2008 Ford Explorer Blend Door Actuator

The second part of working on the heating and cooling system in my Ford Explorer. I have not had to tear the dash completely apart yet but depending on where my vacuum leak is that may be in the future.
The part I used - amzn.to/2xrLxSh
Remember this is a VIN specific part. Be sure and put your vehicles information into the Amazon finder and there are 6 different ones I believe.
A few useful tools:
Craftsman 11 pc. 6 pt. Standard 1/4 in.Socket Wrench Set amzn.to/2y93N6q
Husky 100-Position Double Ratcheting Wrench Set, Metric
amzn.to/2y8UGmc -- NOTE: If you have a Home Depot near you these go on sale for about 30.00 pretty regularly.
Gear Wrench Metric Set 16 - amzn.to/2gm1NOV
Gear Wrench SAE Set 16 - amzn.to/2xpQZK9
Now these are the "original" ratcheting wrench I like the action better than the Husky but I do like the texture on the Huskys a bit better.
Craftsman Ratcheting Wrenches - amzn.to/2y9buJY

[@dadurweird]

I experienced a broken actuator on my 2008 Ford Explorer earlier this week with the symptoms mentioned here. Thinking this repair would involve a lot of swearing and cut fingers, I searched for, and found this video to help with my repair. This video is spot-on. Follow the steps described here and the job will be easier than what you envision and see here. Thank you for taking the time to put this video together, your efforts are much appreciated and my wife has hot heat and is happy. One additional thing, before I installed the new part, I plugged in the new part, turned on the ignition and tested the new switch by turning the temperature knob from cold to hot. The new switch functioned perfectly.

[@chadheadley78]

Thanks for sharing! Going to be changing one of these tomorrow. Have the vacuum leak going on too. Lol. Have around 150k on mine. Other than the heater/AC issues, it's been a great vehicle.

[@DirkMitchell]

Glad it helped. I have loved all my Fords but vacuum issues have popped up on all of them. Usually not to big a deal but I have had some odd ones. My truck had a 5.4 and on that one there is a rubber elbow that was under insulation against the firewall that went to the PCV valve. The elbow dries out and cracks open but you cant see it because it is insulated. It took a KZbin video showing where that was before I checked it and had a 30.00 part fix a major headache! Vacuum leaks can be such a pain!

[@D3V1LSBL00D-n3s]

I just replaced mine. Now it blows hot air but a/c only blows hot air as well.

[@hardhead1109]

Big thank you got mine changed no problem because your demonstration was great. But I caused another problem when back together on AC only blows out of the defrost area, any ideals what I missed?

[@alonsoh2050]

Thanks, very well explained.

[@DirkMitchell]

Thanks I am glad you found it helpful.

[@garydonmaynard8328]

I put a new blend motor on mine but I have hot air bleeding over into my driver side the passenger side is okay but the driver side I can feel a little bit of warm air coming mixing up with the cold air

[@chaosoness]

Thank you, you saved me $$$

[@DirkMitchell]

Glad I could help

[@ufartface]

you have to know the difference between a problem and the cause- something caused the gears to break in the actuator- could be stuck door or broken door- if you cant find the cause- you will be changing actuator soon

[@napacell7261]

Mine is still not working.....is there a way to reprogram it?

[@DirkMitchell]

There isn't any programing on this model. It is just a plug in actuator. If it still isn't working after this I would check the connection and if that is good it is something else. I would be looking at the actual module in the dash that the dials attach to. Those can go out as well.

[@JohnDoe-os7kh]

My 07 explorer Eddie b has dual climate option and it’s all digital on the center console. Does that mean my explorer has 2 blendoor actuators?? If so, how do I find them?? Ty

[@omargonzalez5533]

I have a 07 explorer and the driver side blows hot air but the passenger side blows cold. I did notice that behind my rear view mirror theres a sensor that came off put it back it then it started blowing hot air again. Whats the name of the sensor do you know?

[@DirkMitchell]

If your Explorer has the dual climate control it could be a temperature sensor. I am not sure since mine does not have that.....Well I say mine it is my Ex-Wifes Explorer now.

[@georgepeach2282]

You didn't show how you got the big black piece back in. .....?

[@larrywilson7933]

He didn’t really “show”much of anything. Talked a lot about the wires that no one else is going to have, but over all, nothing I don’t already know.

[@bobbyarias9788]

My A/C started blowing at 80 degrees two weeks after I replaced the compressor and dryer. I couldn’t find the orfice tube so I went without replacing it. All worked fine for two weeks and then this problem creeped up. The compressor was running normally as was the HVAC gauges but were intermittent. I was wondering if I had a restriction because of the orfice tube. Both heater core hoses were hot and that shouldn’t be. I removed the heater core hoses thereby completely bypassing the heater core. I’m now back to 48 degrees on the highway. I replaced the blend door actuator 4 months ago so I don’t think that’s the problem but not ruling it out. I’m thinking this problem is with the vacuum leading to the heater valve because nothing changes the heater valve lever. Anyone have any thoughts?

[@DirkMitchell]

Hopefully you figured it out by now but one of my few complaints about my Fords are the vacuum systems. I have spent way too much time looking for a small leak causing a big issue.

[@danielmalette4637]

Does this applies for the passenger side as well?

[@DirkMitchell]

There is only one in the vehicle, at least on this model. If you have dual climate control then there may be one on the other side as well.

[@abdudub4668]

كان الافضل لو ان الشركه المصنعه وضعت ثقوب للبراغي في البلاستك او صممو المسننات بشكل اقوى

[@popazuda71]

Is there a separate blend door actuator for the rear in an 04 explorer?

[@DirkMitchell]

I am not sure exactly but the online parts list is only showing 1. If it is like mine and just has vents in the center console facing the rear seats then it should be amzn.to/2JVX7Ma If it has an entirely seperate system for the rear like my van does it may be different.

[@kb102100]

The rear heat is controlled by the passenger heater control.

[@stevenlashley2362]

bob

[@styldsteel1]

Ah yes. Got it. So the chinese who made the actuator really should have used metal gears instead of plastic. got it.