times, your Heater water control valve must be open at all times making the air from the back hot.
It sounds like your front problem is a vacuum problem. All of the vents are ducted by vacuum motors that are run from a vacuum tank. This tank gets its vacuum source from the intake manifold. I would start there and make sure that tank is get a good vacuum source. then track back all of the lines and see if you have a vacuum leak. There is a check valve to keep your car from running bad when you have a vacuum leak, so my opinion is you find the leak or leaks, and it will work good in the front.
Fix the water valve and see if the back works.
Send me a PM if you have more questions.
Jul 16, 2006 at 1:59 PM
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ADROD_72
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how do you fix the water valve control in the back?
Jul 18, 2006 at 1:59 PM

Suggested Repair

Check the HVAC vacuum tank supply from the intake manifold, then inspect the vacuum lines and check valve for leaks that let mode doors move under acceleration. Also inspect and repair the heater water control valve if it is stuck open and sending constant hot air to the rear.

Conversation Summary

A 1998 Ford Windstar owner reported that the rear A/C always blows hot air and that the front vents switch to the defroster and floor during acceleration, sometimes returning to the dash vents. The expert attributed the front issue to a vacuum leak affecting the vacuum-operated mode doors and advised checking the vacuum tank source, lines, and check valve. For the rear, the expert said the heater water control valve may be stuck open and should be repaired. The owner then asked how to fix that valve, but no further reply was given.

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