2002 Explorer - Heat/AC Vent flapping

I just bought an 02 and its in great shape.

I am having one odd problem. When the temp is set to either hot or cold all is well. If I select a temp in the middle somewhere there is a valve/door in the dash somewhere that appears to slap open and then close about every 3-5 seconds. If I turn it all the way hot or cold it will stop.

Turning the fan speed up or down doesnt seem to make any difference. Neither does switching between defrost or partial mix floor/vent.


Anyone have any idea why this might be doing this?

Probably your blend door motor. My 2002 would do the same thing. I would hear the door trying to move but couldn't. It wsa stuck on a/c and wouldn't heat. Which was fine untill the snow started to fly.

The part is super cheap and it is due to a a little plastic gear stripping out next to a $2.00 motor. The whole assembly is like 30 bucks i think and the labor was like $600.. They had to take the whole dash out and the center counsil out. Very labor intense.. Some you can get to by taking hte radio out, but not the 2002 from what i was told.

Ford wanted $1,200 to do the work like 3 years ago.. Hope this lead you in the right direction

If yours is an early build '02 (check driver's door sticker) then this may apply

http://heatertreater.net/Ford%20Explorer%2096-02.htm

kit is for sale on ebay

Mine was a late build 2002. Mine was built Sept. 2002.
The guy i took it to said the same thing, ford moved them around alot and it was a common problem.

I replaced my wife's blend door motor on he 01 windstar..

Good luck!!

I just started having the same problem in my 2003. Started getting the flapping only on full heat but now on all temps and get no heat at all out. Has anyone tried fixing it themselves or have an idea as to how much time it takes?