QuestionI have a 99 towncar and the heat does not work. Every thing else works/fan/ac. The car is on its sunset but want to keep it. Several people including Lincoln believe its the "blend door". Cost $800 for them to fix. Car seems worthless in Mn if I don't have some heat. Is there any way I can manually open the door for heat, doesnt have to be pretty anymore, just functional. Is it too complicated for a novice to find the door and move/remove it. I am OK with heat on always. We can roll down windows in summer so don't need AC anymore/door can be permanent heat.
AnswerHI Dan,
It's such a nice car. I'd really like to see you fix it.
The A/C electronic blend door actuator is located on the top of the plenum housing.
Its function is to move the air temperature blend door on command from the control assembly.
The A/C electronic blend door actuator contains a reversible electric motor and a potentiometer. The potentiometer wiper is connected to the actuator output shaft and moves with the output shaft to indicate the position of the air temperature blend door.
A 5 volt signal is applied to the ends of the potentiometer. The voltage available at the wiper indicates the position of the potentiometer. The expressed value of the actuator wiper voltage is sent to the electronic automatic temperature control module and is matched with the wiper voltage of the module potentiometer. The control module then drives the actuator motor in whichever direction is necessary to make the actuator wiper voltage agree with the control module wiper voltage.
Disconnect the battery.
Remove the instrument panel steering column cover.
Remove the RH and LH instrument panel lower insulator panels.
Remove the steering column opening brace.
Disconnect the steering shaft universal joint.
Remove the RH and LH cowl side trim panels.
Release the glove box door, and remove the two screws from the center instrument panel support.
Remove the instrument panel defroster grille.
Unclip the instrument panel defroster opening grille.
Disconnect the connectors.
Remove the instrument panel defroster opening grille.
Remove the RH and LH upper moldings.
Remove the three instrument panel cowl top screws.
Remove the RH instrument panel cowl slide nut.
Remove the upper LH instrument panel cowl side nut.
Remove the lower LH instrument cowl side bolt
Reposition the instrument panel rearwards. NOTE : Repositioning the instrument panel requires two technicians.
Cut the insulator and position away from the actuator.
Disconnect the connector.
Remove the screws and remove the electronic blend door actuator.
INSTALLATION
Install the electronic blend door actuator.
Connect the connector.
Tape the insulator in position.
Place the instrument panel in position. NOTE : Repositioning the instrument panel requires two technicians.
Install the lower LH instrument panel cowl side bolt.
Install the upper LH instrument panel cowl side nut.
Install the RH instrument panel cowl side nut.
Install the RH instrument panel cowl top screws.
Install the three instrument panel defroster grille opening.
Position the instrument panel defroster opening.
Connect the connectors.
Install the instrument panel defroster grille opening.
Reach through the glove box door opening and install the two center support screws.
Install the RH and LH cowl side trim panels.
Connect the steering shaft universal joint.
Install the instrument panel tunnel brace.
Install the RH and LH instrument panel lower insulator panels.
Install the instrument panel steering column cover.
I know it seems a little complicated, but I believe we can do it!
It say a novice should be about 4.3 hours... So get a 12 pack and have at it. I didn't see any special tools called for here.
When they talk about "wiper" they are talking about the arm to the door that swings the door from hot to cold. I guess you could disconnect the arm in the warm position, but after spending that much time getting to it, it's only three bolts from replacing it.
