98 Windstar Heating/Cooling

[clearwat]

Bought a 1998 Windstar two weeks ago, slowly working out the issues from the previous owner. However, I have seemed to create a new issue now. The other day the temperature got up into the 60's and I wanted to test the A/C to see if it worked. It seemed to, but when I shut it off I heard a hissing sound from in the dash or under the hood. Now I can't change air flow from defrost to anything else. I still hear a hissing noise. I suspect a vaccuum leak, but it seems odd that kicking the A/C on would have caused a vacuum leak. I did however add some brake fluid, maybe I hit a vaccuum line then. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[garync1]

Not sure on the 98 model but there should be small hoses that actuate the blend door from hot to cold.. You may want to pull the cowl off to locate...

[bd2008]

Well, seeing as how I used to have one of these, let me try. One of the things I had found out about my '98 was there is a "plastic" (read junk) flap inside the whole contraption that moves back and forth when you actuate it. The only problem is, eventually, the flap gets stuck or your switch breaks or both, like me;-)
That may not be the only cause of your hissing sound but when mine did it, it sounded horrible. I ended up going inside the darn thing and switching it manually. It was held in place by two flexible steel straps which I had laying around. I don't recommend it though. Take it to a technician and or someone(such as yourself) and trim down the size of that door. Hope this helps.

[clearwat]

Update: I pulled the switches out while the engine was running trying to locate the air leak. Turned out to be the rear heat/cool control switch was leaking. I undid the vaccuum lines plugged them with my thumb and the front controls would then work fine. Went to Ford, got a new rear switch. Seems to be back in action now. $30 fix. Just bought this van, last week the alternator went out, this week the switch. Wonder whats next week?

[bd2008]

Well, believe it or not, from my previous post I really liked my '98. Other than the heater thing and having the windshield broken a few times and replacing the shocks and struts along with the brakes and housings it was a very dependable vehicle. Don't freak on the repair list, it had over two-hundred thousand on it when it finally went kaput! I was very meticulous on the maintenance schedule. Oh, I almost forgot, when it hit 73,000 miles the tranny went out. It ended up being a warranty issue and it seemed to be pretty common with the '98's. Check to see if its the oem tranny or if its been replaced already. The second one went way further than the first and even after all this I would still recommend the Windstar. Most of it was either general maintenance and a few glitches here and there. And last but not least, keep the whole flap thing in mind just in case. If its not too cold where your at then it may never become an issue.

[bd2008]

Shoot! I almost forgot. If the alternator went out, then you need to make sure your battery is checked out as well and possibly fully charged at the time. Most auto parts stores do this for free and it can save you a headache. The alt and batt seem to feed off of each other and it can become a vicious loop. Whenever you replace a battery, get the alt checked and vice versa.