I have a 97 Mercury Mountaineer. This past winter, whenever I turned my air conditioner/vent/heater on it blew hot air, no matter where the temp control was set. I just took it in and the mechanic had the air conditioner charged and changed the switch that controls what vents the air is going to come out of i.e. floor, defrost, outside vent etc. After that I could get cold air on the max air setting but all the other settings still blow hot air. Even the ones that would normally blow cold air.

What should we check now. The Ford dealership said they think it is the entire air/vent/heat control system and it would cost $600.00. Is there a name for this part? I would like to check the junk yards if I do have to get this part.

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Pam Johnson, July 2005

It is called a compressor and yes you can find them way cheaper at junk yards, but I would suggest also checking out stuff on-line as well. You can get some compressors for about as low as $150-$300.00 depending on if the part is available of course.
Good luck!

Dee, August 2005

600 would include the man hours most likely parts are never really that expensive but if they have to take the engine appart its long and costly cuz they caharge like 50-60 an hour!

AJ, July 2005