Broken Heater - Just in time for winter!

Reminds me of when my '83 CPs heater core went out...man, was I lazy...it was soooo cold that year, I waited a month and a half before it had warmed up enough for me to do it! In that meantime, I had to have both windows open to prevent the windshield from fogging; I also removed the rear weatherstrip from the hood to allow hot air to leak out and keep the windshield from icing while I drove. Which brings me to my point: check the entire HVAC while Summer's still going on so you can do preventive and corrective maintenance while it's still warm. And if your system fails in the middle of Winter, spend the money and have a shop repair it immediately. You don't want an accident while your windows are frozen over!

 

Even here in NW Florida we are supposed to get freezing temps and frost tonight. I guess Mother Nature is preparing us for Illinois.
I drove many old cars with little or no heat and no defrost is the biggest problem.

 

Glad it worked for you

On a what are the chances side note.......

I was given a company van last Monday to use as my own, heater only blew ice cold air. Yesterday I did exactly what you just did complete with all kinds of crud coming out. Today although nothing to brag about "hot" wise I have heat, enough IMO to defrost the windshield and take the chill off once Jack Frost shows up.

 

Right so ... now that the heat works, my AC is blowing not-cold.

I have no idea WTF that is about.

 

Either the A/C is low on refrigerant, or the temp blend door isn't working correctly.

 

If you have the automatic climate control on that Ford, the heater temperature is vacuum operated, and it is a BUGGER to keep it working right. In the winter, I often reach over the glove box, pull the vacuum line off the actuator, and plug it with a golf tee. Put it on in the spring. At least I get full heat, and can open the windows to cool things off! What happens is that when you are driving, if you hit a hill, and you have any sort of vacuum leak, the heater starts blowing hotter air, no matter the setting. The automatic parking brake release is the number one spot for a vacuum leak, and is another thing I block off with a golf tee as a matter of course. That nylon collar on the column WILL leak, it is only a matter of when.