98 Rear AC/Heat fix! IMRC parts MUCH Cheaper also!

[bear_1961]

This is easy and relatively cheap. If you can't get the cold air to blow out the roof and side vents and instead get only heat out of the floor vent even when you have the rear AC selected this will probably do the trick. (It did on mine.) Selector Switch in front control panel that controls rear heat and air is bad. EASY to install also. Takes 10 minutes. Pull out ashtray and remove the two screws that are now exposed. The entire trim panel will then pull lose with just a little effort, take it slow and easy and be patient. Next remove the four screws holding the HVAC control panel in place. Pull out control panel and remove one screw holding switch in place. Unplug wire harness and B/W vacuum lines. Install new switch and reverse procedure. Takes 20 minutes or less.

Order part #F68Z19986AA, cost is $14.09 plus $8.50 shipping if ordered from Millenium Ford in Seattle, Washington. I ordered the part last Friday and it got here yesterday at 5:00 PM and I had cool air blowing from the roof and side vents by 5:30 PM. Cooooooool Man.

Part must be ordered on line to get the lower price. Otherwise if you call it will be $24.88 plus shipping.

www.y2kford.com/default.aspx?html=parts.html

Follow above link and order by part number. (NO, I do not work for or am in anyway associated with Millennium Ford. They are just the cheapest supplier I found!)

They also have the intake manifold runner control's (IMRC"S) for $138.21 (each) plus shipping. Shipping is around $20.00 from Seattle, Washington to Alabama. Local Ford dealers wanted $279.99 (each) for these little actuators.
Part #F65Z-9S514-DA and #F65Z-9S514-CC

Best of luck, it's a snap. Life is good when you have friends...

[3d914]

Thanks Bear,

My family will appreciate having cold rear AC on our trip next week.

Enjoy!

[amhjewel]

Hey thankyou for the advice as well. I bought a 98 Windstar last week and my kids were mad at me for buying the van with hot air in the rear. The problem is just as described, and the dealer told me it was probably a switch. Thanks to your directions on how to do it I am going to tackle this one myself.

[bear_1961]

I am 99% sure this will fix your problem and it is "VERY EASY" to do. Just be patient and deliberate and your kids will be chillin in no time. I have done this same repair on friends Windstars and this fixes it every time without fail! Happy motoring and let me know how it goes. Best of luck!

Originally Posted by amhjewel

Hey thankyou for the advice as well. I bought a 98 Windstar last week and my kids were mad at me for buying the van with hot air in the rear. The problem is just as described, and the dealer told me it was probably a switch. Thanks to your directions on how to do it I am going to tackle this one myself.

[ruggratt]

Does anyone know if this part number is the same on a 1996 Windstar?

[Y2KFORD]

Thanks for the prop's bear. I try and help everyone out with the best prices for there Fords.

Ed Olson
Parts Manager
y2kford.com

www.discountfordpartsaty2kford.com

Originally Posted by bear_1961

This is easy and relatively cheap. If you can't get the cold air to blow out the roof and side vents and instead get only heat out of the floor vent even when you have the rear AC selected this will probably do the trick. (It did on mine.) Selector Switch in front control panel that controls rear heat and air is bad. EASY to install also. Takes 10 minutes. Pull out ashtray and remove the two screws that are now exposed. The entire trim panel will then pull lose with just a little effort, take it slow and easy and be patient. Next remove the four screws holding the HVAC control panel in place. Pull out control panel and remove one screw holding switch in place. Unplug wire harness and B/W vacuum lines. Install new switch and reverse procedure. Takes 20 minutes or less.

Order part #F68Z19986AA, cost is $14.09 plus $8.50 shipping if ordered from Millenium Ford in Seattle, Washington. I ordered the part last Friday and it got here yesterday at 5:00 PM and I had cool air blowing from the roof and side vents by 5:30 PM. Cooooooool Man.

Part must be ordered on line to get the lower price. Otherwise if you call it will be $24.88 plus shipping.

www.y2kford.com/default.aspx?html=parts.html

Follow above link and order by part number. (NO, I do not work for or am in anyway associated with Millennium Ford. They are just the cheapest supplier I found!)

They also have the intake manifold runner control's (IMRC"S) for $138.21 (each) plus shipping. Shipping is around $20.00 from Seattle, Washington to Alabama. Local Ford dealers wanted $279.99 (each) for these little actuators.
Part #F65Z-9S514-DA and #F65Z-9S514-CC

Best of luck, it's a snap. Life is good when you have friends...

[bear_1961]

No problem, I have searched high and low for the best deal and service on parts for my FORD's and you guys are hands down the best there is out there. I live within 10 minutes of two different FORD dealerships and there service is absolutely terrible. I would rather order something I need from you and wait a few days to get it then deal with the hassle of these local guys who act like they are doing me a big favor by even speaking to me at the parts counter. Keep up the good work and you will always have my business and recommenations.

Barry in Bama

Originally Posted by Y2KFORD

Thanks for the prop's bear. I try and help everyone out with the best prices for there Fords.

