Heater/AC controls stiff - Need help with a fix.

[alvald83]

I have '69 w/factory air. The heater control is really stiff and somtimes will not move at all. How can i repair this?

[Montana71-F100]

I had and still have the same problem. I don't have A/C but the lever for adjusting the heat-defrost control was cracked because of excess pressure. Before it broke I decided to take it apart and weld the crack. After removing the cables I found that the control levers moved very easily so I knew the problem was in the cables. I used WD 40 and a silicon spray and let it dribble between the cable wire and housing and moved the wire in and out of the housing until they seemed pretty loose. After putting everything back together it was better but not great. I think the pressure caused by bending the cables to where they go makes them stiff. I keep my control on defrost so I don't have to move it much. When I do move it, I found that pushing the lever in while moving it helps.

[amishbuggy]

If it's your temp control I would make sure to lube up the cable in the engine compartment and maybe disconnect it at the valve and try the valve by hand to make sure it turns freely.

[70_F100]

Check this diagram: http://www.fordification.com/tech/image ... -incab.jpg

I've got an NOS C8TZ 18552-C cable (I'm pretty sure it goes to the blend door) for a decent price, if you're interested.

[Montana71-F100]

I tried moving my heater/defrost control today and they are somewhat stiff but work way better than they did before I removed the cables and lubricated them as mentioned in my previous post. I would highly recommend lubricating the cables with WD-40 or silicone lubricant or better yet, graphite if you can get it in the cables.

[fitzwell]

PITA, but pull the cables and soak 'em in some mineral spirits for a day or so. Pull em out & operate the cables, flushing with WD-40 to get all the funk out. Lube with some proper cable lubricant & call it done.

[1971ford]

pull the control assembly out and slide the levers so it exposes as much cable as it can, and check for any super slight bend. Any bend at all and it will be harder to move the slider. Then soak in something like mentioned.

90% of the time the cable inside the liner will be bent from pushing hard.

[thorn1968]

Same issue here, not with the temp, but with the blend. Works fine when the control unit is out of the dash, but when it's in I can't move the lever! I'm guessing it's got to do with a kink or bend in the cable. Does anyone know how to properly route the cables?

[fordman]

the conrtol cable just loops around from the control to the box arm. one thing i have seen happen is when the cable sits on the arms of the box they can turn the corner on the arm and slide down the arm a little. that may interfear with the cable operation.

[thorn1968]

the conrtol cable just loops around from the control to the box arm. one thing i have seen happen is when the cable sits on the arms of the box they can turn the corner on the arm and slide down the arm a little. that may interfear with the cable operation.

Thanks! I'll have to check that, and try the mineral spirits and lube trick if that doesn't work.