Rear Hot Air in Windstar

KSPERTZEL

MEMBER
FORD WINDSTAR

I have a 97 Ford Windstar, 3.8L, with 100,000 + miles. Purchased the vehicle used from a Ford Dealership in the winter. Come spring we realized that there was a defect cleverly hidden by the cold weather of winter.

The rear air blowers only produce hot air. The rear system turns on and off properly. The rear system also produces the amount of air flow that it is supposed to. Problem comes when choosing cold air. The answer will always be hot air whether you want cold air or hot air.

Side note, the front climate control system works perfectly for the driver and shotgun.

Seems to me that whatever item switches the air from hot to cold or mechanically relays this information is the item at fault. However, where should I look? What should I check?

2 Replies

MICHAEL081278

MEMBER
11 POSTS

If I'm not mistaken, the air mixture door for the rear is controlled by a vacuum diaphram.
The last one I had doing the same thing, it turned out to be a vacuum leak near the switch, under the dash.

You'll have to pull out the bench seat behind the driver's seat to get to the air mixture door vacuum diaphram. Remove cover from side panel, It will be located toward the right lower corner. Hook a vacuum pump up to diaphram and see if it moves. If it doesn't, replace vacuum diaphram. If it does, check vacuum lines for vacuum. If you find vacuum, you may have a broken air mixture door lever.

Good luck, Hope this helps!