No vent air or faint air flow?

JMHEMIRAM

MEMBER
2019 FORD EXPEDITION
3.6L
V6
TURBO
4WD
AUTOMATIC
90,000 MILES

Randomly I get little air flow out of any vents in the front. The blower motor is running, and the air flow is loud but no too little air flow. Clearly a damper is closed. Unsure where the location of the actuator that would be responsible for restricting air flow to all vents (face, feet and defrost) is located.

Tuesday, June 11th, 2024 AT 8:40 PM

4 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,137 POSTS

Sure, the air flow is controlled by the "air distribution blend door actuator" which sounds like it is not working, do you hear clicking noises from under the dash? If so, this is confirmation the actuator is bad, here is the location of the part in question so you can check it out. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response to any problems so we can see what to help you with.

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Wednesday, June 12th, 2024 AT 1:07 PM

JMHEMIRAM

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thank you for your reply. I located the actuator. I cycled it through all the modes, and it is working fine. No clicking or abnormal noises. Imagine your vehicle with the blower on high; close all your vents. That increase sound of air that is creating a high-water column in the duct is the same thing I hear when this issue arises. Of course, I just spent 30 min messing with it and never had an issue. The actuator is moving as it should.

Typically, after driving and you no longer want the blower on full speed and the temperature set to Low or 59°, you adjust to say half blower speed and 70°, about 5-10 min later is when you notice no air flow and can hear the restriction in the duct. My guess is that it is this actuator which is mark as #14.

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Wednesday, June 12th, 2024 AT 4:22 PM

JMHEMIRAM

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Here is a video of the actuator working.

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Wednesday, June 12th, 2024 AT 4:29 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,137 POSTS

Thanks for the video, I am sorry, I didn't realize this car has an cabin air filter, lets remove it to see if the problem goes away. Here is the location and instructions on how to do the job. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

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