# Heat/cool- ford explores **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [March 9, 2008, 3:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/heat-cool-ford-explores/11618 "2008-03-09T15:58:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CARREB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e5b9ba/32.png) [@CARREB](https://community.cartalk.com/u/CARREB)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2008, 3:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/heat-cool-ford-explores/11618/1 "2008-03-09T15:58:04Z")
1997 Exp- c. 112K miles. On just completed trip, the temp gauge registered fine-but the a/c did not really cool (was cool outside), and would cycle between warm and cool air. On the “heat” setting, the output was really very warm- similar to those wall mounted hand dryers. What could be the cause? ---
**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2008, 4:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/heat-cool-ford-explores/11618/2 "2008-03-09T16:56:11Z")
There may be a problem with the refrigerant level in the AC system. The problem could also be with the vent doors not moving to the correct position, possibly due to a vacuum leak. Most vent door systems use the vacuum from the engine to operate the air blend doors. ---
**Author:** ![Opera\_House](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@Opera\_House](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Opera_House)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2008, 5:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/heat-cool-ford-explores/11618/3 "2008-03-09T17:13:18Z")
The 97 Explorer is one year that has the blend door problem, a vane that cracks at the actuator. I modified my 97 with a hole in the plenum that can be accessed through the glove box giving me a summer and winter position. The alternative is a $900 repair. The whole dash has to come out to install a new plenum. There are other things you can try at [www.explorer4x4.com](http://www.explorer4x4.com) by searching under blend door. Don’t waste your time here.