Heater problems

Tiny
SADIES
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 FORD RANGER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 60,000 MILES
The heater in my ford ranger won't shut off. I am wondering if there is a way to turn it off for the summer. Ive been told it probably needs the dash taken apart and the little valves fixed that should be closing? I did pull the fuse on the blower and that helped some.I can't afford an expensive fix right now but is there a way to just turn it off? I see the fuse for the heater also controls the a/c turn signals and something with the clutch? So I'm afraid to pull that. I want to take it camping next week and would like to stop the heat!
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Monday, July 27th, 2015 AT 11:44 AM

32 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Item 16 should have vacuum going to it whenever a/c is on that shuts off water flow its' under hood.
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Wednesday, July 29th, 2015 AT 7:08 AM
Tiny
RAFAELOSH
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 12,800 MILES
The heater only blows cold air, thermostat is new, the control valve, that allow hot water to heater core is ok (both upper and lower) lines from heater core, inside engine comparment are hot to the touch, but no hot air coming from vents
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 3:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JRT
  • MEMBER
  • 27 POSTS
Are both heater core hoses the same temp?
Are they (both or just one) hot or just warm? Can you feel air from all vent positions, dash, defroster and floor?

this guide can help us

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 3:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RAFAELOSH
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes to all the questions
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 3:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JRT
  • MEMBER
  • 27 POSTS
Is your fresh air door open?
If it is open, not on recirulate and both heater hoses at the heater core are hot, then I would recheck and make sure the control valve is opening al the way allowing the hot water through the heater core.
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 3:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMES ROGERS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD RANGER
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
98 Ranger-heater problem-heater will get hot when first started then cool down when driving-have had system flushed twice-replaced blend door-replaced thermostat, coolant control valve, water pump, clutch fan. When you take the hose loose to the core for any reason then replace it, the heater will get so hot it burns your hand-then after driving apxy 6 miles it starts to cool down. Is it possible the core has something in it that is blocking the coolant flow after it gets hot? I'm about to run out of options. Tks
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Did you put in a 195 degree tstat? And yes a clogged core can do this in early stages. Have a radiator shop blow the core out. When the heat gets cold is one heater hose(outlet) cold? If so, the core is plugged, if both are cold, the tsat, or low coolant level is your problem.
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Actuator can be removed without removal of instrument panel. Remove console and the lower
steering column cover. Then remove in sequence shown in picture. Upper bolt can be
accessed through a hole just below, and to the right of column
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SOLD ON FORD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD RANGER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 149,000 MILES
Tonight the heater just blew out cold air. Even when we had driven some distance and it usually gets warm, the air coming from the heater was cool. I put some more antifreeze to see if this would help but the level was okay. Could it be a thermostat or something like that.
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
Hi there,

If your engine temp is still running normal on the gauge the thermostat should be ok. Check the heater hoses, are they both hot to touch, if not the heater tap or the control for the tap may of failed check this first.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
93OLDS
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 150,000 MILES
Ok well my heater works fine at idle, you can sellect panel or floor or defrost and it will switch to anyone but when you have it on anything other then defrost when you are accelerating the heater switches back to the defualt defrost but if you catch the desired speed your going for and let up on the gas to keep the speed say 60 it will then about 10 sec after you continue doing 60 it will switch back to what ever the switch is on. I know the heater runs off the vac from engine and have disconnect the main hoses from firewall that com from engine and go to heater and tested them for leaks and they hold pressure and with truck running and heater on when I pressure the hoses the heater will work fine on any sellection by simply sucking on the hose and holding the pressure and they will not leak off. From their I hooked them back up and opened the hood and traced the hoses further, theirs a hose from the engine which goes somewhere under the front passenger fender in between the metal outer fender and between the actual fender well cover or wheel splash cover after looking I noticed a black bullet shaped cannister about 5 to 8 inches long that I think that hose from the engine is going too. Then their is a hose coming out from that same location that splits off into 2 diff hoses wich one goes into fire wall to heater and other goes to 4x4 vac silinoid. From that splitter I unhooked the hose going into fire wall to heater and checked for leaks again and it still holds pressure. I am stumped the 4x4 works great and vac hubs lock in no problem and they are running off the same splitter that of the heater. I also would like any info about what the bullet shaped cannister is that is in wheel well between fender and its purpose please any suggestions or info would help thanks.
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
60'S CHILD
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Sounds like you have a vaccum leak in the heater door diapham. Does it open and close(go from floor to defrost) when you step on the throttle.A vaccum drop, as open throttle will lower the over all pressure and make small leaks more apparent.
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LONDOG13
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 56,000 MILES
When I turn the hot/cold air knob to blend the heat so that it is not so hot it just stays hot. My air conditioner works fine but only puts out luke warm air due to not being able to stop the hot air flow. What can be the cause of this?
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Chances are your blend door is sticking due to insufficent vaccum due to a bad vaccum hose or a bad electrical motor that controls the blend door ( it is a dealer only part).

