1997 5.4 EB all of a sudden no heat!

brilis · Nov 7, 2022

Morning all. 1997 EB with a 5.4. 100K miles. Perfect condition. Have it around 15 years. Don't use it much. The heat in this truck has always been like a sauna. This AM, decided to take it to work and no heat at all. Just cold air. Wondering where to start. Thanks.

rjrodney · Nov 8, 2022

Do you have Front and back heat systems? If it works in back most likely the blend door actuator (and door maybe too). You should hear things moving in the plenum box when you change from hot to cold air. The door moves even with the system off on mine. You can hear better with the heat fan not running.

I just finished my whole system but I’m a little lucky on account of 60/40 bench seat and one heat system.

Another possible cause is a blocked heater core. Just feel both heater hoses with the system on hot. If the return line is also hot your flow is ok.

brilis · Nov 12, 2022

Brought to my mechanic. He is a friend. Trustworthy and a real good mechanic, but...I just wanted to know everyones thoughts. He says it is the actuator/blend motor that is bad. He says entire dash has to come apart. Looking at $1500. Does this sound about right to replace that motor. Why would they make it so difficult. Thanks.

rjrodney · Nov 12, 2022

Dash comes off for the blend door and core but the control motor and gear unit is underneath. I took the seat out and did mine it wasn’t so bad, a bit harder if you have a console like most do.

You might ask him to do the controller first. It’ll probably get you at least a bit of heat. The blend door is probably cracked up a bit too though. To make it perfect the dash has to come off and that’s $1000 in labor easy. The parts are pretty cheap at least

Mine went out last year. I did the top half first but I should have done the controller first. The blend door was probably busted for a decade but it worked mostly until the control motor finally died. You probably noticed the fresh air on the cold side was a little hot already in the summer the door doesn’t close all the way hot or cold when it’s broken. Now I have good fresh air and super hot too.

rjrodney · Nov 12, 2022

Oops double post. You might also try driving around and fiddle with the control too. sometimes the motor wakes up slowly and you could get it to hot and leave it there for the winter.

rjrodney · Nov 12, 2022

… And to be real clear you can’t replace the controller from the top even with the dash off. Pull out front seats and console. Pop off some plastic and pull back the carpet. Remove restraint module (with the battery disconnected). Then you can pull the blend door controller. Make sure it’s not turning when you move the temp controller and it’s really shot. Also make sure the new one turns or you have some other problem.

brilis · Nov 14, 2022

Spoke to a Ford service center, they are telling me there are 2 blend doors and 2 actuator motors. Is that true? Thanks.

brilis · Nov 14, 2022

One on the passenger side, one on the drivers side. Possible?

brilis · Nov 14, 2022

Also anything else I should replace while they are in there? Thanks.

rjrodney · Nov 14, 2022

I only have one but you have one for the back.

This thread lays is all out. -

Post in thread '2007, first repair, mode door actuator. What now?'
https://www.expeditionforum.com/thr...mode-door-actuator-what-now.52009/post-479093

Edit: Does the heat in back work ok?

1997 5.4 EB all of a sudden no heat!

brilis

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