Jim Grant's Tech Tips
'98 Ford Explorer, No Heat
Q:
I have a '98 Eddie Bauer Edition Ford Explorer. A few days
ago the heater stopped working. The fan works well but there is no heat
whatsoever even at 90 degrees. It is no fun to have this problem at this
time in the Northeast.
-
Dilmer D.
A:
Is the engine heating up to the correct operating temperature? Is the
coolant at the correct level? Are both hoses to the heater core hot to
the touch? If so, I would suggest having the hot air blend door and actuator
in the heater box inspected. If you're lucky the actuator (which is an
electric motor) will be broken or it will not be receiving a signal to
alter the position of the blend door. The fix will be a replacement actuator
or heater control module. If automotive deities are out for fun at your
expense, the blend door will be cracked. A broken blend door doesn't sound
like much, but that blend door comes with a whole lot of luggage. A replacement
blend door, which is new and improved, has a redesigned heater box with
it. It takes about 6 hours to install the replacement heater box assembly
and the cost of the heater box is in competition with the labor cost.
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