Defrost airflow door/diverter

[izaquad]

Does anyone have or know where I can get a good picture showing how the vacuum motor/actuater hooks up to the defroster airflow door/diverter? This is on a '98 windstar. Thanks
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Previous owner had unhooked defrost door. Switch in dash for rear heat/ac was bad. Neighbor came over and helped out. Had to take vacuum motor off of vent housing then hook to defrost door and bolt motor back on. My wife is very pleased.

[Andrew1941]

There are lots of post about this stuff, but I have a 2001 and think it is probably similar. The diverter door is actuated by a small white box about the size of a cigarette package directly behind the radio. You pull the radio out (need the Ford tool for about $10) and then you remove the controls and the centre console. This gives you pretty good access to the actuator. It comes out with a few screws and one wire harness if my memory is correct. The actuator box is just clipped together on the sides and pops open easily. Check the gears out for any broken or missing teeth. They are all plastic and wear out. I recall reading that a new actuator is not that expensive. I had mine out in about 20 minutes, but there was nothing wrong with it. That would have been too easy. I think I have a partially plugged heater core...sorry, I didn't take any pictures.

[wiswind]

That FORD radio removal tool can be bought at many places that sell car stereo.....Like Best Buy, Circuit City, etc

It is just a sort of "U" shaped wire......usually 2 of them....you insert the ends into the small holes that are at the corners of the radio face plate......and follow the instructions that come with the tool.......to wiggle the wires to release the little "latches" that will enable you to pull the radio forward.

A word of caution.....when working in the console......inside the console.....down at the bottom....by the floor.....there is a small assembly that has a wire harness going to it......it is positioned somewhat standing up........
This is NOT a amplifier.......it is the Air Bag Controller......so don't mess with any wires going to it.....or the wire harness that connects to it.
You will NOT need to mess with this unit at ALL in removing your radio......or connecting anything to the radio.
My concern is that someone may think that it is a amplifier for the radio....and decide to modify something relative to this air bag controller.......and deploy their airbags.