02 Ford Explorer Heat Blend Door Actuator Simple Fix - No Tools Needed
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- Опубліковано 16 жов 2024
- This is a 02 Ford Explorer that has a broken and worn heat blend door actuator. The labor at a dealership with parts is approx $700-800 if you take it to the pros, The cost of the part is approx $65.00 if you want to do it yourself, or you can give this a try and save even more.
The part I will be referring to later in the video is a plastic flap, which is approximately 3" long and is located almost directly behind the wires you see in the video along the edge of the wall compartment. It needs to be pushed down, and you will hear it as it reaches the correct position.
Once you locate this, it will only take a few seconds to change in the future.
The blend door will easily work with the air condition control knobs, but once you switch it to cold air, you will need to switch this back manually as in the video.
Hope this tip helps.
About 3 months ago i had the same problem wich i fixed after watching this vid Two days ago a friend of a friend was complaining about the same problem 5 minuts later he was having heat again and he didnt belive how easy was to do since he had it at repair shop and they gave him an estimate of $872 and a couple of days to fix.
"Use your brain before you open your purse" old saying that some people confuses with cheapness.
Again thank you very much.
This is the 3rd time my blend door motor has gone bad .. The first time a friend of mine did it for 200 in labor the second time I took the dash apart to get to it .. The third time was a charm like they say thanks to this video I just flipped it over and saved a bunch of cash .. Your video is greatly appreciated !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you have the Eddie Bauer edition, search for this video: "How to fix the heater in a 2006 ford explorer". Robert, this is a great starting point, but I couldn't find the flap due to my different model. I struggled for a while in the glove box area but found a video that told me to remove the panel to the left/below the glove box... so just wanted to let other viewers know in case they have the Eddie Bauer edition.
Thank you SOOOOO much for this video! I was about to spend 375.00 at a local auto shop to have this problem fixed, but something in my spirit told me to search UA-cam for solutions first. Your video REALLY WORKS! I just went out to my truck and fixed the problem in less than 5 minutes! I really appreciate this upload :)
Thank you.....
This video helped me so much. I endured to cold winter last year but I have a new baby and was stressed about transporting her this winter. Thanks to your video I don't have that problem anymore...yay! Thank you so much!
I drilled a hole just above the right side of the console. I then opened the glove box, looped a zip tie around the actuator arm, fished the tie thru the hole I drilled, AND IT WORKS LIKE A CHARM!! No disassembly required! Very nice ingenuity 👍
Great follow through.
This worked beautifully...could not find the flap, but looked inside & saw it moving and pushed it. Winter will be oh so much warmer!
Robert you are da bomb, I did exactly what you said and I now have heat. Thanks for posting this on you tube. I am saying a special prayer for you tonight that God will bless you abundantly. Thanks for paying it forward.
I was having this problem in my 2003 Explorer XLT and feared I would have to take the car in because winter is coming and I need heat in the car .. I did what you said and in searching around a little bit with my hands I was able to feel the lever to flip to open the heat ducts .. thank you . you have save me from spending money I really didn't have
Thank you for your kind words.......I am happy that I have been able to provide that much needed heat for this cold season.
Wow I've been without heat for 8 days...having blankets in my truck and now a simple as that was ...sir that was a blessing thank you so much sir!!!
Thank you for following up , glad this worked for you especially at this time.
I hope that this will help save lots of people money. Some things are worth fixing, but in this case, every so often, its worth the small amount of time to do this and save the cash.
thank you so much! i have been without heat in my 04 explorer for 2 years now and its been horrible but thanks to your video i now have heat! Only took about 30 minutes to fix! i live in florida so i dont need it often but right now its pretty chilly and my late night hot box sessions are miserable because of the cold. Now i can smoke at night in my car in peace and warmth lol thank you!
I wish I could shake your hand and give you an enormous hug. I have been stressing about not having heat in my 05 truck for a month now. I'm a girl and I usually don't attempt to fix things on cars but this video makes it look so easy I just had to try it for myself. Man am I glad I did just in time for winter too. Than you so much for uploading!! Have a blessed day and happy holidays!!
Thank u so much.. I am a 49 year old woman who fixed my heat in less than a min. you saved me so much money.. we had a snow storm a couple of days ago and i had to borrow my sons car.. thank you i'm so happy i could do a cartwheel but probably would break every bone in my body.. lol thanks again
I reached my hand in without being able to see, felt the bumping, touched the lever, flipped it down , and bam!, HEAT! Very easy to do, the lever has no power, so it doesn't pinch you or hurt, in fact it has the power of a new born, so if your a girl, don't worry it doesn't hurt. In fact small hands will work better. Go over the big group of wires, not thru them. Over then down, youll feel it, have the heater going while you do it, makes it easier to find. Good luck all.
james leatherman Thank you!!!!! Your comment helped me more than the video.
