Front Heater Not Blowing Very Strong FIX ?!?!

[woscarr]

Ok it seems my 98TSP has this problem also.

I had a quick look at it the other day. Checking the cabin air filter compartment everything looks a ok. Filters not clogged, fan blowing strong. Now checking at the vents on the dash with the heater on full (5) very little air blows out, it's good and hot but not enough air movement. Switching from defrost, heater & vents had the same results.

I plan on tackling this myself and was hoping someone here has beat me to it (the solution) and would enlighten me a little as to what I'm looking at here.

** I've heard talk of 'blend gates' behind the radio sticking and causing this. If so has anyone fixed the problem.

** Could it be clogged heater core, not the internal part but exterior where air is sucked through it.

** Has anyone went up under the dash to the heater core. Do you have to pull much to get at it. Is there anyway to get in there for visual inspection of core/blend gate & check for air flow ?

I don't freeze or nothing, just would like to have it work somewhat normal. On my company vehicle 99 windstar when warmed up heater on low is almost too much heat, but with my 98TSP with heater on full is just barely enough.

Thanks in advance.
Wayne

[LMP]

I'm not personally current on the '98 but my interpetration is they have solved the clogging problem by having this filter installed up front on the intake that prevents the A/C evaporator clog that was a common plague on 90-96 transports, bonnevilles and the like. IN as much as the blend gate is concerned, this would have effect mostly on the air temperature (air split between heated and bypassed air), not the amount of the air coming out.
Nevertheless, it is possible several traps "fail closed" if they are not energized for lack of vacuum. I'd look for pinched, disconnected vacuum lines, specially if the change happened on a sudden and specially if just after some work done on the car. Have you checked on the Montana forum? I suggest you post your question there too. I searched through that forum finding no definite answers though but may be asking now would bring in new clues.

[cdru]

It's somewhat a pain to get to the heater core, but not impossible. I doubt a plugged core is your problem.

[fips]

I am very interested in the clue of this.
I do have the same problem with my 99er. I plan to have a close look, when it is warm again. With no garage it better to have little warm air than frozen fingers by unsrewing half the car.

[woscarr]

Thanks for all the input everyone.

I don't plan on tackling this until the weather is a bit nicer here in Eastern Canada. Stuck with the winter blues here !!

I have been brain storming it a bit and playing with it a bit. I'm tending to lean towards a possible vacuum problem (as LMP mentioned). Switching the dial I can here vacuum actuators working (changing air flow direction from heater to defrost ect...), I'm wondering if maybe something is maybe sticking/ partially opening because of seizing/weak vacuum or possibly even trouble at the switch. Is the vacuum porting through the switch on the dash or is it electronically controlled !?

As far as sufficient heat is concerned, putting your hand next to the vent the air is very hot. But if you were to point the vent at your face (something one might do for a few moments on a hot summer day) and turn fan on full you can barely feel a breeze form normal sitting posistion ! (something ain't right here) !

I've owned the van over three months now, when warmed up whether it's 15 c or - 15 c outside the temperature gauge reads the same (the first big notch), never fluctuates.

So like I said folk's... We'll figure this out yet.

Cheer's
Wayne