I have a 2000 windstar 3.8. heater and a/c does not work. blower works fine except for a clicking sound every 2/3 seconds depending on where the slider is pulled to on the temperature control panel. i changed the thermostat today and it is still not working. i'm no expert by any means on vehicle repair and was LUCKY to find the thermostat and replace it but it seems to me that there is no pressure getting into the hose that leads from the radiator to the thermostat. when the car is running the hose is empty and "sqeezable" no pressure in it. after running the car for 5 minutes the resevoir didnt seem to have any pressure either. maybe i'm far off but it seems like that hose should be filled if i'm trying to heat the car. any help before the ice and snow hits would be appreciated. thanks!

just noticed on another auto forum that someone had issue with an actuator?? does this sound right? can i find this at my local adv. auto parts store or is this something i need to get somewhere else. any idea on cost?

HELP I'M TOO POOR FOR COSTLY REPAIRS!!
[sm=yikesomg.gif]

 

fyi... heat is WORKING!!!! the problem was the actuator. it is located behind the radio/heating,air controls. it is no bigger than a pack of cigs and it is white. you can't miss it when you take out the radio. it's the only white part. kinda hard to get to but well worth the effort. was told it would have cost me about 1k to take it in for repair. thank god i found a post on another automotive repair site. same issues, same problem, same fix for about 60 bucks and 2 hours of work. the part was 53.00 and then i bought a tool for 4 bucks at walmart to get the radio out. was told i could use a coathanger. i tried this.. it took me longer to figure out the coathanger idea wasn't working than it took me to just go to walmart and buy the right tool. i posted a couple pics for everyone to see what the part looked like just in case. and i hope you can benefit from what i've learned.. saved me hundred and hundreds. oh yeah.. i also opened up the bad actuator to find out what went wrong.. suprise suprise... plastic gears and parts. my kids toys look better engineered.
until next repair.............

 

this same part has failed in my 99 windstar: also on the passenger side of the heater case a round vacume control with plastic arm ( # F58H-19A580-AC ) has broken and is hanging. Ford tells me the case will need replaced due to broken blend door parts. Has anyone had a problem like this?

 

I also found the blend door broken-after I had replaced the actuator! Nothing for the actuator shaft to nest in. So I took the glove box out to have access to the blend door ducting -cut a 2 by 2 inch hole to have access to manually place the door up for heat. It is not full hot like the old days(door doesn't fit tight) but is ok(warm) and you still have the rear heat on a different actuator.

 

This actuator has been used in various Ford models. The clicking sound is caused by broken teeth in a little plastic cog. When replacing the actuator you must turn the housing to match the D-shaped slot with the D-shaped door axle, then turn the housing back to the point where the mounting bolts will fit.
If my blend door case were broken I would probably replace it with one from a pull-a-part.
I have bought my replacement actuator at O'Reilly's for about 40. It has a lifetime warranty.

 

Paul: read my previous post again. Hint: O'Reilly's is a auto parts store and "Advance Auto" is a major competitor. Sorry for not labeling the number '40', it should be '$40'.

(I think I am in need of an attitude adjustment)