Heater not working

Tiny
LINNEA MONET
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
  • 4.0L
  • 100,000 MILES
My compressor stopped working one hot summer day. Made a horrible noise and stopped working. Honestly thought the truck was going to blow up.
So I finally got another compressor. Went to swap it out and found out previous owner put lock tight on the bolts. That was fun to get off, let me tell ya. Got the new one on. Vacuumed the system and did a recharge.
So I have dual climate and the air blows at almost Arctic temperature in the rear. But no matter what I do it only blows a teeny tiny bit up front. And only at the windshield and by feet. I have found that if I'm doing a three hour trip on the NYS thruway at 75-80 it really kicks on and it gets cold.

Now recently my heat has been giving me issues. Right now it's winter in Western NY. And seriously cold. It doesn't heat up much unless I have the rear heat on, dual setting, heat up to 90 degrees, fan on high. And even then it takes about half an hour to really warm up. But once it does boy it thaws you out.

What is is wrong with this truck?
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Friday, February 8th, 2019 AT 12:53 PM

41 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

Okay, it sounds like you have a few different issues. Since the heat is most important at this time, lets start with that.

This guide can help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-heater-not-working

First, I live south of you in PA. Same thing here with temps. Tell me, how long does it take for the engine to warm up? If the thermostat is sticking slightly open, it will take an extended period of time before it warms up.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-an-engine-thermostat-works

Pay attention tomorrow when you drive how long it takes to reach operating temp. Once I know what you find, I can better direct you.

There are two actuators which operate what are called blend air doors. There is one for each side. Their basic function is to allow heat or AC to enter the vehicle. If they are not working properly, they may be limiting the amount of heat entering the vehicle.

____________________________________________________

If you find the engine is taking an extended amount of time to heat up, here is a link that shows how to replace a thermostat.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-thermostat

Here are the directions specific to your vehicle.

Removal and Installation

1. Drain the engine cooling system.

2. Release the clamp and disconnect the upper radiator hose from the thermostat housing cover.

3. Remove the bolts and the thermostat housing cover.
- To install, tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).

4. Remove the thermostat.

5. NOTE: Inspect the thermostat housing cover O-ring seal. Install a new O-ring seal if necessary.

To install, reverse the removal procedure.

____________________________________________________________________

Here are the directions for the blend air door actuators. I will start with the driver's side.

TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR - LH

See Picture 3

Removal and Installation
1. Remove the LH floor console finish panel. See: Console > Removal and Replacement

Picture 4

2. Position the in-vehicle temperature sensor aspirator hose away from the LH temperature blend door actuator.
3. Remove the 3 LH temperature blend door actuator screws.
4. Disconnect the LH temperature blend door actuator electrical connector.
5. Remove the LH temperature blend door actuator.
6. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

________________________________________________

TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR - RH, EATC

Picture 5

Removal and Installation
1. Remove the RH floor console finish panel. See: Console > Removal and Replacement

Picture 6

2. Lower the glove compartment.
3. Disconnect the RH temperature blend door actuator electrical connector.
4. Remove the 3 RH temperature blend door actuator screws.
5. Remove the RH temperature blend door actuator.
6. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

________________________________________

One last thing. You indicate the air flow is only defrost or lower. The air flow via the vents is controlled by a vacuum motor. Either there is no vacuum to it, something is disconnected, or the vacuum motor has failed.

Here are the directions for replacing it.

VACUUM CONTROL MOTOR - PANEL DOOR

Picture 7

Removal and Installation
1. Remove the audio control module (ACM).
2. Lower the glove compartment.
3. Remove the 3 center panel duct screws and position the center panel duct aside.

Picture 8

4. Remove the 2 plenum chamber screws.

Picture 9

5. Disconnect the panel door vacuum control motor vacuum connector.
6. Remove the 2 panel door vacuum control motor screws.

7. NOTE: The plenum chamber must be slightly repositioned to allow the panel door vacuum control motor to be rotated far enough to clear the retaining arm.

Rotate the panel door vacuum control motor until it clears the retaining arm and remove the panel door vacuum control motor.

8. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

I realize this is a lot. I wanted to answer all questions, so that is why I included these things. Pay attention first to the temperature gauge tomorrow and see how long it takes to reach operating temperature.

Let me know if you have other questions and what you find.

Take care,
Joe
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Friday, February 8th, 2019 AT 9:13 PM
Tiny
STEFFI87
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
  • 120,000 MILES
When I turn on the heat it makes a loud noise, and shakes the whole car. It is even worse when I turn the fan speed up.
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Have the charging system checked-alternator might not be compensating for the additional load from the blower motor-
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
ANYBODY POKE SOMETHING IN THE FAN AREA. LIKE A SCREWDRIVER. PENCIL. TOOTHBRUSH. WHILE IT WAS-A-RUNNIN'? (I'VE SEEN 1ST HAND, THE LATER, AIN'T NO WAY TO CLEAN THE FINS/ BLADES!)

