I want to thank you for helping me. I am a old single grandma and I just fixed it all by myself with your help! Proud of myself.I have heat😀

I cannot even begin to explain how thankful I am that you made this video. I drive the exact explorer and haven't had heat since last winter. But thanks to you, me and my family no longer have to freeze cause I'm too poor to pay a mechanic. So thank you, seriously.

6 years later and this video is still blessing people! I saw it over a year ago was a little apprehensive to try! Worked like a charm and I’m grateful!

I bought a 2003 Ford Explorer for about 1500$ over a year ago, great SUV but the heat crapped out on me. Took it to a dealership to see if it could be fixed... I was quoted $201 for the part and $2275. for labor, w/tax a total of $2492. Your video was fantastic, it worked and saved me a big chuck of change. Thank you very much!

Did this today and it worked great! I searched many videos before I found this one. This is the best, most informative video!

Just a couple tips for anyone who might elect to flip the switch manually/without removing the panels and just flipping down the glovebox and reaching through the side: because of the location and small amount of space, you will not be able to fit a light and/or camera inside to see exactly what you're doing. I did it this way and once I gained enough access (I have somewhat large hands/long fingers for a lady) by way of dropping down the glovebox and reaching over behind the plastic panel, I couldn't quite figure out exactly where the lever was; so, I decided to crank the engine and turn the dial over to start up the clicking from the failure to engage. It was super simple to find by tracking the source of the noise and I was able to get it switched over in no more than 10 seconds. I probably fidgeted with it a good 2 minutes or so before deciding to try it that way but it was near instantaneous once it started clicking again. I would have removed the panels and placed a zip tie like the poster, but I was afraid that since the lever already wasn't working properly, and being a 15 year old vehicle, that I might accidentally snap off the lever, either partly or entirely, because of the direction it would be pulled (due to the console framing panels, it'd be pulled toward the side instead of straight down) and, if it did snap off, there'd be no getting around replacing then. That is unless I wanted to spend a North-Eastern winter as a popsicle! 🥶🥶😵 Thank you sooo much, @Eric Griffin, for making this video! You've definitely saved this chick and her family from needlessly suffering a Buffalo winter! Brrr! 🥶💙

Thank you for this video. This has saved a dad and two kids from freezing during morning school runs. I've just temporarily fixed the heater for the winter season. My mechanic was tired of fixing stuff on my truck, so I decided to do this repair myself. It works.

Thank you so much for all your help. We have had this problem for a week. My boyfriend just got a 2002 Explorer and it started not even a week after he got it. Merry Christmas. Thanks again.

Thank you so very much! Mechanic wanted to charge me $ 350.00 😢😮 found your video and am grateful, grateful! God bless You!!!!

I had doubts at first, but it actually works. I just fixed my heat. Thanks a million . . . !

Great video! I was looking for something more permanent, but this is great too. To those who might be mechanically inclined, the part that is broken is called a blend door actuator- $45 at AutoZone. Apparently, it's made of little plastic gears and can be broken by switching from hot and cold quickly, not the temp change, but the quick movement of switching. Anyway, I found some great videos, searching "blend door actuator". It's a very similar process, just on the other side of the dash.

Thank youu! Was able to fix it while waiting in the school pick up line lol my son was so happy to get in and realize the heat worked again 😂 great detailed video!

Man I cant thank you enough for this video. Had the clicking noise and only blowing cold air. Found this video off from Google, and 10 minutes later. I got heat.

I just completed this project! Thank you for the step by step instructions! Took me 2 hours and works great. Thank you! Saved a ton of $$$.

Works like a charm. Took a max of 45 minutes and that was just taking my time. Thanks for the info !!!!

Thanks for the tip. Now I have heat too. Took me about 45 mins and it was easy. I'm not a mechanic just a 60 yr old farm wife.

Great video Eric - this helped us fix this issue with a 2006 Explorer. And we only had to remove the lower panel just below that switch. We even used the twist tie fix ! Thanks again !

Thank you so much for posting this video! The first snow of the season was this morning and without a heater I was terrified for what was to come in the next few weeks. I was able to fix my heater, on my break and in less than 5 minuets! Thank you Ford Explorer man!!

My daughter & I used this method & it worked like a charm. The only thing is he said one of the screws was an 8mm but it is actually took a 10mm bit but other than that we got it done! Thanks for the video 😊

Thank you for saving a ton of money. I was able to fix the heater and defroster for a friend who was very appreciative. Shame on Ford for a part that could have been assembled with better quality. Metal gears instead of plastic should be a no brainier.

