All air blows from defroster only...

[shivey]

I know it's probably a vacuum leak, but where, specifically, do I look? BTW, I have a "96 Contour. Also, might any of my problems be electrical? My friends and I have been beating ourselves up trying to fix this car. Thanx in advance!

[beyondloadedSE]

Look underneath the drivers side footwell up above the gas pedal. Youll see a metal gadget about the side of baseball with 2 vacuum lines if i remember correctly. One of them has fallen off. Plug it back in and your good to go.

[shivey]

Thanx beyondloadedSE, but that was'nt the problem. I did notice, however, that when I pulled each of the hoses off the baseball-thingy...each was sucking air nicely. The engine was'nt running, and had'nt run for 24 hrs.. I noticed, also, that when I turned the switch from def to panel to floor, etc, that that little white arm behind the glovebox (could barely see it) was moving up and down with regularity. So maybe it's not a vacuum problem. Actuator bad? Something else? Any mre suggestions would certainly be appreciated. Thanx again.

[beyondloadedSE]

hmm...I figured that would have fixed it. Its a pretty common problem. Might want to check the dealership. I believe there was a recall on this.

[crabapple23]

there is indeed a recall on this problem . . . free fix at the dealer.

[shivey]

Thanx, Crabapple. I'll definitely check with my dealer! I worked on it for 3-4 hrs the other day, and have given up on it.

[shivey]

Actually, guys, there is'nt a recall on anything contributing to or causing my problem....according to Ford CS and my local Ford dealer. There is a Customer Satisfaction free fix on the heater blower switch that's good for 10 yrs or 150,000 mi, if it happens to go bad. But the mechanism(s) that governs air allocation (def, panel, floor) is not included. And my "96 Contour is not a rag. It has been garage-kept, well maintained and only has 80,000 mi on it. Can't help but think there's an easy fix that I'm overlooking.

[Car Pal]

vacuum at the cotnrol head is supplied from engine intake.
if there is vacuum ,behind the control;replace the head.

[shivey]

Thanx, Car Pal. But what/where is the control head...and how much of a job is it to replace it? Thanx, in advance.

[Car Pal]

the control head is the panel with all the knobs.I'm pretty sure you can pull the whole plastic finish panel;radio,control head etc.there will be vacuum lines at the backside of the head. make sure the car is started and then check for vacuum at the lines.

[Car Pal]

make sure you check the vacuum lines under the passeger side dash board. the cover is held on by push pins.

[1999sesport]

well i have a 99 contour 2.5 and i have the same problem i looked at the baseball thingy and its fine, i was wondering if the problem was those vaccume lines behind the control panel (shivey)??? or did you end up bringing it to the dealership or did you just leave it???

[opaque1997]

I am so glad others are having simuliar problems - my heat sounds like it blows into the console - I swear this is a recall but Ford will nto tell me it is - I am soo fusterated - I can hear the white arm clicking down when I turn the heat on and off - I have found that if I put it on high and wait eventually it will work itself out to blowing and then it will work for a while...

[barretire]

It also could be your control panel

[SarahBHall]

Originally Posted by shivey

I know it's probably a vacuum leak, but where, specifically, do I look? BTW, I have a "96 Contour. Also, might any of my problems be electrical? My friends and I have been beating ourselves up trying to fix this car. Thanx in advance!

My contour was the same and it was the knob slipping of the rail behind it under the dash you can see it if you look behind that part of the dash. You don't have to take the dash apart either.