Heat out of Vents only

[tempfixit]

03, 3.8 engine, 165k

No heat out of the defroster or floor positions. Could the codes P0171, 0174, 0401, 0303, 0301 and 0302Pending cause this problem?? I read the no vacuum to contoler should create a defroster mode only. I plan on doing the isolator bolt seals and cleaning of the egr ports.

I have not had a chance to look for bad or disconnected vacuum lines yet.

Any suggestions would be great

thanks

[wiswind]

A lot of codes, many of which could be from 1 cause.
A disconnected hose......the right hose, could cause those codes.
But, so could a lot of other things.

Your 2003 is a lot newer than the 1996 that I have experience with, so my pictures might help you SOME, but there are a lot of differences.

You ARE correct, lack of vaccum to the directional doors should have all the air go to the defroster......no defrost in Wisconsin right now is NOT a good thing.

Hopefully, you can find posts from folks with 2003 Windstar that can give you some pointers.
Also, hoping that someone with a 2003 will chime in.

If you are looking into doing the isolator bolt replacement.
You may already have found this link, but I repost it here because it is just that good for what you are doing.
http://leckemby.net/windstar/windstar01.html

Note that the 2003 should have the improved front valve cover in place already.
Also note that the 3.8L Windstars that are older than 1999 have the PCV valve in the rear valve cover and the breather tube in the front valve cover.....so looking at my pictures will cause you confusion in that regard.
1999 and newer have the PCV valve in the front valve cover as shown in the leckemby link.

While working around that intake....don't forget to verify that the IMRC shafts are connected to the electrical IMRC actuator.
It is common for the clips that connect the 2 shafts....1 shaft for the front bank butterfly valves and the 2nd shaft for the rear bank butterfly valves.
You can purchase replacement clips.
If you don't have clips handy at the time, fasten the shafts so that the butterflies (flaps in the 2nd port for each cylinder) are CLOSED.
Your engine will run just fine with them closed all the time, you just don't get that power boost when you accelerate hard.
If they are open at lower idle speeds, you can have some of those codes that you are getting.
I'm sure that you can see where 1 bank being open and the other bank being closed will cause the computer (PCM) to go crazy trying to control an unbalanced airflow entering the cylinders.

Don't hesitate to post back if you have any questions.

[usstitanic]

Look for the pinned topic "Important: 2000 Ford Windstar - no heat - actuator" in the front page. You controller is electric, not vacuum. It is located behind the radio in your dash. The controller module is made of cheap plastic. Advance Auto Parts carries it (Doorman part?). Replace it and hope for the best.

[TheBackyardDIYer]

Originally Posted by wiswind

While working around that intake....don't forget to verify that the IMRC shafts are connected to the electrical IMRC actuator.
It is common for the clips that connect the 2 shafts....1 shaft for the front bank butterfly valves and the 2nd shaft for the rear bank butterfly valves.
You can purchase replacement clips.

I'm about to tackle the isolater job in the next week or so and was reading the posts about the IRMC clips...Is it the Intake Manifold Vacuum Retainer Bushing DORMAN Part # 47099? If so, how many of these things are needed? That way I can go ahead and get some in case they are needed.

Thanks in advance,
Lee

[tempfixit]

Originally Posted by TheBackyardDIYer

I'm about to tackle the isolater job in the next week or so and was reading the posts about the IRMC clips...Is it the Intake Manifold Vacuum Retainer Bushing DORMAN Part # 47099? If so, how many of these things are needed? That way I can go ahead and get some in case they are needed.

Thanks in advance,
Lee

Backyard here is alink to orielys that has them, 5 in a pack but you should only need 2, never hurts to have spares.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...2003&make=Ford

[tempfixit]

Thanks wiswind and usstitanic,

wiswind I will check out all of yoiur suggestions, I forgot about the intake manifold runners.

usstitanic, I have looked at the sticky you refer too. Unless I am misunderstanding the blend door actuator comtrols the hot and cold air correct. The heat works fine,
the problem I have is the heat only comes out of the vents not the defroster or any floor passages. The heat does not come out of the defroster when so directed on the control switch. I thinking either a bad vacuum leak or the switch is faulty.
thoughts

thanks

[usstitanic]

Sorry I gave you the wrong link. I never had that problem so I cannot help you.

[TheBackyardDIYer]

Originally Posted by tempfixit

Backyard here is alink to orielys that has them, 5 in a pack but you should only need 2, never hurts to have spares.

Thanks!

[wiswind]

Blend door is electric motor driven and controls the blend of heated air that travels over the hot heater core with air that does not pass over the heater core.
The doors that control where the air goes (heated or not heated) are vaccum driven.

[tempfixit]

Today I did take a lok and found that a vaccum hose was disconnected on the paaenger side of the intake manifold. I believe it was the red and black hoses connector. I erased the codes and took a short drive, the lean codes did not return but I did get codes P0303 and 0306.

I tested the blend door which works the way it should. I did hear a sound that appeared to be the switch telling the duct door position to change . I am thing now that the duct door is not moving, I will need to trouble shoot when it gets warmer.

Where is this door located under the dash, it sounded like behind the radio area????


thanks

[wiswind]

I remember there being several doors up under the dashboard.
Look for the vaccum lines going to the actuators.

One of them is shown in this picture....just 1 orange colored vaccum line going to it.
This is on my 1996, so things might look a little different up under your dash.
This is behind the glove box, but there are several doors, so you will need to look around to find the one(s) not moving when you move the selector knob.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4157486...57632198092975

[Grabber5.0]

One of these days I should install the new IMRC clips I bought a year ago when I replaced the intake gasket.