2001 Windstar heater problem (yes another one)...need HELP!!

Hi guys,
I bought our 2001 Windstar Limited 2 years ago, and since we bought it, there is a "clicking" noise when the climate is turned to "cold". This is easily stopped by moving the temp selector to the right just a little. We've lived with it for 2 years...no big deal.

Fast forward to today. On the way to work, no heat came out, and there was a definate "thump...thump...thump..." coming from the dash. THE REAR HEAT DOES WORK!! I've spent the past 1-1.5hrs researching this issue on this site and have a few questions. ANY help would be GREATLY appreciated!! I'm planning on doing this repair this Saturday. (this doesn't have auto-climate) THANK YOU!!

1) Am I correct in thinking this is a bad actuator?

2) Do I need to remove the radio to gain access? One person said he did this without removing the radio, another said to also remove the glove box, is this a needed step?

3) If the radio needs to be removed, does anything else need removed? (or can I do the repair with just the radio out?)

4) If the actuator proves to be the problem, once replaced, will it fix the "clicking" noise when "cold" is selected?

5) When removing the actuator, I need to remove the screws (obviously), but then do I just "pull it out"?

6) When installing the new actuator, how do I "put it in" the "d-shaped hole"? Simply push it in? (meaning, does it attach to anything once inserted?)

7) With the old actuator removed, how can I test the "blend door"? Simply stick a screwdriver in there and turn it?

8) Does anyone have any good pics of this repair?

9) What do I ask for at my local Ford dealer? (climate actuator?)

THANK YOU...THANK YOU...THANK YOU...THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

:bigthumb: :bigthumb:


Lastly...is the below pic the actuator i'm looking to replace?
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i230/tomb_stone/158_5895.jpg

Have you read the thread started by "Phordguy"?

The same has just started on my 2001 Windstar as well. I would like some answers as well.

Much Thanks,

FordBoss88:banghead:

Yea most likley the blend door motor like pictured .I replaced mine got pics. Radio removed to get to the front screws makes it a little easier ,the glove box is the key and as simple as pushing in by the stop post and it will drop down. Nothing need to be removed when droping glove box.http://www.msnusers.com/FordWindstargroup/shoebox.msnw?albumlist=2
After you click on you can start with the radio picture and work your way down and you will see the the in dash pics of the blend door actuator motor. If you use the radio removal tool that you can get at Advanced for under 5.00 just push them in tell you hear a click and push the right side tool to the right and the left side tool to the left and pull out at the same time. I have heard some use a welding rod bent to the U shape and a coat hanger as well. All though the coat hanger I could not get to work.. Hope this helps.

Took care of this today. Took maybe 40min.

Thanks

Ive got a windstar ford 2000 and i just stared with the same problem as the rest of the windstar famley, that have read on this page.
If it was not for the pictures posted by (GARYNC1 )ON THE MSNUSER.COM
I would't know whit i was looking for,
Thanks to all of you

Just wanted to let you know the local Ford dealer wanted to charge my friend $600.00 to repair this problem. After finding the information on this site and confirming a clicking noise was heard under the dash as well, I was able to remove the radio and glove box, replace the blend door actuator motor in about forty minutes at a cost of $60.00 for the part from the local Ford dealer. This site rocks!

Just wanted to let you know the local Ford dealer wanted to charge my friend $600.00 to repair this problem. After finding the information on this site and confirming a clicking noise was heard under the dash as well, I was able to remove the radio and glove box, replace the blend door actuator motor in about forty minutes at a cost of $60.00 for the part from the local Ford dealer. This site rocks!
True on the price from the dealer.. They make it sound like they have to pull the whole dash out.. THEY DON'T!!!! One trick you can do the next time you go to the dealer is to ask how many labor hours are in a repair that you are having done. Then tell them you will pick it up latter in the day or after work.. Then ride buy and look to see if its parked in a pick up area. Lot of times I have done this, the average total time of repair was thirty minutes.. One time i was charged a 2 hour labor rate for a job.I called a friend to see what was listed in there repair labor rate manual. It was 1 hour. The dealer had it fixed in 35 min. I was at a store and decided to ride buy. It was in the completed repair area of the service lot at the dealer. They were a little stunned by my surprise visit.. Ended up with a long story from the dealer and a refund.. So that twice now I had work done for free by the dealer.. I was going after there Chamber sticker on there door this time.. Bad business if you lose that..Membership..

I have been told CARQUEST and PEP-BOYS also has these now.. MUCH CHEAPER as well.. Blend door motor..

Thanks for the feedback garync1, you really hit the nail on the head! Your kind of advise in a forum like this is a saving grace for the DIY. Thanks again!

That is another good thing about a AlldataDIY subscription, or even having a factory repair manual.......even if you are not going to do ANY work on the vehicle yourself.
The Alldata information lists the factory standard repair time for repairs, and you can read up on what is involved.
Helps to know when they are blowing smoke.

:runaround: Just wanted to let you know the local Ford dealer wanted to charge my friend $600.00 to repair this problem. After finding the information on this site and confirming a clicking noise was heard under the dash as well, I was able to remove the radio and glove box, replace the blend door actuator motor in about forty minutes at a cost of $60.00 for the part from the local Ford dealer. This site rocks!

thanks for the information about the how to work on the control box for heater control behind the radio it helped thanks alot silverhawk77