Awesome!
Freaking brilliant! You’re my new hero!
where exactly is this lever at? i’m not finding anything
@@masonboyle3943 You reach in blind behind the wire group and feel with your fingers. You’ll feel it. There’s nothing back there that’ll pinch so you just have to just jam your hand behind it and down. You’ll know it as soon as you touch it. Turn the heat on before you start
Worked like a charm. Took about 5 minutes. Just trying to figure out what to push and which way took 4 of those minutes! Push your hand in from the top and throw that "switch" down to the left. Press down hard. Like you said, best to put the heat on and hear the clicking to find the spot. Saved $800 I didn't want to put into a 10 year old vehicle!
Happy Sunday explorers drivers. I finnally got mind into this and done. Took me 10 minutes and got heat. Thanks so much for the posting .I saved money and now will use it for fixing tire valve. Worse was to try to explain to the wife what I was gonna do she got inquisite and took me longer to convince her than to fix.
Heat stopped working and I had the clicking when I turned to heat. This worked like a charm! Heat is back! Thank You!
Fantastic! Took a few tries to figure out what I was feeling for...but I have heat again!
I spent that last few years just fiddling with the blower and it would "pop" on its own but that stopped working this year so you were a lifesaver!
Thank you very much. You saved my woman like $800 and I will probably get lucky tonight. In all honesty the video was very helpful and very much appreciated.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. It is freezing here in Atlanta today and I have to drive an hour and a half one way to pick up my son from school today. Thanks to your video and the comments below, I won't be freezing. P.S. I am also a woman and was able to do it myself. Woo weeee!
You are my hero!! As a single mom, extra money isn't available. You helped me fix my heat, forever grateful!
It works. I did it in an 08 Explorer but i had to come from the side panel of the passenger side i felt the thumping from the clicking i pulled back on it & boom all the heat shot out. Thanks saved me some $$
I would like to thank you for the helpful video. Save me lots of money because I only use my 2004 explorer heater for the cold months here in the deep south. It took me a few minutes to find the flap. I push down but it didn't work at all. Then I pushed it back up, and it was still cold air. I push down again but air was cold for 30 minutes. So i turn the car off then back on and thats when the heat kicked on. Thank you so much for this helpful video.
Hi. I am very glad I was able to find this post even though it is almost 6 years old. I just did what you said a little while ago & now have heat again. It only took a few minutes & didn't cost me a dime. Thanks a lot for sharing!
John Picarello Information and knowledge never gets old. It just finds new people.
Hi. The bad news is it only worked for a couple of days. On day 3 the solenoid kicked in & pushed the door back up. I thought, no big deal I'll just push the door back down but the solenoid keeps engaging & pushes the door the other way. Since I don't know how to stop the actuator from engaging I guess I will have to buy the part & fix it the proper way.
It worked! Thank you so much! My lever was toward the bottom below the wires, but I could feel it move, and I just flipped it backwards.
Glad this has helped bring warmth to the family.....I will be posting the repair in a few months before it gets too cold.
I can't find the lever a diagram would be nice so I could find it
Glad this video helped.... the next video I will be doing will be replacing the thermostat housing in the '02 Explorer. This is a common issue...where the temperature gauge goes haywire and needs to have the lower housing replaced. Ford Repair shop= $450.00 repair. My guess the parts are going to be around $85.00 plus an hours work.
Thanks for posting this. Had the problem on my '03 explorer and was able to fix it in just a minute or two. I didn't find the flap the first time, but now that i know what i'm looking for this fix couldn't be easier. Thanks again!!!
Thank you! I found the plastic flap pushed on the shaft ,kept the door switched for heat. Now it is getting warmer, just turn knob for cold air!
THANKS!!! You saved my Christmas!!!! I was able to restore heat in my car after hearing the clicking noise. It went from stuck on hot to stuck on cold!!!! Reached in and flipped the valve. Will fix for good this spring! Thanks again!
Actually, after you took the glove box down, we don't know what you did. No kiddin.
Exactly stupid video
Ya, I have no ideal what he's talking about after taking the box out. Lol
Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! I just watched your video and completed the "costly" task myself! Went out on my lunch break and followed your guides, and fixed it! I had a little more difficulty, not sure if it's bc mine is a 2004, but there was a black manifold blocking most of it, and mine was towards the bottom more. Barely reached it with one middle finger, and had almost given up. It was 11 degrees this morning in Atlanta, needless to say, I couldn't take it any more. I had called a shop, and he quoted me about $250 , depending on how deep it was in my dashboard. lol. Well, my sir, Daddy would be proud. Thanks again!