Ed Olson
Parts Manager
y2kford.com

www.discountfordpartsaty2kford.com

[tasteph]

Originally Posted by bear_1961

No problem, I have searched high and low for the best deal and service on parts for my FORD's and you guys are hands down the best there is out there. I live within 10 minutes of two different FORD dealerships and there service is absolutely terrible. I would rather order something I need from you and wait a few days to get it then deal with the hassle of these local guys who act like they are doing me a big favor by even speaking to me at the parts counter. Keep up the good work and you will always have my business and recommenations.

Barry in Bama

I’ve got a ‘96 Windstar that the rear AC/Heat blower works but no air comes out from vents. Also the front AC/Heat blower works but the air through the vents is intermittent, the front air it will come from defrost only when it isn’t coming from the other vents. I’ve checked on the site that you provided and was looking at some parts list/prices, I left a message and received a quick reply already. Sent my response to the question asked by them, seems to be very helpful place and hopefully I can get my problem resolved too.

Thanks for the link, by the way I’m in ‘Bama too.

[bear_1961]

Where r u at in Bama? I'm in the Huntsville area.
Now to your problem, you have an air leak somewhere in your controls for your climate controls. That entire system operates off of a vacuum and vacuum motors and vacuum switches. My problem was that a seal located in the switch for the rear controls had dried out and was leaking. This seal is smaller than the head of an eraser but if it leaks nothing works right. unfortunately you have to buy the entire switch not just the seal but the switch from these guys in Seatle is only 14.00 and change. I can't say that this seal is your problem as you seem to be having other problems as well but I can tell you if this is the original switch that it is definately already bad and is contributing to the problem. None of these seals on this switch last longer than 3 years and then they are dried up and leaking. The folks at y2k ford are top notch, I "HIGHLY" recommend them. They will get all of my parts business until they piss me off which hopefully will never happen. Hope this helps, best of luck and have a safe and happy thanksgiving.

Barry in Bama

Originally Posted by tasteph

I’ve got a ‘96 Windstar that the rear AC/Heat blower works but no air comes out from vents. Also the front AC/Heat blower works but the air through the vents is intermittent, the front air it will come from defrost only when it isn’t coming from the other vents. I’ve checked on the site that you provided and was looking at some parts list/prices, I left a message and received a quick reply already. Sent my response to the question asked by them, seems to be very helpful place and hopefully I can get my problem resolved too.

Thanks for the link, by the way I’m in ‘Bama too.

[tasteph]

Originally Posted by bear_1961

Where r u at in Bama? I'm in the Huntsville area.
Now to your problem, you have an air leak somewhere in your controls for your climate controls. That entire system operates off of a vacuum and vacuum motors and vacuum switches. My problem was that a seal located in the switch for the rear controls had dried out and was leaking. This seal is smaller than the head of an eraser but if it leaks nothing works right. unfortunately you have to buy the entire switch not just the seal but the switch from these guys in Seatle is only 14.00 and change. I can't say that this seal is your problem as you seem to be having other problems as well but I can tell you if this is the original switch that it is definately already bad and is contributing to the problem. None of these seals on this switch last longer than 3 years and then they are dried up and leaking. The folks at y2k ford are top notch, I "HIGHLY" recommend them. They will get all of my parts business until they piss me off which hopefully will never happen. Hope this helps, best of luck and have a safe and happy thanksgiving.

Barry in Bama

I’m in Anniston, used to live in the BIG city of Arab many years ago been to H’ville many times.

From my research I’ve been doing you are most likely correct, everything seems to indicate a vacuum problem and I have seen the price/parts list at y2k Ford. (Really good prices including shipping charges.) Hope you have a good Thanksgiving also.

[wiswind]

Y2K is very quick to answer emails, and very fast to ship. If they have to back order your part...they send you an email right away.
I like them for the great service, as well as the price.

[pennstatejeff]

Don't know if this thread is still active or viewed by the original post-ers, but I have a question about the reliability of the Rear Control Switch. I replaced mine about 2 years ago (bought the switch from local Ford dealer) but now seem to be having problems again. Have not checked A/C functionability yet as we're still getting finished with winter, but while using the 98 Windstar this weekend for Boy Scout camping trip I noticed that rear unit blows very hot air at maximum blower speed no matter what the settings up front or on the rear control panel. Any chance this is related to that same Rear Control Switch? Hence my question about the reliability of the switch. If anyone knows a possibly cause other than the Rear Control Switch, I'm all ears!!! Thanks.

pennstatejeff

[Freakzilla69]

I've replaced mine twice and need another.

[3d914]

Here is another source for the IMRC valves. Last I tried Y2K in early 2010, their price was nearly $240.

AutohausAZ has them for under $175 currently.

[gmco]

Thanks to bear_1961. Your fix (replace the console Front/Rear switch) worked great. Took less than 1/2 hour. Motorcraft part YH-1465 (F68Z19968-AA), less than $25 from Amazon.

Regarding the IMRC valves, just got one from am-autoparts on eBay for $70. Very high feedback ratings. Part was a Chinese compatible -- not sure how long it will last, but it works.