Could even be the switch.
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RICKANDLINDA78
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD RANGER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 170,000 MILES
My pickup runs great. MY temperature will not come up and my heater/defroster does not work real well due to a low temperature. I changed thermostat twice and still this does not change my temperature or my heater/defroster
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Check to ensure your coolant level is up to normal. Also, if the head gasket is weak, it may allow engine coolant to seap into a cylinder and be thrown out through the exhaust. The engine may operate normally but there would more than likely be little or no heat, except there would be a tail-tail sign of a LOT of smoke coming from your exhaust. Check to see if both hoses connected to the radiator are getting hot. If only one is getting hot then you may have a clogged heater core.
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDZUPAN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 120,000 MILES
When I turn my switch from heat to cold on the I get 100% heat. I have replaced the switch and also the blend air motor. On the passenger sid there is a damer with vacuum line on it if I take the vacum line off I will get cold air. The air comes out the dash hot wether the swich is in hot or cold. Is the air supose to bleed of on that damper.
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 12:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,383 POSTS
OPERATION
CONTROL PANEL & DOOR ACTUATORS
Manual A/C-heater control panel is located near center of the instrument panel. A/C-heater controls include a function selector knob, temperature control knob and blower speed control knob. See Fig. 1. Function selector knob actuates a vacuum selector valve that controls vacuum to door actuators. Door actuators control position of outside/recirculation, floor/panel and panel/defrost doors. Door positions determine airflow modes (panel, floor, defrost, etc.).
Temperature control knob controls an electric blend door actuator. Blend door actuator controls the position of blend door. Blend door position determines airflow around and/or through heater core. Each function selector knob setting affects system operation is as follows:
OFF
Vacuum is applied to inlet duct door, preventing outside air from entering system. Heater water control valve is at full vacuum, preventing hot coolant from reaching heater core. Vacuum is applied to floor/panel and panel/defrost door actuators. Blower motor and compressor will not operate in this mode.
MAX A/C
A/C compressor operates in this mode. Vacuum is applied to air inlet door, preventing outside air from entering system. Heater water control valve is at full vacuum, preventing hot coolant from reaching heater core. Vacuum is applied to floor/panel and panel/defrost door actuators. Airflow exits from panel vents. Blower motor is on.
A/C
A/C compressor operates in this mode. Vacuum is not applied to air inlet door, allowing outside air into system. Heater water control valve is at no vacuum, allowing hot coolant to reach heater core. Vacuum is applied to floor/panel and panel/defrost door actuators. Airflow exits from panel vents. Temperature setting can be changed manually. Blower motor is on.
Vent
Vacuum is not applied to air inlet door, allowing outside air into system. Vacuum is not applied to floor/panel door actuator. Vacuum is applied to panel/defrost door actuator. Airflow exits from panel vents. Temperature can be adjusted manually.
Floor/Panel
Vacuum is not applied to air inlet door, allowing outside air into system. Heater water control valve is at no vacuum, allowing hot coolant to reach heater core. Partial vacuum is applied to floor/panel door actuator allowing door to open partially. Vacuum is applied to panel/defrost door actuator. Airflow exits from panel vents. The A/C compressor operates in this mode.
Floor
Vacuum is not applied to air inlet door, allowing outside air into system. Heater water control valve is at no vacuum, allowing hot coolant to reach heater core. Vacuum is applied to floor/panel door actuator. Vacuum is not applied to panel/defrost door actuator. Airflow exits from floor ducts.
Floor/Defrost
Vacuum is not applied to air inlet door, allowing outside air into system. Heater water control valve is at no vacuum, allowing hot coolant to reach heater core. Partial vacuum is applied to floor/panel door actuator. Vacuum is not applied to panel/defrost door actuator. A/C compressor operates to dehumidify air and reduce windshield fogging. Airflow exits from panel vents and floor ducts.
Defrost
Vacuum is not applied to air inlet door, allowing outside air into system. Heater water control valve is at no vacuum, allowing hot coolant to reach heater core. No vacuum is applied to floor/panel door actuator or to panel/defrost door actuator. A/C compressor operates to dehumidify air and reduce windshield fogging. Airflow exits from defrost outlets.
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 12:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDZUPAN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
In your response it said to see fig 1. But it was not there. Do you have a diagram of the heater a/c and damper operation? Also the vacum chart for the selector switch?
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 12:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,383 POSTS
Sorry i don't have a diagram of damper operation

fig 1


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/266999_fig1_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/266999_fig2_2.jpg



let me know if you need anything else !
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 12:49 PM (Merged)

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