heat quit working

hey all, yesterday when i started my explorer up, i tried to adjust the temp on my heater but no change. When i adjust the thermostat all i get is a clicking noise from under the dash. .Without removing everything from the dash.....got any ideas? Go figure.....when it starts to get cold it throws me a curve. Its a 2002 explorer xlt, 4.0 4WD. Any insight is appreciated. thanx

Check the vacuum lines coming off the intake under the hood that control the blend door.

yeah did that... the actuators for the dash, floor, and windshield vents all move when the switch is moved to that area, but when the thermostat knob is moved away from cold to warm all it does is click.

There is a blend door actuator in the system. It controls the heat. Sounds like there is a gear broken inside it not allowing the door to move.

I think Way2Old is correct on the blend door being the issue. This is a pretty common issue. You might want to try the fix described here (http://www.blenddoorfix.netfirms.com/) to save yourself some money.

-Rod

I had this same problem with my sisters 2003 Explorer. I took pictures and documented my work. The other fix suggested only applies to older Explorers. Ford changed the position of the actuator in newer models.

Have a look at my fix. Be sure to look at the problem I had with the replacement part at the end of the article.

http://www.redhouseon7th.com/redhouse/howto/2003FordExplorerBlendDoor/index.html

Good Luck
-Mike

Looks like good info, with good photos and detail. Thank you for taking the time to assemble that for other folk's benefit!!!

-Rod

I had to replace the rear blend door actuator in my 2002 Explorer. While trying to position the blend door by hand, I noticed that it was pretty easy to move, and wondered why even those little plastic gear teeth couldn't handle the stress. Then I turned the blower on high, and realized that it takes an enormous amount of torque to open/shut the blend door against the airflow when the blower is on high. To be sure, Ford screwed up using the little plastic gears, but I also suspect that these things (front and rear) would never break if we didn't try to change the temp setting from max cold to max hot immediately after turning the fan on high. Unfortunately it's a basic human instinct. I know this 'cause my kids were doing this with the backseat A/C controls right before someone started knocking on the side of the car.....

Try www.heatertreater.net they have a really easy fix for the blend door on fords, better than spending 1000.00 for the dealer to fix.