Regarding IMRC & Rear AC switch

I have a 1998 Windstar 3.8L that I just replaced the front bank IMRC with a working junkyard part. It works great, except that I munged the little plastic clip that holds the linkage into the lever. It seems OK when I move it manually, but I'm almost certain it will bind eventually. Is it possible to get a replacement for just this bit? Or is there anything else I can use to fasten it?

Also, when I use the Rear AC/Heat control on the front panel, regardless of the setting, it blows hot air. What should I be looking for that causes this? The switch is $45 from the dealer, so I'd like to at least poke at it first before going right out and replacing that piece.

The clip you can find at the dealer it should not cost still but a few bucks. I was lucky to find a part in the help section at Advanced auto for a Chevy that I thought would be a dealer item. If you have the broke one carry it in and see if they have it if not the dealer still should not be too high for that clip.The AC issue is a hard call and hard to get too I still have not replaced my rear control. I control mine from front only.Check for low freon level first. Just a guess..

I don't think the cooling capacity is the problem.

The front blows ice cold air and the rear did too until one day when it started blowing hot air. My suspicion is that there's some kind of vacuum activated vent that brings air from the heater core when the heater is selected on the switch and AC air when its on the AC side of the switch.

I'll probably start messing with it and see if I can find that vent.

Hi
regarding your rear A/C, I only have experience with the '96 but...my early model year vehicle has only heat or A/C for the rear as selected up front. On late '96's I believe a variable temp contol was added, which I think is similar to your '98. Point is: on the '96's, either type setup uses vacuum to move a blend door to send air over the rear evaporator, or heater core. I would think yours is controlled the same way, so I would suspect a vacuum issue. Either failure of the vacuum motor, or a breakage/leak in the vacuum line. For what it is worth, on the '96 vacuum failure/absence yields hot air.

Good luck