So I've spoken to a few buddies that are certified ford techs, but I wanted to see if any of you guys had this problem and know if there's an easy, cheap fix. My 99 XLT's heat and AC only comes out of the top vent and foot vent. Nothing from the facing vents. I've been told to check the vacuum solenoid. Ok, guys, I was a GM and BMW tech both use electronics to control those systems I know nothing about Ford. I have to take her to the shop because I have a coolant leak that only happens when I turn on the heat, and the leak is somewhere in the engine bay.

 

Yes, the Vent controls on the Rangers use vacuum "motors", they are called motors even though they are more like solenoids, lol.

There are 3 motors
Panel
Floor
Fresh air, this is only used in MAX AC position, it closes outside air intake so cab air is re-cooled by AC instead of trying to cool down hotter air from outside
All vehicle AC systems use this for MAX AC, lol, an AC system just has 2 setting, ON and OFF

Defrost is when No Vacuum is applied to panel or floor vents, so default setting if no vacuum is available

Diagram here of the air flow and vent doors: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/a...ntid=517&stc=1
V = vacuum
NV = no vacuum
PV = partial vacuum

Most likely is that the defrost/panel door motor is unplugged or door is stuck and motor can't move it, this cuts off all panel air
You can move these doors by pulling on the vacuum motors arm, doesn't hurt the motors, to test if door is free to move

The TEMP setting is done by an Electric motor on 1995 and up Rangers, it is called the Blend Door, it closes off air flow thru heater core, in COLD position, then allows air flow thru heater core as you turn the Temp **** towards HOT, the motor is called the Blend Door actuator, and is a common failure in many Fords, but just effects TEMP, nothing else

Diagrams of Explorer vents and vacuum motors here so you know what to look for under the dash: https://www.justanswer.com/ford/3814...ash-vents.html


If you can change air flow from defrost to floor then you do have vacuum in the cab at the selector panel
A common issue is Defrost only because vacuum line in engine bay has been damaged, so no vacuuum in the cab to run the "motors"


In the engine bay is the plastic heater bypass valve, has 4 hoses attached and a vacuum hose, grey one that comes from firewall
These do crack and leak

 

yeah the ranger is completely different from the B3k I just opened the hood and it was like trying to ready Arabic. Temp changes fine no problems its just the direction that doesnt want to work. i did find why my windshield washer fluid wasnt spraying on both sides and fixed that. it's sad that i was a mazda and bmw tech but have no idea what i'm doing now.

 

So I found a broken Vacuum hose in the engine bay that seems like it came from the airbox to a T split. Coming from the T to the what i'm guessing is the main module i found a break right at that T. I pulled the connector from the t pulled out the broken hose and put in the hose to that connector. Tried the AC and that was the issue i'll get a picture and post in reply to this so that someone can see what i'm talking about

 

Good work

Thank for the update, pictures are always welcome