Air Conditioning

I have a 2001 Ford Taurus SEL with 38,000 miles.
The air conditioning pump works and the A/C (cold air) comes into the firewall, but not out the vents (blows like the heat is on). Has anyone had this problem or do you know how to correct?
A/C does drip water as it is working correctly, but the cool air will not blow through the vents inside...

When you say it "Blows like the heat is on" do you mean that HOT air is comming out the Vents, or the hot air is still comming out at the floor??

With the AC off and on regular heat, does the TEMP selector adjust the heat from hot to normal.

I'm thinking the door that opens to let the air from the AC condenser into the cabin is stuck shut (or not being told to open by the temp selector).

Yes, When the A/C is on, the Vents (not floor) blows Hot air. I opened the glove compartment and the fan area is Cold and you can feel a little cold air blowing from a crease where it comes together. This car has the auto climate control and when I set it to a temp, the air is always Hot. I have also tried just placing the selector in Max A/C postition, but the air is still hot. I think you're correct about the door the releases the cold air to the car is stuck. Do you have any suggestions on how to repair? Is this a sensor of some sort???

Better leave that one to someone who knows more than I do. I've never actually seen the setup on the newer fords.

I do know that it has to be controlled by either an electrical solonoid, or vacum (sp?) canister. Or the door could just be stuck.

I'd get under the pass. side of the dash, and see if there were any vac, lines running to cannisters there, they'd be close to the firewall probably behind the glove box. I'd have no clue about where or what a electrical solonoid would look like, but probably in the same general location (unless they are using cables to the vac. or elec. actuator mounted elsewhere).

If they use cables, you might be able to manually open/close it to rule out a stuck door.... also to give you your AC back as a temp fix to get you by.

Thanks for the reply...

maybe the blend door is stuck/broken or the vac line to heater control valve is off/cracked/broken. Try just the vent (no AC) if you can and if the air is not "heated" you can skip the blend door. The vac line shuts the heat when AC is on, if it's broken there will be both cold and hot air coming thru.

Micaron
Have you been able to fix your problem on your Taurus on the hot only coming out the vents? I too have the same problem on my 1990 Taurus. I have replaced the electronic control module, but that made no difference at all. I believe it might be a blend door problem on mine, but can't find any info to help me with locating the blend door or how it is controlled for sure. The "Haynes" book I have on this Taurus is very very poor in it's help for this problem we're having. Anyone who knows about the blend door operation on these 1990 and 1991 models, please post some tips for us.

Thank You,

Hot2

Actually - I had to take the car in for Repair.
The problem was the electonic board - The buttons that you use to turn the A/C and Heat on in the dash. Seems that it had shorted out and the control for the heat and air temp was not actually working even though the temp would show a certain degree. I.E. Panel would show 65*, but would actuall blow at 90*. The entire board had to be replaced...

This Taurus has the auto climate control that is digital.

Thanks for all your comments.

I wish I could tell you I have the same problem on my 2001. It was cold and I shut it off about 3 min latter I turned it back on and it was hot.

Hi I just read about your problem. My Taurus is a 2000 SEL and I have climate control. The cold air comes through the defrost vents not the main vents. I did a diagnostic check and there are no electrical problems. I have my climate control set at 72 and cold air will come out the defrost vents at high until the cabin cools to 72. If I use the manual buttons and put the air on the floor, cool air will come out the floor vents. No matter what button I push I cannot get air to come out the vents in the dash and the center console in the back seat. Is there a door for the vent air that is stuck. If so how can I access it? Help I am frustrated. I do not want to spend the arm an a leg to take it to the dealer.

IdaBoo - That is Exactly what mine did - I was cooling fine, sut it off, got back in and the problem began. The control panel hads been replaced and the trobles are over. This is a Great Car. This is the Only Problem I have had with it...

ZincWater - I had the same problem with my T-Bird. There was a small pin hole in a vacuum line that was causing the problem. Cost $.90 to fix. You may want to check that to see if it is your problem...