Once again, we have ladies fixing this problem themselves.
Glad to see that you now have heat again.......
Glad this video helped.
250.00, Ha. My guy said 600. I'm gonna try this right now
@@broomballusba12 Once I do this will the heat stay on or do I have to do this every time I want heat
THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY COLD COLD FEET! Awesome video...save me 700$+...work 3rd shift and have been borrowing my son's car when I can...found the flap instantly and yay!!!! Sometimes it flips back to cold when i turn off the car, but cleaned out the glove box for a 30 second fix! Thanks again!!! Can't wait to see the look on my kids faces when i pick them up from school today!!! Happy Holidays! :)))))
OMG i want to thank you so much for this video!!! I have looked at several different videos and couldn't figure out what the heck I was doing.. Went without heat since it got cold out and after your video--I fixed the problem and it didnt cost me a dime!! Heat is great--Thank you!!
i appreciate the tip. i had almost everything taken apart, but then i found this video. so i took back the part and got my money back!
I'm glad this was able to help.....I know, that there is a lot of bad info out there sometimes on this site, so I am glad that it was presented in such a way that you tried this tip and worked.
Thanks for the vid, man. On my 2nd '10 explorer, and both had their crappy actuator go to shit. Your post helped me out greatly on the current one. It's currently late winter here in Wisconsin...cold mornings, mild afternoons. Will fix correctly when weather permits. Thanks again. 👍😎
Tried it - worked great - took about 15 minutes. Thanks!
Thanks so much for this video. I was getting the clicking in the dash and it stopped producing heat. Went in behind the glove box as shown here and fixed it in 30 seconds on my 2005 Explorer XLT.
Glad this worked. Thanks for the feedback.
Back in 2008, the only fix I found on the Internet was on a forum. I dropped the glove box of my 95 Explorer, cut a flap at the back, reached my hand in and closed the door. It was August in Phoenix and I was desperate as the blend door broke ONE week after I replaced the condenser.
I did it the easy way on my '02 explorer,I cut out the dash that covers the actuator (triangle area left of the fan switch),made the cuts with my Rockwall vibrating saw and was careful to not cut too deep and cut the bundle of wires that run thru there,made the job very fast and easy,I also did the same thing to the fresh air door ,I cut out the front cover,took out the outer two screws and cut it with a utility knife to where you can't even see the cuts,then I had to replace the vacuum hoses,so I guess I'm good for another 20 years.
I replaced the actuator finally, I can see the sport and it moves so freely. I can't believe they made that actuator so cheap. Everything works as it should, now I'm replacing the actuator in the 3rd row.
Thanks! Took me about 10 minutes to find it but once I did it worked like a charm! Saved me $800!
this was one hell of a video. it saved me alot of money. man you are a godsend. i knew it had to be a better way to fix that blend door problem.
this is bad ass!!!
i actually paid the dealer 789.00 before... and plan on doing the next 1 myself b/c i need it again but because my winter is only 3 weeks in FL i may just do this.....save myself the labor heartache
Thanks......sometimes it is just not worth the hassle.
Thanks for the posting worked great for me too, in my 2002 Explorer
If you put one hand inside and move the control temp knob with the other is very easy to find it.Go from cold to hot feel the door trying to move just help it move and the clicking sound goes off and you got heat.
That was a great quick fix Maybe this summer I will get to replace the module but for now works perfect Still not thinking about paying 800 to 1000 clams.
I was able to purchase the temp blend door actuator $35.00 and it took two hours ten minutes from start to finish. Your method works but I live in the North East U.S. and I don't feel like taking my glove box out every time I need to change temp. Thanks!
+Ken Martin My '04 Explorer started doing the same thing. Could you help me out by maybe giving me some tips? I would greatly appreciate it. BTW, I live in the Northeast also, and I DO NOT want to have my 16 year old have to put his hand in there. Just doesn't seem safe.
MomOfMMR3....I see Autozone has this part now for $28 to $39 ... The videos on youtube/internet show a step by step on how to replace....Check it out
Robert
Thank you for taking the time to make the heater repair video with your instruction I was able to make repair and saved the money I wish you could see my son and daughter comfortable warm faces from riding in a warm car and yet to come a more enjoyable Christmas with the money you have helped me saved.
Thank you and Mary Christmas
Glad this worked not just for you, but also for your friend.
