98 Windstar Rear A/C problems

[preachintim]

I found after tracing down my vacuum lines that my rear ac/heat switch is leaking. I covered the black line and my front ac started working fine. I jumped it to the white line and my rear started working fine. I am going to purchase a new switch today and replace.
Hope this helps someone.

[BroncoJoe19]

Here are some vacuum diagrams for the ford windstar rear auxillary heater and a/c courtesy of phantom_smack
FrontVacControlDiagram.JPG

RearVacControlDiagram.JPG

VacControlChart.JPG

[Wilsons4]

Hi everyone, this is my first post but I have read all of the threads concerning the windstar rear A/C. My problem is that I get ice cold air coming from the bottom vents when I have the rear air on and boiling hot air coming from the bottom vents as well when the heat is selected. Every other thread is that the vents blow hot air from the bottom all the time, is this an easy fix like a vacuum line or is my WS just not meant to have air coming from the roof vents?

[BroncoJoe19]

See the pictures in link #55.
Check for vacuum at the actuator that flips that little blue lever.

that is the actuator that moves the flaps to direct air to the top vents.
IF you have vacuum, then the actuator si probably bad.

[Wilsons4]

I have vacuum from the black line that goes to the switch on the dash, but there is no vacuum on the white line described earlier in the thread. I jimmy rigged the dirctional blue flapper for now but from what I have noticed it is the switch in the dash correct?

[edo89]

Based on your description, I would say it is either the switch, or leaky/clogged white vacuum line. I would start with the switch, about $32 at the dealer. I would also manually test actuator, just to make sure it works properly - press it down and put your finger over the opening connecting to the white line. It should stay closed. If you replace the switch and the problem persists, and you are getting vacuum over the black line to the switch, and you know actuator works, than it can only be the white line between the rear switch on the dashboard and the rear actuator.

[windtrak]

Wilson4,

The White line at the rear of the controller switch to the rear actuator changes color to green (on my '96 Windstar).

I posted my case of plugged black hose with the now famous 'green stuff' little while ago after dealing with similar problem. I believe the green stuff is a grease that is inside the rear switch. The mechanical part design of this ON/ OFF vacuum part of the switch is so cheap that Ford should be ashamed. The grease gets sucked into the tube over period of time, then hardens inside causing apparent lost of vacuum. I used very thin wire and brake cleaner to clear the tube.

I got new switch from the dealer (~$30.00).

Problem fixed.

Once you replace the switch, go ahead and take the old one apart. You'll see what I mean by cheesy.

[taz4x4150]

I have been battling the dreaded ac/heat problem for a couple of years now. I "fixed" mine with the jumper hose the first time and it is kept in the ash tray for easy access. This is the first time I have heard of the "ghost buster green slime" Sounds like I need to try to clean out the black line THANX!!