Hot air from rear bottom blowers! Not switch!

Hey guys! I'm sure some of you are tired of seeing posts about this same problem! I have a 1998 Ford Windstar. I have searched and searched and can't find a posting about this where the answer is NOT the switch! I have bought and replaced the "rear blower switch" that goes on the far right of the switch panel in the front. It doesn't change a thing. The front air is freezing but the back/bottom is painfully hot! Also, the panel vents in the back don't come on at all. I've seen these same symptoms before in other posts but I didn't have success with replacing the rear blower switch and it fixing it, like they did. Does anyone know what I should check next when it's not that part? If so, could you please tell me how to find the part to check also? My husband's working a lot of overtime right now and I'm trying to fix it myself! Thanks for your time, Cassie

You may need to replace the vacuum switch in the rear underneath the rear controls. If you remove the vacuum switch and suck on the end (so to speak) you should be able to see if it will hold sucktion or not. Tht other option is to push the other end of the valve and then put you finger over the vacuum port and see if it holds vacuum then.

I am wondering where you bought the switch and what the part number etc was. I am currently dealing with the same problem but just need to replace the switch in the front. Or maybe you just want to send me you now extra switch?

I do not have rear air on my '96....so I am not experienced there. But you have been advised about some vaccum controls.....and if there are any vaccum controls involved with the rear air.....I would trace out the vaccum lines.....and make sure that you have not developed a leak or a pinched line. I know that many have had issues with the vaccum controls for the front AC/Heat, controls....and have found disconnected lines at various places....including under the hood. A vaccum actuator could also have gone bad....but I would verify that you get vaccum to the actuator before buying an actuator.....only to find that you just needed to reconnect a vaccum line. Yes....it is a pain to track down....as a leak could develop at any point in a vaccum line.

kcautodoc, we'll see about that. I don't have the part # around me right now but I do know it cost me $24.88 + tax. Hold on....let me get it....F68H-19A642-AA. Advance Auto could have ordered me one for $14.00 but I didn't want to wait. I got it at the Ford Stealer. Ok, so take the back panel thing off and look for some hose and try to find suction. I'm wondering if I'm not in over my head now. I was all excited about taking the front/dash/radio area apart and when that didn't fix it I lost my groove. I'm just worried that I'll get it all apart and not know what to do or how to get it back together. Are the diagrams in the manual going to be good enough to help? I'm a pretty good do-it-myselfer by I panic a little when it comes to messing with wires and hoses on my vehicle.
Wiswind, what is an actuator and how do I make sure I'm getting a vacuum to it? Think I can find a picture of the air conditioning hoses system somewhere? I could follow that like a map! ;o) Thanks for your time guys!

I think I can...I think I can....

Cassie

Actuator..... They have an electrical connector....and a vaccum connector.
The electrical signal will open a valve inside....which will let air pass through....to do....whatever the function is.

If there are 2 vaccum lines....1 should have vaccum all the time whenever the engine is running. You would pull the line off....and see if you here a hissing noise when you do it.....and hold your finger over the end....it should have a good amount of vaccum. If not....you have a leak.

Where the actuator(s) would be for the rear air unit.....I do not know. But those who have the rear air unit should be able to help you.
You could also see if they give any information on the rear air unit in the free repair guides at www.autozone.com

Awesome, Wiswind! I'll check right now! I do appreciate your patience.

Cassie

Hey Guys! I took the rear a/c panel off and found a connection that is broken. I took a picture but now I can't figure out how to post it! Would you mind telling me how to post it or emailing me so that I can send it to ya? I can't find a picture of this in my manual! Please help me! Thanks, Cassie

Hey Guys! I took the rear a/c panel off and found a connection that is broken. I took a picture but now I can't figure out how to post it! Would you mind telling me how to post it or emailing me so that I can send it to ya? I can't find a picture of this in my manual! Please help me! Thanks, Cassie


Ok, I figured it out! Look at my gallery photos. I put the picture in there! Can't wait to see what you guys think! Thanks, Cassie

Hi all. I have a 96 Windstar. I had a hard time finding the part (F68H 19A642 AA). The Ford Dealer wanted $54.00 for it and had to order it. I went on the Motorcraft website and had to walk in to get their number since they did not recognize the Ford part number. The Motorcraft part number is YH-1465. I searched using the Motorcraft part number and it linked to a Ford part number F68Z 19986 AA. Motorcraft did show a picture of the part and it was what I need. I could not get the part locally and did find the Motorcraft part on Amazon.com for $16.42 plus shipping. It cost about $23.00 and took about a week to get it. Now the part comes in and it is the right one and the original Ford part number (F68H 19A642 AA) is stamped on the new part. Go figure. The switch did fix the problem. I also found out that there were two different versions for this year. They changed things a bit later on in the year. Mine was the later version and the service manual is incorrect. The manual says that there is a white vacuum line from the rear A/C control to the actuator in the rear. My vehicle has a green line at the rear actuator. I found that the white line goes to a splice that meets with the green line.