Blowing defrost only AGAIN

[Deezuz]

I just changed this ******** motor 3 months ago. What a complete pain in the ass job too.

Any idea why it's broken again?

 

[FREAK_SHO]

Ford HVAC systems suck, for many, many years now..

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

I just changed this ******** motor 3 months ago. What a complete pain in the ass job too.

Any idea why it's broken again?

Here's why:

 

[Deezuz]

P1086 again.

Tapped it with screwdriver. Works again but who knows for how long.

 

[thor151]

P1086 again.

Tapped it with screwdriver. Works again but who knows for how long.

Which one is this and can you access it? Mine is doing the same thing. Defrost and floor only, nothing coming out the vents. Thanks.

 

[Deezuz]

I went in and changed them both again. I can't remember off hand. The upper one I feel is the mode door... But again, cluster out, steering column lowered, pain in the ass.

 

[kryptto]

The upper one I feel is the mode door... But again, cluster out, steering column lowered, pain in the ass.

So one looks like its behind and accessible from the glove box. WTF is the driver side one?

 

[kryptto]

so wait.... its behind here?

 

[Texas Marauder]

Left side upper is mode actuator. Left side lower is LH blend actuator. Right side above cabin air filter is air inlet actuator. Right side to the left of air inlet actuator is RH blend actuator.

 

[kryptto]

Left side upper is mode actuator. Left side lower is LH blend actuator. Right side above cabin air filter is air inlet actuator. Right side to the left of air inlet actuator is RH blend actuator.

I guess the ask is where on the driver side do you go to get to it? Looks like knee panel - steering column metal - all off - then off to the center dash I take it?

 

[Deezuz]

Just please have fun.... Once you find the lower one.. Look straight up.. It's waaay up there.

I lost a 8mm swivel socket somewhere in there and just let er be... RIP.

 

[kryptto]

Just please have fun.... Once you find the lower one.. Look straight up.. It's waaay up there.

I lost a 8mm swivel socket somewhere in there and just let er be... RIP.View attachment 88255

Wait - seriously - for a maintenance item that has a high failure rate - WTF - this whole thing made my a-hole pucker. Look I can get dirty with the best of ya - but you need to take all that apart for a mechanical item failure?

 

[Texas Marauder]

Which one? The LH blend actuator can be accessed from under the dash. No need to disassemble the dash. The mode actuator is near the top of the dash. Much more involved.

 

[Deezuz]

I wouldn't call it a maintenence item. I'd call it a weak link that's very inconvenient to change. I have bigger hands/arms... But I dont even think a skinny guy could get up there

 

[Deezuz]

Mode = Def floor panel.
Blend= hot vs cold.

 

[Ecoboost_xsport]

The Definitive Guide to Replacing the HVAC Directional Door Actuator [Step-By-Step Guide]

This was one of those things to fail that you just KNOW is going to be a pain in the ass. Guess what? It is! The actuator was stuck on defrost and I could never get it out of that position. Did some research and found that they fail often. Ford uses these in various […]

www.fortheworkshop.com

 

[xekrubx]

Oh good. Some more nonsense in my future.
I had a 97 mountaineer that had a busted blend door stuck on hot. Seller said "Heat is amazing". She wasnt wrong. But those Explorers and Mountaineers physically broke the blend door. I never fixed it.
I did have Grand Prix that had dual zone. When one side got cold in the winter we knew the actuator let go. That was a nice contortion fest
At how many miles would you say these start to fail? I just bought my 2015 a month ago and the AC has been amazing.
(Ive never had working AC and never cared enough to fix them)

 

[Deezuz]

Best practice is to set blower speed to low, then switch modes... The air pressure puts a ton of stress on these little guys.