8.9
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $230
- Average Mileage:
- 117,750 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 9 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (8 reports)
- replaced heater box (1 reports)
Jul 172007
(reported on)Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 130,000 miles
Experienced same problem as several others: With A/C on, heat blows out front vents. After two days at the mechanic, the problem was found and resolved.
I am not a mechanic, so forgive any errors in my explanation. I believe the concept is accurate.
When using the A/C or heater, the blend panel (part of the heater box unit inside the dash) directs air over the heating or cooling coils. This panel is controlled by the blend panel actuator or motor. The actuator connects to the blend panel via plastic fins that are molded as part of the blend panel. Somehow, the fins on my blend panel had broken off, so the motor was not able to move the panel. According to the mechanic, Ford does not sell the blend panel as a separate part, but as part of the heater box. The heater box price is ~$800. Replacing the heater box is a 7 hour job, since the dash has to be removed. Since it took two days to find and fix the problem, the mechanic only charged me for 3 hours labor and his cost on the part, which was $350. Temp today is 100 degrees. Cold air feels nice.
- ct, Centennial, CO, US
I just get cold air, no matter where the setting is. It's not thermostat. It's the blend door. Ford has known this problem for awhile, but has done nothing to remedy the problem. To fix costs approximately 700 dollars.
- Jose V., Elpaso, TX, US
Last week my I turned my heater on and noticed there was no heat. I turned off the heater for a minute then turned it back on. Very hot air blew for 20-30 seconds then got cold. I just took a 1000 mile trip in the cold and I had to turn on the heater for 30 seconds at a time to keep warm for 6 hours. A real PAIN.
I'm thinking that the thermostat must be turning off the heater too soon. Hopefully this is a easy fix!
- pancamo, Houston, TX, US
The heater will blow warm air, not heat, in the front, but the back air will be cool. The dealership would not fix the problem, because they are uncertain of the problem. My car never warms up. It is always cool inside now that it is fall.
- Lynette F., Savannah, GA, US
Last winter it started, I turned on the heat in my truck and it blows hot air out thru the rear vents but up front, it is FREEZING cold. Just the opposite happened this summer, the A/C blew out HOT air thru the front vents and the rear seemed to work perfectly fine. The local Ford dealership is "clueless". They said they have never seen this problem ever before. ???? HELP!!!!!
- Tim D., Florence, KY, US
Took truck in this morning to dealer. Had it for 8 hrs. & called me and said that I owe them $37.00 for a diagnostic test. However, they don't know what is wrong with truck. They can order a part that "may" be the problem but no guarantee that it would fix problem. Part is called a "blend door heater box" Cost would be $870.00 for this part including labor. I said, "no way". Why should i pay for something that you don't even know is the problem. They said they haver "never" seen this type of problem before. The rear air and heat works perfectly. However, the front blows hot air when the a/c is on, and get this, wait until this winter.... all of you Expedition owners out there..... when you turn your heat on it blows hot in the rear, but the front air blows ICE cold. It makes it very difficult to drive when the weather is bad because your windshield freezes over when you're trying to drive. Makes it IMPOSSIBLE to drive this vehicle in the snow and ice. Your wipers don't work too well on a windshield that freezes over.
- Tim D., Florence, KY, US
I'm having a problem with my 1999 Ford Expedition A/C. It's blowing hot air in the front and cold air in the back. I'v taking it in several time and the mechanics can not find a thing. It cost me over $500 and it is driving me crazy. How did you solve your problem? Thank you for any help your can provide.
- Tony F., Phila, PA, US
its hot and when you turn on the ac you expect the air to be cool, instead hot air blows out of the front vents, but in rear, the rear is cool. this is awful.
- Aubrey B., Greenbelt, MD, US
I have a 99 ford expedition with heating problems. It will heat in the middle section for about 15 seconds then you can feel it go to cold air. We have changed the blend door actuator, thermostat, and flushed it 3 times. 2 times with a water hose and 1 time we took it and had it done with acid. Keep in mind while they were flushing it with the acid it was working but about 5 mins after they were done it went back to cold air. Also, in the middle section it will work for about 10-15 seconds and then you can feel the hot air going cold. I turn it off for about 10 mins and turn back on and will be hot air for about 10-15 seconds and u can keep on repeating this process. Please help!!! It’s getting cold out and I have 3 kids!!!!
- Rachel W., Paducah, KY, US