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Blend and mode control issues?

Tiny
BLUESMAN62
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 FORD FUSION
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 185,000 MILES
Hello, my daughter's car listed above S single zone climate control is behaving badly. In the summer the HVAC comes on and runs properly, but the air entering the cabin is not really that cool. In the winter the coolant lines to the firewall are hot but the cabin air blowing in is barely warm. And in all instances the air blowing in defaults to defrost vents.

I replaced the blend door actuator and can observe both the mode and blend door actuators turning and cycling through their positions when resetting the climate control (pull fuse 15, turn to "on", then replace fuse 15).

I also picked up a climate control module at the junk yard and swapped it with the existing one, no change. I suppose that one could have been bad, so I put the original back in. It's like the actuators work but are not receiving signal when the temperature or mode options are changed on the module.

I don't have a scan tool and am about to tear out what little hair I have left. Any suggestions?
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Tuesday, December 27th, 2022 AT 11:14 AM

15 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,882 POSTS
Okay, just to be sure you were replacing the correct blend door actuator I have included the actuators and what they do in the images below please confirm the actuator you have replaced. Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.
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Tuesday, December 27th, 2022 AT 5:17 PM
Tiny
BLUESMAN62
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Hi Ken. Yes, I replaced object 3 in the diagram, the blend door actuator. Like I said, I can see the blend and mode actuator cams rotate during the recalibration process, but then neither actuator responds to changes in temp or mode from the dashboard control module.
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Thursday, December 29th, 2022 AT 12:52 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,882 POSTS
It sounds like the HVAC control head is bad, but to be sure we should do a CAN scan. You can get a CAN scanner (Controller Area Network) from Amazon from about $32.00.

Here is a video to show you how:

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Here is how to replace the unit in the images below in case you need it. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what you find.

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Saturday, December 31st, 2022 AT 12:00 PM
Tiny
BLUESMAN62
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thanks, Ken. So the Autel AL319 that's linked from your article doesn't say it is a CAN scanner, just a code scanner. But the Motopower MP69033 does say it is a CAN diagnostic tool. Am I correct in my interpretation of the 2 devices capabilities? Just want to be sure to get the appropriate device.
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023 AT 1:27 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,882 POSTS
This is one of the scanners we are recommending currently.

Amazon CAN scanner Link.

https://amzn.to/3G7mpFP

Let me know what happens.
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Wednesday, January 4th, 2023 AT 7:35 PM
Tiny
BLUESMAN62
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Hi Ken. So, I obtained one of the recommended scanners via your Amazon search link, the Motopower MP69033. But I don't see how this device can be used to test or diagnose climate control head. What might I be missing? Thanks.
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Saturday, January 14th, 2023 AT 1:45 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes, just run the CAN scan and it will go over all systems in the car. Have you tried it? Please run the scan to see what it says.
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Sunday, January 15th, 2023 AT 11:25 AM
Tiny
BLUESMAN62
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Hi. It turns out this model does not have a CAN scan option. It only does P-codes plus data streams and freeze frame data. I need a scanner that can read the BCM, which will cost much more than this device did. (I think the Amazon listing for this device is misleading. It uses the term "CAN" but if you read it closely it only means that it is compatible with the OBD2 CAN protocol.) Getting the right tool will cost as much as or more than a replacement climate control head, so barring any other suggestions I'll go that route. If that doesn't fix it, I can return the part, bite the bullet and take it to a dealer. Thanks for trying, Ken. I'll update the post with any new news.
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Tuesday, January 17th, 2023 AT 1:56 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Hmm thanks for the info. I will update my recommendations, we have the $500.00 Autel unit, but I want to save people money. It is a shame companies mislead to make sales. Please let me know what happens.
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Wednesday, January 18th, 2023 AT 10:13 AM
Tiny
BLUESMAN62
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Well, $200.00 Dorman reman from Rock Auto, same result. The mode and blend door actuators cycle through all their positions when reset, then mode settles at vent and blend settles at? But not heat when set to heat. I don't know where else to look. Failed BCM computer?
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Sunday, January 22nd, 2023 AT 5:26 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Can you unplug the ambient air temperature sensor to see if that changes anything? The BCM is not in the system, but the PCM is. Here are the HVAC wiring diagrams so you can check it out and see how the system works. Also, I have included the sensor location as well. If the sensor is shorted to full cold or full hot it might cause the system not to change. You say replaced the control head already, correct?
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Monday, January 23rd, 2023 AT 11:51 AM
Tiny
BLUESMAN62
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Yes, replaced the climate control module with a Dorman reman from Rock Auto. I pulled the ambient air sensor per your suggestion, no change. Mode door defaulting on defrost, blend door defaulting somewhere between hot and cold. As an FYI, on this Fusion S Ford put the ambient air sensor on a support frame at the upper left in front of the radiator. Accessed from above.

Thanks for the diagrams, but testing those circuits is beyond my skills. Any other suggestions?
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Saturday, January 28th, 2023 AT 1:44 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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We have done everything I can think of it must be a connection problem. Please let me know what the repair shop says.
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Sunday, January 29th, 2023 AT 1:59 PM
Tiny
BLUESMAN62
  • MEMBER
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As a follow up, I took it to a Ford dealer to see if they could figure it out. I was explicit in telling them that the climate control model had been replaced, the blend door actuator had been replaced, and that one could actually see and hear both the blend and mode actuators cycling through their positions before sticking on defrost vents and outside air. $250.00 diagnosis fee and 3 days later, their diagnosis is; failed blend and mode actuators, $900.00 P&L. Uh, no. 2010 Fusion, not dropping half the value of the car to replace parts that appear to be working, I'll figure something out.
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Friday, March 24th, 2023 AT 2:34 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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I have seen aftermarket parts cause issues like this btw.
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Sunday, March 26th, 2023 AT 12:31 PM

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