What's preventing my car's heater and A/C from working properly?

I just bought a used car and I noticed that the heater blows warm air but not hot and the a/c blows cool air but not cold. I left it running for quite a while so the engine had plently of time to heat up. The car is a 2001 Ford Taurus. I'm thinking it might be the thermostat. Any other suggestions? I made sure there's antifreeze in the engine.

What's preventing my car's heater and A/C from working properly?
Like Paul said... check the blend operation... would explain both issues.





- Good Luck!
Reply:could be you need a new thermostat or if thats not it a heater core
Reply:Have the blend door operation checked...it's purpose is to blend or restrict hot or cool air through the ductwork and if it's bad, it will not allow full heat or cooling.
Reply:Probably is a thermostat that is stuck open as far as heat is concerned. Does it have a temp gage? Normal operating temperature on the gage after the car is warmed up should read just below the middle mark on the gage. A much lesser reading on the gage is most likely a stuck thermostat and it should be replaced.





The wrong mix of anti-freeze in a car can cause the car to run too cool. The rule of thumb when adding coolant is 50% water per 50% coolant. Most auto parts stores sell it pre-mixed that way now. I always recommend buying it pre-mixed... it just avoids the issues that can happen like in your case.





BUT... The AC not getting very cold is not related to the thermostat at all but it could need some freon added to the AC system. Also known as a: AC recharge.
Reply:You may have a two fold situation here. You already mentioned the thermostat. The second is that your blend door may be half open causing the air to flow both to the heater core and evaporator core. First, after the care is warmed up check both hoses to the heater core if both are warm or hot to the touch then the thermostat is working. Next, check and see if you are getting enough vacuum to the blend door. The main vacuum line running to the control head is located in the engine compartment on the passenger side. What you are looking for is a plastic line coming out of the fire wall. Make sure you have a good connection. After that it will become more difficult - the blend door you are looking for is behind the control head and radio. check and see if that vacuum module is operating properly. good luck