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1998 Ford Contour Repair Question


Topics covered: Engine, Heater, Vents.
Mileage: 112,000 miles.

Asked on August 8, 2011

Help

My air conditioner is working but the air is only coming out through the defrost vents.
Avatar Asked by masbas125

Answer

Replied on August 8, 2011

Look under the hood for a vacuum hose that's disconnected or cracked that feeds the vacuum controls for the heater / AC system.

Tiny Answered by caradiodoc (expert)
17,280 answers provided
Replied on August 9, 2011

No havent messed with anything yet. Check engine light came on and i had it checked and code came up so i bought the camshaft sensor to make it go away. They said it was an easy fix so i want to do it myself.

Tiny Response from masbas125
2 questions asked
Replied on August 9, 2011

Wrong question sorry wrong i meant to ask i couldn't find a leak should i just change the hose anyway.

Tiny Response from masbas125
2 questions asked

Replied on August 9, 2011

If there's no leak, there's no point in replacing a hose. Blowing from just the vents under the windshield is a common problem with vacuum-controlled systems. The various vacuum motors are spring-loaded to go to the defrost position when there's a failure. Your feet might freeze in winter but the windshield will be clear.

Before tearing into the dash to check for vacuum, look for a small plastic hose going from the engine to the firewall. There will usually be some kind of check valve or storage canister inline with that hose. That's a good place to check for vacuum when the engine is running.

If you hear something moving in the dash when you operate the heater controls, there could be a defective actuator or a broken linkage. The clue is some functions will work and others won't. It's when nothing changes and there's no sounds that a loss of vacuum should be suspected.

Tiny Answered by caradiodoc (expert)
17,280 answers provided