MAYBE POSSIBLE THE SQUIRREL CAGE OR BLADES ARE BROKEN FROM AGE OR A FOREIGN OBJECT. DEAD CRITTER GOING 'ROUND AND 'ROUND?

THIS WOULD THROW IT OUT OF BALANCE

THE MEDIC
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,544 POSTS
  • 2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
  • 10,000 MILES
I have no heat at all even after running on the freeway. It is not overheating though could this be the thermostat?
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
IS THE RADIATOR SLAP FULL OF JUICE?

HOW 'BOUT YOUR RADIATOR HOSES. AND ESPECIALLY THE HEATER HOSES. ARE THEY HOT AS THEY ENTER THE FIREWALL?

THE MEDIC
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BJCSM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
  • 60,000 MILES
Heater blows hot air then cold air when on warm
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
With the engine at full operating temp and the problem is present, locate the 2 heater hoses where they go into the firewall and feel them to see if they are both hot to the touch. If they are.

The heat in that vehicle is controlled by a blend door that regulates heated air flow. It is operated by an electric motor/actuator. The problem can be that the actuator is stripped or inoperative or the door itself could be damaged. This is what needs to be determined by examining the actuator and see if it is responding to heat change commands or not.
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CURT68
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
  • 175,000 MILES
I have a 2006 mercury Mountaineer with dual climate control the driver side works fine but the passenger side has stopped blowing heat it only blows cold air when the heater is on the ac works but but on the passenger side no matter what temp you set it at it only blows cold air what is the problem
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Pull hvac fuse for 60 seconds with key on then reinsntall it may reset the actuator otherwise check to see fi the actuator on that side is working. See pic
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 11:48 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZUKKY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 198,211 MILES
Why my heater has a "clacking" sound when on and cold air comes out?
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 11:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RICKMAR
  • MECHANIC
  • 170 POSTS
You could very well be another Explorer/Mountaineer owner that unfortunately has a Blend Door Actuator problem.

You will save you a pile of money if you want to do it yourself. The problem has been going on now for 10+ years and is pretty common. See the diagrams attached below for locations and put your hand on them to see which one is making the noise

https://www.2carpros.com/topics/climate-control/blend-door

Good Luck;
Rick

See diagrams below
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 11:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KLEWIS37
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 92,000 MILES
My heater is blowing cold air. It has antifreeze in it
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 11:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
WIth the engine running, hot and the heater on, feel both heater core hoses. If both are hot, check the blend air door. If only one gets hot, flush the heater core. NOTE: The engine must be at operating temp for the heater to work properly.
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 11:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BUFFARILLA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 102,000 MILES
On my 2004 Mercury Mountaineer there is a hose from the heater core to a tee connector. The hose slides into the tee and there is a barb on the inside of the tee to hold it in place. All three tees are the same and no clamps. What is this tee called and where can I get a new one?
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 11:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JIS001
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,408 POSTS
The vacuum tee is also called a mini-Tube. Here is the repair procedure if this is what you are talking about?

Measure the length of the damaged area of the mini-tube vacuum hose.
Cut a piece of standard 1/8 inch inner diameter vacuum hose approximately 25 mm (1 inch longer than the damaged area of the mini-tube vacuum hose).
Cut off the mini-tube vacuum hose on each side of the damaged area.
WARNING: Read the warning information on the product label to prevent possible personal injury.
Dip the mini-tube hose ends in commercially available paint thinner containing methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). This solvent will seal the mini-tube in the vacuum hose.

Insert the ends of the mini-tube vacuum hose approximately 9 mm (3/8 inch) into the ends of the standard 1/8 inch repair vacuum hose.
Shake the repair joint after assembly to make sure the solvent is dispersed and the vacuum line is not plugged.
Test the system for a vacuum leak in the repair area.
Use the Vacuum Pump or equivalent.
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 11:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BUFFARILLA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
This is not a vacuum line and it is much bigger. Od is 1.5 inches with a hole in the midlle of about 5/8 inches and carries coolant to the heater core through the firewall inside the vehicle. When the hose blew off I lost coolant.
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 11:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JIS001
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,408 POSTS
Tell me which number is closes to the "T"
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 11:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
L. GRIFFIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 105,000 MILES
When the heater is turned on, there is no heat blowing.
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 11:51 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RICKMAR
  • MECHANIC
  • 170 POSTS
You possibly have a "Blend Door Actuator" problem.

I hope I am wrong. It is a pretty expensive repair, not the part you need but the labor !

If it is the blend door actuator and you do not want to pay $1000.00+ for the repair ( I don't blame you at all) and you can do a little mechanical labor yourself there "is" a way to avoid all the dis-assembly which is involved by.
(Cutting a hole in your heater core box) to gain access to the blend door.
That is what I sure would do, without a doubt.
If you want to know how to do it just let me know and I will get the information of cutting that hole right to you.
Good Luck;
Rick
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 11:51 AM (Merged)

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