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Pinpoint Test B: Insufficient, Erratic, Or No Heat

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Ford Ranger. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. B1 INSPECT FOR CORRECT ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL 
    • Key in OFF position.
    • Inspect the engine coolant level when the engine is hot and when cold.
      Fig 1: Inspecting For Correct Engine Coolant Level
      G03276677Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    • Is the engine coolant at the correct levels? 
    1. Yes  : GO to  B3.
    2. No  : GO to B2.
  2. B2 CHECK THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FOR LEAKS 
    WARNING: Never remove the radiator cap under any conditions while the engine is operating. Failure to follow these instructions could result in damage to the cooling system or engine and/or personal injury. To avoid having scalding hot coolant or steam blower out of the radiator, use extreme care when removing the radiator cap from a hot radiator. Wait until the engine has cooled, then wrap a thick cloth around the radiator cap and turn it slowly to the first stop. Step back while the pressure is released from the cooling system. When it is certain all the pressure has been released, press down on the cap (still with a cloth), turn and remove.
    • Fill the engine cooling system to the specified level.
    • Pressure check the cooling system, including the radiator cap. Refer to ENGINE COOLING . It is not necessary to check the components separately at this time.
    • Does the engine cooling system, including the radiator cap, hold pressure? 
    1. Yes  : GO to B3.
    2. No  : REPAIR the engine cooling system leak. TEST the system for normal operation.
  3. B3 CHECK FOR HOT COOLANT AT THE HEATER CORE INLET HOSE 
    WARNING: The heater core inlet hose will become too hot to handle and can cause serious burns if the system is working correctly.
    • Allow the engine to reach normal operating temperature.
    • Place the function selector switch in the floor position and the temperature control switch in the full hot position.
    • Feel the heater core inlet hose.
      Fig 2: Checking For Hot Coolant At Heater Core Inlet Hose
      G03276678Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    • Is the heater core inlet hose too hot to handle? 
    1. Yes  : GO to B4.
    2. No  : GO to  B5.
  4. B4 CHECK FOR HOT COOLANT AT THE HEATER CORE OUTLET HOSE 
    WARNING: The heater core outlet hose will become too hot to handle and can cause serious burns if the system is working correctly.
    • Feel the heater core outlet hose.
      Fig 3: Checking Hot Coolant At Heater Core Outlet Hose
      G03276679Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    • Is the heater core outlet hose too hot to handle? 
    1. Yes  : Go To PINPOINT TEST E: NO OPERATION IN ALL THE TEMPERATURE SETTINGS .
    2. No  : CARRY OUT the heater core component test. REFER to HEATER CORE  to determine whether a plugged or partially plugged condition exists.
  5. B5 CHECK FOR HOT COOLANT AT THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE INLET HOSE 
    WARNING: The heater control valve inlet hose will become too hot to handle and can cause serious burns if the system is working correctly.
    • Key in OFF position.
    • Feel the heater control valve inlet hose.
      Fig 4: Checking Hot Coolant At Heater Control Valve Inlet Hose
      G03276680Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    • Is the heater control valve inlet hose too hot to handle? 
    1. Yes  : GO to B6.
    2. No  : GO to ENGINE COOLING to check the engine cooling system function.
  6. B6 CHECK FOR VACUUM TO THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE 
      WARNING: When disconnecting the heater control valve, position the vacuum line away from the cooling fan and the accessory drive system.
    • Disconnect the vacuum line from the heater control valve.
      • Fig 5: Disconnecting Vacuum Line From Heater Control Valve
      G03276681Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    • Key in ON position.
    • With the engine running, check for the presence of vacuum at the heater control valve vacuum line.
    • Is vacuum present? 
    1. Yes  : INSTALL a new heater control valve (18495). TEST the system for normal operation.
    2. No  : GO to B7.
  7. B7 LEAK TEST THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE VACUUM LINE 
    NOTE: The heater control valve vacuum line is part of the recirculation air duct vacuum control motor vacuum circuit.
    • Key in OFF position.
    • Disconnect the jumper vacuum harness from the function selector switch and plug the recirculation air duct vacuum control motor vacuum line.
      Fig 6: Disconnecting/Plugging Jumper Vacuum Harness At Function Selector Switch
      G03276682Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    • Connect the special tool to the heater control valve vacuum line and apply 51 kPa (15 inches-Hg) of vacuum.
      Fig 7: Applying Vacuum To Heater Control Valve Vacuum Line
      G03276683Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    • Does the vacuum circuit lose more than 3.37 kPa (1 inch-Hg) of vacuum in one minute? 
    1. Yes  : GO to B8.
    2. No  : GO to  B10.
  8. B8 ISOLATE THE VACUUM LEAK 
    • Disconnect and plug the vacuum line from the recirculation air duct vacuum control motor.
      Fig 8: Disconnecting And Plug Vacuum Line From Recirculation Air Duct Vacuum Control Motor
      G03276684Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    • Using the special tool, apply 51 kPa (15 inches-Hg) of vacuum to the heater control valve vacuum line.
      Fig 9: Applying Vacuum To Heater Control Valve Vacuum Line
      G03276685Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    • Does the vacuum circuit lose more than 3.37 kPa (1 inch-Hg) of vacuum in one minute? 
    1. Yes  : REPAIR or INSTALL a new jumper vacuum harness (19D699), plenum vacuum harness (18C581), or heater control valve vacuum line. TEST the system for normal operation.
    2. No  : GO to B9.
  9. B9 LEAK TEST THE RECIRCULATION AIR DUCT VACUUM CONTROL MOTOR 
    • Disconnect the special tool from the heater control valve vacuum line.
    • Connect the special tool to the recirculation air duct vacuum control motor and apply 51 kPa (15 inches-Hg) of vacuum.
      Fig 10: Leak Testing Recirculation Air Duct Vacuum Control Motor
      G03276686Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    • Does the recirculation air duct vacuum control motor lose more than 3.37 kPa (1 inch-Hg) of vacuum in one minute? 
    1. Yes  : INSTALL a new recirculation air duct vacuum control motor (18A318). TEST the system for normal operation.
    2. No  : INSTALL a new function selector switch (19B888). TEST the system for normal operation.
  10. B10 CHECK THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE VACUUM LINE FOR AN OBSTRUCTION 
    • Remove the plug from the recirculation air duct vacuum control motor vacuum line at the jumper vacuum harness.
      Fig 11: Removing Plug From Recirculation Air Duct Vacuum Control Motor Vacuum Line At Jumper Vacuum Harness
      G03276687Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    • With the special tool still connected to the heater control valve vacuum line, try to pull a vacuum. If the special tool can pull a vacuum, the heater control valve vacuum line is plugged. If the special tool pulls a partial vacuum, the heater control valve vacuum line is restricted.
      Fig 12: Applying Vacuum To Heater Control Valve Vacuum Line
      G03276688Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    • Is the heater control valve vacuum line plugged or restricted? 
    1. Yes  : REPAIR or INSTALL a new heater control valve vacuum line, plenum vacuum harness (18C581), or jumper vacuum harness (19D699). TEST the system for normal operation.
    2. No  : INSTALL a new function selector switch (19B888). TEST the system for normal operation.
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