90/91 Dash (from hell) Removal.

[91grandmarquis]

Soooooo..... After 6 hours I got a little somewhere. Now I am wondering if I can get to the blend door and ATC with the dash like this. The reason I ask is because there is a mass of giant wire that runs from the firewall to the fuse box... under the dash (clipped all the way) to the other side and back into the firewall. If I want to take the dash completely out I need to take this wiring harness out, which looks like another 5 hours of work.

Here are some pictures... I want to replace anything that could be responsible for my A/C blowing hot air (80*) and my heat only blowing the hottest air. I have had the A/C blow cold on occasion and the under hood blend door has been replaced by the previous owner, and the HVAC unit has been replaced as well. The pump engages when I turn the A/C on so it leaves the under dash shit as the culperate.

Could somebody point out the part on the blend door that controls it's opening/closing? Also I know the ATC is under the dash pad with the white hose going to it, is there anything else that should be replaced while I am under here?



pics...












^ I think that white box is the blend door switch?

[gadget73]

Now that the dash is down, pick it back up and remove the 2 nuts on the bottom of the air plenum box. There should be 2 more on the engine compartment side, then the box will slide back far enough to get the actuator off. Unhook the heater hoses before you pull the box back, they will get in your way.

If I'm not terribly mistaken, the white box is your blend door actuator, and what is most likely causing your problem.

http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00175.html

is the process on an early 90s Towncar. Its pretty similar. I would not take the suggestion to just pry on the thing and break the BDA. Pull the box loose so you can access the screws and remove the BDA correctly.


Thats really interesting by the way. I honestly had no idea that they ever went to electronic blend doors on boxes. I thought all the ATC stuff in boxes was the vacuum mess like I have.

[91grandmarquis]

Yeah I got the new blend door from ford, It is a ford only part and was $66. I also ordered teh ATC as well for $25. The ATC does not require the dash to be removed to replace though. Ill get some pics of that later.

[Lincolnmania]

way different than 89 and older wow

[1987cp]

way different than 89 and older wow

You hadn't had one open either?


I think I'm seeing a convenient flexy hose going somewhere ... I don't suppose they actually got rid of those big dumb rigid ducts, did they?

[andymac0035]

Hmmm.......
Watching and learning here.......and very glad I don't have ATC!!

[91grandmarquis]

Hmmm.......
Watching and learning here.......and very glad I don't have ATC!!

Lucky bastard...

Ive got her back together... minus all the shit that goes in the dash. New blend door is on. I'm still waiting on the ATC sensor (it can be put in with dash bolted up)... Running wires for a tach, and getting new odometer gears.

If this fixes the AC problem *Fingers crossed* (Im not sure what else it could be) That means that only the passenger side door actuator needs replacing for my car to have NOTHING WRONG with it... *Cough besides fender trim *cough

Hopefully this thread helps some people a little bit, if anybody has more specific questions about it now or in the future I will be able to answer them for you. There is too much to list to do a step by step.

Hardest part - lifting the dash... Im pretty sure it weighs close to 80lbs. Also almost all the screws are the same... so not much need for labeling.

I will keep you updated on if this works or not.

-JR

[91grandmarquis]

You hadn't had one open either?


I think I'm seeing a convenient flexy hose going somewhere ... I don't suppose they actually got rid of those big dumb rigid ducts, did they?

That hose is for the ATC (if you are referring to the white one) I assure you those ducts are still all there, and all in the way.

[Lincolnmania]

see u at scottfest?

[91grandmarquis]

see u at scottfest?

Money is still wicked tight man... (I know playing the money card) I will see what I can pull. Busted my ass to get my moms car on the road, my dads truck had the trans pulled and crank looked at and it is all fine... shop was scratching there heads, then they narrowed it down to what they think is a piece of the cat broke loose inside it. Shop didn't charge us a dime because they didn't fix the problem... two mechanics working 8hrs straight to diagnose it and us not having to pay... that is an honest damn shop.

Ill try to swing it man... I really will, but it also looks like my family may be going on vacation that week too. I know you guys must want to see the car, and I would love to see yours as well, but college is first.

[1990LTD]

I know I'm going to have to replace the heater core SOME day since afaik it's the stocker...I do not look forward to that day...

[1980c10]

So you didnt pull it all the way? Just layed it down?

edit : looks like there is alot of junk under there I could possibly get rid of for some weight reduction
hmmmm?

[91grandmarquis]

So you didnt pull it all the way? Just layed it down?

Yeah.. didn't want to take the mass off wires out of the dash.. this gave me enough room to work.

[GoFordBroke]

Howdy, it's a couple years later but I have a couple of ???'s, if you'll be so kind. First, how many bolts hold the dash on? I have removed bolts of three different sizes from everywhere I can see, feel, or imagine, but the dash ain't down. Any bolts/attachments in particular stand out for their concealment or deviousness? Did you unbolt the steering shaft connection under the dash? Are there more BIG bolt besides the two on each side by the footwell kick panel? What is holding it in the center of the dash? I have everything out that can be unplugged/removed but the f---ing dash will not pull forward like your pics show.
Also, did this work fix your problem? Mine is doing exactly the same thing... Thank you in advance.

[sly]

yes, you have to unbolt the steering shaft and there may be one hidden behind the instrument cluster and ash tray. Also, the big bolts in the lower corners behind the kick panels are the main side supports and must be removed.