Thank you so much for your kind words......I love my explorer so much, but mine is almost 11 years old now, and is beginning to need a few things done to keep it properly maintained. If you have any other stressful issues regarding your own explorer, just ask, and I will see what I can do to help.
Dude yessss I have heat again lol. I couldn't see it in ur video but I stuck my head in the hole and saw the arm trying to move.
Fandamntastic video Sir! Got through the entire replacement on the actuator to realize the shaft was wrong. :(. So I came across your video and the fix was exactly like he says. No magic to it. Even easier without the camera as he says. Listen for the click to find the lever. And just like that you got your heat.
From the video it was a little hard see where the actuator was located but I put my hand back near the sound and found the valve and as soon as I moved it and turned the car on there as heat.. I really hope it's working in the morning cause it's cold in Tennessee this time of year.thanks sooooooooooooo much.
The wife's still clicks just a little when the heat is all the way in the "red", but if you back it off just off the red mark, it stops. Great tip, man! Thanks a million!
I have a 99 Ford Ranger that only puts out lukewarm heat even after running on the highway for a half hour. I will give this a try, thanks.
Your right, not hard to change actuator, took me 2 hours to do. Followed this web sites direction (I have a 2005) so there were some very minor variations, but I was able to do it.
Just bought 2004 explorer with this problem. Person that sold it showed me this exact trick, but i still cant figure it out. Looked for 30mins last night, 🤣. So, going to see it i can get it now after watching this video.
That worked!! Saved me time and money of taking apart whole dash board. Thanks!.
Don’t even know what this man’s talking about I just clicked the video for giggles 😂
Thanks for the video ! I just saved a bunch of money by watching this video ! 2003 Explorer has heat !!
You are a genius! Can't thank you enough. Was freezing my ass off and within minutes you made my day/week/month. Happy New Year to you!
Thank you. Glad this also worked for you.
Happy new year.
First of all, Robert is a great name. Lol
Thanks for the video. This is why I love Google and UA-cam. Your quick fix worked great.
2003 Explorer - Chicago
Thanks!
Thanks for the good tip. This would especially work well if you are on a road trip and the actuator fails and you need to continue the trip with both ac and heat. Also many times its not the job of tearing into the rig as much as it is having the total block of time available to do it. Thanks.
Dude, you are a great story teller, and should be a comedian! Anyway, my heat on my 03 explorer went out again this morning. It went out year and a half ago and I had already purchased the $65 part and performed the fix once, and I'm not about to drop another $65 bucks.. I'm cheap too man... but I have no wife to call me the other names. Good talk.
Thank you saved me big time starting to get cold here in Maine and mine was stuck on cold.
Thanks very much, I'm equally as cheap. it cost me about $2.00, I had to buy some longer wire ties. You da man!
Yes, the blend door actuator part is on the drivers side, near the gas pedal on the side front console. The valve / flap is on the opposite side where you can gain access through the glove box.
I needed hot air so I followed this video. But how do I get cold air now that it's hot outside again? Do I just take it out or is there a cold blend actuator motor on the right side?
for those that would like it a little simpler each time they need heat (i’ve noticed with mine it flips back when the car is turned off) if you have the time to get under the dash if you go under the radio you can actually put a zip tie around that lever and have it stick out of that crack on the right side (i’m back to youtube because the zip tie i used was too cheap and snapped in half after 2 years)
Yep I did and it works
My blend door quit a couple years ago and I found that lever. However, I put a wire tie on it (kind of difficult but worth it, lay upside down and get your head under there enough to see it just long enough to get the wire tie on) and ran the tail out between the crack in the plastic. Now I just have to pull on the end of the wire tie when I want to switch it to heat. Seems to flop back to cool easily when I put the control on cold. Almost invisible and easy to use.
Yes, that is correct......you can change it from heat to A/C with the knob in most cases, however you will need to do this process again if you need the heat again.
nothing makes me feel all "warm and fuzzy" like being warm and saving money....you did both. many thanks from 1 cheapskate to another
Identical issue with my Sport Track. You saved me a lot grief buddy 👍 I certainly owe you a beer, or two or three (don't let the wife know! Ah why not 👍) Cheers to ya!
Saved my marriage!! Thank you! it is -7 here today in Colorado, and I have been lazy about doing the real fix. It found this sweet, 4 second fix vidoe. Question, how long about will this fix stay warm?
In some cases (in my case) if you turn the car off it may revert back to cold air.
Consider this, the actuator is unable to flip the valve or cover, so we are just manually moving it. I have had many people say that this stays in this position until you actually move the temperature knob to cold.
