Lincoln/Mercury Repair: ventilation, automatic temperature control, freon 134

Question
I hope you can help with this or refer me to some place where I can ask.    I have a 1998 Mountaneer, last week the AC started to blow hot, I figured I was low on freon(134?) so I put some in.   It did not help.   What I am noticing though is that even with the AC off and the temp control on cool, when I put the switch on outside air, instead of getting outside air temp, I still get heat.    I'm wondering if there is a fuse or switch that controls the temp that might not be working???   Bill

Answer
Hi Bill,

I'm thinking it's the blend door actuator. Here's the TSB.

Article No.
98-23-20

11/23/98

FORD:
1997-98 CROWN VICTORIA, TAURUS

LINCOLN-MERCURY:
1997 TOWN CAR
1997-98 CONTINENTAL, GRAND MARQUIS, SABLE

LIGHT TRUCK:
1997-98 EXPLORER, MOUNTAINEER

This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to remove reference to the 1998 Town Car.

ISSUE
Some vehicles with a very low odometer reading may experience a lack of temperature control. This may be caused by the incorrect blend air door actuator being installed during the manufacturing process.

ACTION
Install the correct blend air door actuator. Refer to the following text and Actuator Chart to determine if the correct blend air door actuator is installed on the vehicle.

Vehicles which are equipped with manual and Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC) use different actuators. The actuators are marked "MAN" for manual and "EATC" or "ATC" for EATC systems. These markings are found on the part number sticker on the actuator.

1998 actuators differ from 1997 actuators on some vehicles (Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis, Continental, Explorer/Mountaineer) and are not interchangeable. Installation of the wrong actuator can cause potentiometer failure on manual systems, and no temperature control for both manual and EATC systems, as well as Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) 24 or 25 on EATC systems.



 



Refer to the Actuator Chart to determine if the correct actuator is installed into the vehicle and service as required.



 



Parts Block

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE

SUPERSEDES: 98-10-3

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage

OPERATION       DESCRIPTION                     TIME

982320A         install Correct Blend Air       2.3 Hrs.
               Door Actuator (Crown
               Victoria/Grand Marquis)

982320B         Install Correct Blend Air       0.7 Hr.
               Door Actuator
               (Taurus/Sable)

982320C         Install Correct Blend Air       1.2 Hrs.
               Door Actuator (Continental)

982320D         Install Correct Blend Air       2.5 Hrs.
               Door Actuator
               (Explorer/Mountaineer)

982320E         Install Correct Blend Air       1.2 Hrs.
               Door Actuator (Town Car)

DEALER CODING
                                  CONDITION
BASIC PART NO.                       CODE
19E616                                12

OASIS CODES: 208000, 208100, 208200, 208300, 208999