'97 F-150 A/C

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1997 FORD F-150

My son's A/C in his '97 (F-150 XLT S/Cab 3 door, Auto/OD, 4.6, 2WD, 215,415 miles) doesn't blow hard out of the ducts/vents. The air is cold but it seems that w/the fan speed on high it blows as if it were on low to medium low (the first notch/click after the selector switch is set to low). The air damper door is operating, I can see it moving when the selector is switched from MAX to regular A/C. I pulled the fan & there is nothing wrong w/the blower/squirrel cage.

Any ideas as to why the volume is not there?

P.S. The A/C is NOT blowing out of the defroster when it is on in any regular A/C position & it sounds very loud under the dash like it wants to blow but very little comes out.

P.S.S. I'm also trying to find an exploded view of the system on line but I can't. Can someone post one please.

Thanks.

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Started truck.
Switch on high.
Very low volume of air just as I stated before. On high, it seems as it were on low setting.

I can hear the fan behind the dash trying to pump a high volume of air but nothing. On high the fan sounds very loud as if trying to move air & when you move the selector switch the fan corresponds w/the switch setting.

I don't hear the fan squealing or anything. The wife say's the volume of air kept getting lower as time went on.

I did take the fan out a while back (this has been going on for a while so we haven't used the air) & I didn't see ant problems & the fan cage was not caked up w/anything & if memory serves the cage was tight on the shaft but I can't be 100% sure.

Hope this makes since.

Thanks,

P.S. It's hot in Florida. :(

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Sunday, July 22nd, 2007 AT 3:54 PM

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Thank you very much, I'll try to get to it this week.

I take it the blower would still sound like a 747 taking off & still be bad, correct? (I.E.) Sound like it's forcing air but actually it's not.

I'll use the mirror trick & will advise.

Again, thank you for your time,
Jim

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Sunday, July 22nd, 2007 AT 6:48 PM

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OK the A/C evaporator core fins are packed, looks like a carpet across the fins (dust bunnies). My son has a tooth brush out now cleaning the fins & he can reach his hand in there w/a shop vac. I tried to blow air through the center vent w/all the other vents closed & he cannot feel any air coming through, I did put the vent to the on position while the key is in the forward on position. I'm thinking (which is dangerous) the A/C may need to be to the on position (w/the key on) so the air flow will come across the fins & not directed to the outside. So while I'm waiting for the next move I'll just keep him cleaning.

Thank you,

P.S. The fan motor is fine.

P.S.S. Not having good luck w/the tooth brush idea.

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Monday, July 23rd, 2007 AT 12:30 PM

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:) I just fell out of my chair. Let your son clean it up. :) :)

OK thanks, I didn't really want to blow from that angle thinking it might clog even worse but you are the boss.

So I'll start it up & turn the A/C on & to cold to open up the doors & blow. :)

To bad there isn't or Ford didn't put a filter in front of the interior door.

Thanks, I'll let you know how it turns out.

Jim

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Monday, July 23rd, 2007 AT 1:52 PM

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OK we tried to suck the fins clean w/a reduced shop vac hose, then blow it @ 120psi reduced nozzle, then a wire brush to clear up the surface & nothing, still packed. I grabbed a piece of the packing & kept pulling hair/dust out etc.

I think the next best thing is to remove the top of the box, :(. I was thinking of cutting the top of the box down toward the front by the front two right screws to get to it w/out taking the dash out. Then blow & use pipe cleaners (like in a pipe you smoke) & see what happens, unless you have a better idea.

Thanks for all the help, I just think removing the dash, well :(.