Either way it beats paying out money......Glad the video helped.
Mine also would flip back to cold when i turned off my truck, i used some duck tape to keep it closed and its PERFECT! Mine also started to make a louder flapping noise, but instead of putting the heat dial all the way up, i backed off the temperature a little and it stopped the noise.
I tried this last night and it worked perfectly. I took the car for a spend around the block, on the way back I notice something was leaking. Any idea what it could have been????
I am unsure.....possibly condensation?
Glad this worked for you..... for some out there it still cold....more vids will be coming soon.
cool video and one thing about old ford cars is that you can get a good few videos on how to fix them(that is good if you don't pay much)
This trick worked for me. I have hot heat, but now there is a louder banging sound near the driver side. Maybe the blend door? Seems like its in the black ducts on the drivers floor. I get heat and the a/c is great. Actuator and blend door may need replacing?
Thank you so much worked great wont have ac but will flip it back open come may or so saved a fortune thanks again
Thanks. Your fix worked perfectly. I just couldn't get my big hand in there, so I had to use a wooden ruler to flip the lever.
+N1095A I am glad this video helped. Simple fix for no money.
Can you gve me more direction where the lever is I need to flip. I can get my hand up there I just can't see what it is Im suppose to flip?
You kind of have to feel for it. If your actuator is clicking, you can put a flashlight in and see it pulsating against the lever. Kind of hard to describe. The only down side is you have to flip the lever every time you start the car if you want heat. I jammed a roll of electrical tape in there to keep it from closing again. Hopefully some can describe the location better than I can.
Thx, Robert -- I'm 100% straight, but I want to have your baby. :-)
Just fixed my wife's '02 Exp -- your vid led me to the sol'n, though I never did find the flap you described.
--Popped out the glove box and turned the heat on high fan just like you said.
--When I couldn't find the flap, I looked around a little more and was able to see the actuator (what makes the clicking sound) trying to push a little metal button. Pressed the button w/ a wooden (non-conductive) chopstick and voila!
Thanks man! you just helped me help my grandparents save some money!
thank u so much. the only other question i have is can u switch the temperature gauge afterwards or switch the position of the heat off the a/c position
Hello, does this also remove the clicking sound? My pops and I just removed the Blend door actuator but I'm just curious lol
THANK YOU !!!! I THANKS THE GOOD LORD FOR YOU!!!!! I REALLY NEEDED THIS FOR MY 2004 FORD EXPLOERE
sir, thanks for the video , i tried today and can't find it. any suggestions ?
do i take the whole panel out. How does it loook?
Thanks just turned my heat back on!!!
Jessy Sea your welcome. Glad this worked for you.
is it located in the same spot on an 02 explorer xlt
What valve you touch to get hot air
No valve just a latch along the inner wall that flips the actuator door flap.
I'm having this problem on my ford explorer. What exactly did u do? What flap did u move?
I think I am having the same problem with my 2005 Lincoln Aviator. What does the value feel like? I can't tell which way you are reaching into the dash, should it be up/down/left/right? I live in AZ so all I need is AC for the next 5 months, heat is not needed. I believe I just need to open the blend door, correct?
Youre not able to see past the glove box, but this worked perfectly.
I guess in springtime I'll change the actuator myself but until then......THANkS DUDE
That clicking noise is the blend door actuator. It is on the left hand drivers side located at the right foot along the plastic covered area on the front.
Extremely helpful! You, sir, are a true American. May karma reward you accordingly.
Thanks for the video! I managed to get a finger right on the piece inside that's making the noise - it felt like a little heartbeat. Wasn't sure if it was an actual flap, I guess it was? I was trying to get my heat back, but it seemed like it was already all the way up, so I tried doing down, and it fell all the way out of my reach, but now my A/C is working again. Did I do it right? How would I be able to reach it again to get my heat going?
I am sitting here LMAO, I was looking at a repair bill of $617.....followed your directions and low and behold....HEAT. Thanks for the video instructions. It did not cost me a penny. It took time to locate the flap to flip down, but other than that "piece of cake"
Anthony Reid perfect! Thank you
Anthony Reid what if you break the "valve" off? Can it be repaired or am I freezing this winter?
Alexandra Olguin You won't break it. Give it a try or freeze this winter lol.
In my situation, I only have to do this once. When I shut off the car, I do not have to do this again. Now, If I turn the a/c on, or try to change the temperature knob then I will have to do this.
It only takes a few seconds once you know what you are looking for.
Good Luck.
I have an 02 ford explorer, I was not able to find a flap, but a metal bar. Am I doing something wrong?