I gotta express my gratitude to you for posting this . I was imagining either taking the entire freaking dashboard apart or paying someone way too much to fix this problem. As soon as I saw No Heat/ Clicking I knew this was the video I needed. November and December in Indiana is no place to be without a heater/defroster. I got this truck for a song with only 78000 miles because the previous owners didn't have the wherewithal to look for a DIY video about how to deal with this problem and gave up on it. Now I have a great 4X4 SUV with plenty of life left in it and no bank note to pay . Thank you

Don't you love it when a video actually fixes your problem. You're a Saint

God bless you Eric you just saved me $700 and a brutal winter thanks

Thank you !!! I’ve had this problem for over two years now and finally decided to look into fixing this...... Again thank you for this video !!!

Bro you posted this in 2014 and it's still helping out now😌😌😌 thank you you saved me time and money. 👌💯

Just wanted to say your a life saver came out of work freezing rain no heat watched your video and bam heat again thanks so much

This worked perfectly...i didnt remove any of the panels...i simply pulled out the glove box and reached in thier and pulled the lever down. Thank you!

Bless ya Sir ,auto repair place wanted $1,500 with no promises. And you did a great job of filming and explaining 👍👍👏👏👏👏✌🏻💚 I had to reach hand up to feel the clicking arm,pull it 1/2 way down holding in place and turn off ignition so I could loop zip tie over. Very little visibility ,but persistence pays 👍🏻👍🏻✌🏻

Its December 2018 yesterday mechanic told me 387 dollars to fix i just did this step by step in 20 minutes and it worked for me thank you brother

Thank you so much for posting,,,,Very informative ,and worked like a charm, ,,,,My Mom won't be cold tonight when I take her shopping ,,,,God Bless you and your family,,,,,

Wow man I am no mechanic and thanks to your video I was able to fix my moms explorer heater... i hope the fix lasts a long time but for now it is working awesome I didnt remove all the plastics but because you did I knew where everything was. Thanks a million

I too have a 2004 ford explorer which had this very problem, I simply pulled out my glove compartment,( made sure the heat was on) used a little flashlite with my left hand so with my right hand I took a long flathead screwdriver located the lever & simply slid the screwdrver in & simply pushed that lever down!! BAM! I got heat!!all of 5 minutes! Thank You

Thanks you soooo much for your advice on how to fix this problem......I too followed Ro Ro's comment and only went thru the glove box - I used a long pen to push the mechanism down - I now have heat again

Thanks so much, you saved my ass I live in Maine and we have a bad storm coming. and she brings me to work with my two year old son I was so worried about my son being cold. Thanks again

I opened the glove box door and thanks to you was able to see the actuator and turned up the air full blast and pried it open with the screwdrive and it slammed open and now i have heat! i took off the hot/cold knob so the kids won't switch back to cold. in summer i will pop it back for AC.

Dec 2016-awesome awesome-thank you! I clicked on any and all ads I could. Tomorrow I will refresh page and click some more! THANK YOU!! Life Saver!

This is because Ford uses a cheap, plastic gear, rather than a light, aluminium gear... Cheap products/parts.... big price. This is a PIA to fix the correct way, and is an enormous rip-off via a garage or a Ford dealer. It is an incredibly difficult part to get to. Thanks Ford! In truth, this should be labeled as a safety issue, and Ford made to do a recall for ALL vehicles with this issue, whether original owners or not because, if you cannot get your heat/defrosters to work in various weather conditions your vision is impaired by fogged windows

First video I've seen that describes my problem perfectly. Thanks.

Thank you for sharing this video. It helped me to fix a problem that I had for 2 years

Brother I just wanna thank you for this information! & also everybody in the comments! Y’all saved me money & worries! Thanks to the man recording I knew where to look! I have a 02 Ford Explorer. That lever was missing tho! So I kept over looking until I watched closely again & he pointed where it should be. I couldn’t use a zip tie(had some ready tho) I ended up using an Allen key to turn the lever down.. or where the lever would’ve been I used an Allen key. & just wedged it in place! Now I have heat again!!! It’s Oct 25 2021. Only video out of like 12 vids this ACTUALLY helped me. Thanks a lot!

Thank you this was an awesome video and helped me do just what my Mechanic charged me $65 to do you are truly a life saver

I actually just bought a 2002. Same issue. I found some zip ties and went to do exactly what was shown here but as I sit down in the passenger seat I look down and see a few inches of black zip tie already sticking out of the console. Lol I pull it and BAM! Heat is back on. I guess the previous owner already watched your video. Thanks!

Worked like a charm. Simple Easy. Not paying someone to do the correct fix when this is just as good. If Ford thinks a metal driver on a plastic gear is a good idea, then I think a plastic zip tie is also equivalent.

Perfect! I didn’t even have to take all of the paneling off. Just the glove compartment and I reached in around where the flap is. Warmth!!!

thanks dude. i just bought this truck during the summer and the air worked but when it started getting cold the heat wasnt working and i was pissed! I couldnt afford to take it to a shop so i am extremely happy that i saw this video!

Dude, you helped me and my daughter from freezing up here as we start winter in Oregon. Much appreciated brother

Thank you sooooo much!!! The shop i took it to was going to charge me an obscene amount of money to fix this.

