HVAC stuck on defrost constantly blowing heat

2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC
230,000 MILES • 4.6L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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AWINTERS
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  • 2 POSTS
My truck is stuck on defrost and is constantly blowing heat and will not switch to Max AC of flow through the vents.
Mar 24, 2019 at 4:45 PM
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SCGRANTURISMO
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Hello,

This could be a problem with your defrost actuator. Over time your vehicle's actuators, which are little plastic gear driven motors, through normal wear and tear will wear out. When an actuator finally fails, if it stuck in a position, that is where it will stay. Your defrost actuator, it sounds like got stuck in the open position when it failed.
I have included a link for you to go to down below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-vents-stay-in-the-defrost-position

It is a helpful guide for your vehicle's condition. I have also included vehicle specific factory repair and replace instructions in the diagrams down below. Please go through these and get back to us with what you find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
Mar 24, 2019 at 11:27 PM
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AWINTERS
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I was thinking so. Most are called Blend Door actuator but I also thought it might be my heater core valve and one of the door actuators. But I’m going to attempt to take out the blend door actuator to see if It’s stuck and then see about my other theory.
Mar 25, 2019 at 8:12 PM
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SCGRANTURISMO
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

The temperature blend door actuator could be sticking as well. I have included a factory diagnostic guide to pinpoint the problem in the diagrams down below. Please go through it and get back to us with what you find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

Mar 29, 2019 at 12:06 AM