Heater not working

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

Okay, it sounds like you have a few different issues. Since the heat is most important at this time, lets start with that.

This guide can help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-heater-not-working

First, I live south of you in PA. Same thing here with temps. Tell me, how long does it take for the engine to warm up? If the thermostat is sticking slightly open, it will take an extended period of time before it warms up.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-an-engine-thermostat-works

Pay attention tomorrow when you drive how long it takes to reach operating temp. Once I know what you find, I can better direct you.

There are two actuators which operate what are called blend air doors. There is one for each side. Their basic function is to allow heat or AC to enter the vehicle. If they are not working properly, they may be limiting the amount of heat entering the vehicle.

____________________________________________________

If you find the engine is taking an extended amount of time to heat up, here is a link that shows how to replace a thermostat.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-thermostat

Here are the directions specific to your vehicle.

Removal and Installation

1. Drain the engine cooling system.

2. Release the clamp and disconnect the upper radiator hose from the thermostat housing cover.

3. Remove the bolts and the thermostat housing cover.
- To install, tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).

4. Remove the thermostat.

5. NOTE: Inspect the thermostat housing cover O-ring seal. Install a new O-ring seal if necessary.

To install, reverse the removal procedure.

____________________________________________________________________

Here are the directions for the blend air door actuators. I will start with the driver's side.

TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR - LH

See Picture 3

Removal and Installation
1. Remove the LH floor console finish panel. See: Console > Removal and Replacement

Picture 4

2. Position the in-vehicle temperature sensor aspirator hose away from the LH temperature blend door actuator.
3. Remove the 3 LH temperature blend door actuator screws.
4. Disconnect the LH temperature blend door actuator electrical connector.
5. Remove the LH temperature blend door actuator.
6. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

________________________________________________

TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR - RH, EATC

Picture 5

Removal and Installation
1. Remove the RH floor console finish panel. See: Console > Removal and Replacement

Picture 6

2. Lower the glove compartment.
3. Disconnect the RH temperature blend door actuator electrical connector.
4. Remove the 3 RH temperature blend door actuator screws.
5. Remove the RH temperature blend door actuator.
6. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

________________________________________

One last thing. You indicate the air flow is only defrost or lower. The air flow via the vents is controlled by a vacuum motor. Either there is no vacuum to it, something is disconnected, or the vacuum motor has failed.

Here are the directions for replacing it.

VACUUM CONTROL MOTOR - PANEL DOOR

Picture 7

Removal and Installation
1. Remove the audio control module (ACM).
2. Lower the glove compartment.
3. Remove the 3 center panel duct screws and position the center panel duct aside.

Picture 8

4. Remove the 2 plenum chamber screws.

Picture 9

5. Disconnect the panel door vacuum control motor vacuum connector.
6. Remove the 2 panel door vacuum control motor screws.

7. NOTE: The plenum chamber must be slightly repositioned to allow the panel door vacuum control motor to be rotated far enough to clear the retaining arm.

Rotate the panel door vacuum control motor until it clears the retaining arm and remove the panel door vacuum control motor.

8. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

I realize this is a lot. I wanted to answer all questions, so that is why I included these things. Pay attention first to the temperature gauge tomorrow and see how long it takes to reach operating temperature.

Let me know if you have other questions and what you find.

Take care,
Joe

Have the charging system checked-alternator might not be compensating for the additional load from the blower motor-

ANYBODY POKE SOMETHING IN THE FAN AREA. LIKE A SCREWDRIVER. PENCIL. TOOTHBRUSH. WHILE IT WAS-A-RUNNIN'? (I'VE SEEN 1ST HAND, THE LATER, AIN'T NO WAY TO CLEAN THE FINS/ BLADES!)

MAYBE POSSIBLE THE SQUIRREL CAGE OR BLADES ARE BROKEN FROM AGE OR A FOREIGN OBJECT. DEAD CRITTER GOING 'ROUND AND 'ROUND?

THIS WOULD THROW IT OUT OF BALANCE

THE MEDIC

IS THE RADIATOR SLAP FULL OF JUICE?

HOW 'BOUT YOUR RADIATOR HOSES. AND ESPECIALLY THE HEATER HOSES. ARE THEY HOT AS THEY ENTER THE FIREWALL?

THE MEDIC

With the engine at full operating temp and the problem is present, locate the 2 heater hoses where they go into the firewall and feel them to see if they are both hot to the touch. If they are.

The heat in that vehicle is controlled by a blend door that regulates heated air flow. It is operated by an electric motor/actuator. The problem can be that the actuator is stripped or inoperative or the door itself could be damaged. This is what needs to be determined by examining the actuator and see if it is responding to heat change commands or not.

Pull hvac fuse for 60 seconds with key on then reinsntall it may reset the actuator otherwise check to see fi the actuator on that side is working. See pic

You could very well be another Explorer/Mountaineer owner that unfortunately has a Blend Door Actuator problem.

You will save you a pile of money if you want to do it yourself. The problem has been going on now for 10+ years and is pretty common. See the diagrams attached below for locations and put your hand on them to see which one is making the noise

https://www.2carpros.com/topics/climate-control/blend-door

Good Luck;
Rick

See diagrams below

WIth the engine running, hot and the heater on, feel both heater core hoses. If both are hot, check the blend air door. If only one gets hot, flush the heater core. NOTE: The engine must be at operating temp for the heater to work properly.

The vacuum tee is also called a mini-Tube. Here is the repair procedure if this is what you are talking about?

Measure the length of the damaged area of the mini-tube vacuum hose.
Cut a piece of standard 1/8 inch inner diameter vacuum hose approximately 25 mm (1 inch longer than the damaged area of the mini-tube vacuum hose).
Cut off the mini-tube vacuum hose on each side of the damaged area.
WARNING: Read the warning information on the product label to prevent possible personal injury.
Dip the mini-tube hose ends in commercially available paint thinner containing methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). This solvent will seal the mini-tube in the vacuum hose.

Insert the ends of the mini-tube vacuum hose approximately 9 mm (3/8 inch) into the ends of the standard 1/8 inch repair vacuum hose.
Shake the repair joint after assembly to make sure the solvent is dispersed and the vacuum line is not plugged.
Test the system for a vacuum leak in the repair area.
Use the Vacuum Pump or equivalent.

Tell me which number is closes to the "T"

You possibly have a "Blend Door Actuator" problem.

I hope I am wrong. It is a pretty expensive repair, not the part you need but the labor !

If it is the blend door actuator and you do not want to pay $1000.00+ for the repair ( I don't blame you at all) and you can do a little mechanical labor yourself there "is" a way to avoid all the dis-assembly which is involved by.
(Cutting a hole in your heater core box) to gain access to the blend door.
That is what I sure would do, without a doubt.
If you want to know how to do it just let me know and I will get the information of cutting that hole right to you.
Good Luck;
Rick