03 Explorer Defrost Problem

[virgamanda]

My 03 Explorer is having an issue with the defrost. When I want to use the defrost only, it blows on the floor more than the upper vents and it takes forever to clear the windows. No matter what setting I have the heat on as a matter of fact, the air is blowing on the floor. What do i need to look at to fix this.

[shorod]

Does your Explorer have the manual (knob) controls or the Dual Automatic Temperature Control (DATC)?

-Rod

[virgamanda]

Originally Posted by shorod

Does your Explorer have the manual (knob) controls or the Dual Automatic Temperature Control (DATC)?

-Rod

It has the manual knob controls.

[shorod]

The various duct doors are controlled by vacuum with the manual controls. I was initially suspecting a lack of vacuum, but according to the manual with no vacuum the air flow should default to the defroster vents. To get air flow to the floor as well should require vacuum to the floor door vacuum control motor.

-Rod

[skeeter123]

I just fixed a similar problem on my 2002 Explorer. While temperature adjustments are controlled by the electric-motor driven "blend door actuators", the direction of flow from defrost vents to cabin or floor is controlled by vacuum-driven actuators. It's fairly easy to see the vacuum actuator for the defrost-vent door. Open the glove box and push in on either side of it to open it even further; it will hang all the way down. Then, you can remove it by taking out 3 or 4 screws. From passenger side, with your head down near the floor, look up toward where the back of the radio would be. You should see a shiny metal cylinder ~ 2-3 inches long, with a red vacuum line coming from it. With A/C system off, start the car. While looking at the actuator, turn on the A/C. You should hear the hiss of vacuum and see the actuator moving a lever to position the vent door for defrost/cabin air flow. By going back and forth between defrost and A/C, you should see it open/close. In my case, the plastic lever (part of the vent door) had broken off; I ended up using some silicone glue and a small screw to attach a new piece of plastic which i connected to the vacuum actuator.
Hope this helps.

[virgamanda]

Originally Posted by virgamanda

My 03 Explorer is having an issue with the defrost. When I want to use the defrost only, it blows on the floor more than the upper vents and it takes forever to clear the windows. No matter what setting I have the heat on as a matter of fact, the air is blowing on the floor. What do i need to look at to fix this.

I have traced all the vacuum lines/actuators under the dash, they were all in proper working order except for the one that controls the floor open/close. it was stuck or something, I wiggled everything and hit on the actuator, now it works. The one that the WHITE vacuum hose goes to has no vacuum at all in any setting. this controls the actuator up at the top towards the top of dash. what does this actuator control? this may explain the very cold air coming in through the glove box when going down the road. any help here will be appreciated.