Eric, thank you we have over 200,000 miles on our 2005 Explorer, this Sir, was a Huge help!

youre a genius! i went to auto zone and they saidd i had a thermostat issuse indefinitely trying this!life saver! im excited😄😄😂

thank you soooo much you just saved me $550 dollars.......and my wife is happy again...thank you GOD BLESS

Great one way fix. I didn't need to fix my heater, I'm actually going to need a compressor, but it did help me to figure out how to remove the center console, thank you.

I wanted to thank you for helping me with this winter storm had us out without heat in my Explorer XLT third row 2003 and you help me tremendously all I had to do was do it myself and save lots of money you have a blessed New Year my friend and thanks for saving us this guy is the best

Idk if your still seeing this comments but thank you bro that's one hella of a Life Hack...

The best video i seen regarding this topic, thank you

Thanks so much that's the exact problem i have and the cold weather is on the way so this video is right on time for me!!

Omg thank youuuuu!!!! And the people that commented, helped me out as well. It was hard at first bec I didn't know what I was looking for but was able to reach it from glove box.

Thank you so much. I ordered the motor already but this will definitely help in the meantime

"Dude ur fucking awesome life saver " I never comment on nobody's videos but now I could have my son come with me and my explorer thanks for the video

Will try it this weekend.... Looks good, thank you for letting me see how it looks in there!

Thank you so much for posting this video. Just fixed my 2002 and feeling pleased as punch!

Thank you for posting this video. It took me maybe 25 minutes to do this and I really appreciate it.

Never comment on these but have to make an exception... Thank you, you just saved my butt!

Thank you for the info this is exactly what's happening to my truck this video is great. Louis

Thanks! My daughter and I fixed the heater in the '05 Exploder! She has heat driving to school and work in our Idaho winter.

Dude thank you so much for posting this! Mines been doing this since last year. I was fucking freezing today til i found your video and fixed it! Youre the man!

dude you are genius. this happened in my moms truck and things are a bit tight on cash right now.. and everyone is saying get the part from the dealer and it is $100+.. so at least this will get her by for now.. i did this the other day. thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the video! Mine wasn't clicking but i checked the same lever and it wasn't engaging... so now I have a zip tie to pull the lever and heat again

From watching your video, I saw u putthe phone thru the glove department to show it, I literally didn't remove anything butthe glove dep, reach in, felt the piece moving and pushed it down, working now, thanks

Thank you so much brother you have saved me and my kids for the winter ❄️

Thank you! You helped me fix my explorer this winter!

Thank you sooooo much for this!! Saved my wallet and my sanity.

What is that part called ?

I followed the steps and I have heat!! The worst part for me was trying to find the lever. I kind of had to put me head in the glove box hole to see the lever (be careful! It's a tight fit!) but then I was able to do every thing else by feel. Thank you for this video!

Excellent video thank you so much. Been trying to figure out a quick fix for this before winter hits....

Thank you so much! You totally saved my family and I from the cold this year! Thank you thank you!

Thank you, that's exactly what I needed to know

My explorer had the same problem! Awesome help. Thanks!

Thank you for your excellent video , I have a 2006 Ford Explorer XLT and I watched your video did it in 5 mins, mine was easier I only had to remove the side panel with the button and open the glove box , Saves me from this -1 weather thank you !!🙏🏼🤩

man thank you, thank you,thank you! I was freezing but your trick worked out for me!

Saved me time & money. Thank you!

yooo this is awesome! thank you, love the zip tie idea

Going to try it this weekend. Thank you so much.

Winter is coming... gl guys! I still use this hack in 2019! This bad boy has 250k miles and has no signs of failure! Hoping to get another 100k out of it. We'll see 🤞😁

I had a hard time hearing you but I am going to try this mine is doing the same thing. Thanks for the video.

going out to try this right now..will let you know how I made out....Thanks for the video

Life saver ! Thanks for posting !!

Best vid I've seen on this. Thanks.

This worked for mine I have a 2004 also that was clicking with no heat. THANK YOU!!!

Watched many videos but this one did it , ! Thanks

Very good video you could see everything that was going on awesome,good job

Works great on 2004 explore thank you so much

thank you so much you don't know how much you help me

GREAT VIDEO THANKYOU AND I HOPE THAT IS THE FIX I NEED ! AC NOT ON BUT COLD AIR COMES FROM THE VENTS. WORTH A TRY BUT WINTER IS COMING ON STRONG AND ITS NOT WINTER YET!!!

AWESOME HELPFUL video! Many thanks👍

Thanks!!! I saved a lot, very good video 👍🏻

Tried it and it works fine now thank you 👌👍👍👍👍

Oh thank you so much for this video I can't even tell you how you saved my butt and my sanity!!

Worked like a charm!!! Thank you

You can also unplug that center switch and your head will come on that is what I had to do but you have a great idea thank you

Thank you so much this definitely works! I have heat now!