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How to Replace HVAC Control Unit 1997-2004 Ford F-150

Created on: 2017-04-05

How to repair, install, fix, change or replace a bad or broken HVAC control panel on 98 Ford F150

  1. step 1 :Removing the HVAC Control Unit
    • Pry out the center dash trim by hand
    • Remove the three 5.5mm bolts from the air bag switch
    • Pull the trim off the air bag switch
    • Remove the four 7mm bolts from the HVAC control unit
    • Push in the radio tabs
    • Pull the radio forward
    • Pull out the HVAC unit
    • Disconnect the electrical connectors from the HVAC unit
    • Disconnect the vacuum lines from the HVAC unit
  2. step 2 :Installing the HVAC Unit
    • Connect the vacuum lines to the HVAC Unit
    • Connect the electrical connectors to the HVAC unit
    • Set the HVAC unit into place
    • Pop the radio into place
    • Insert the four 7mm bolts into the HVAC unit
    • Line up the airbag switch with the dash trim
    • Insert the three 5.5mm bolts for the airbag switch
    • Snap the dash trim into the dash

Tools needed

  • Socket Extensions

    5.5mm Socket

    7mm Socket

    Ratchet

Hi, I'm Mike from 1A Auto. We've been selling auto parts for over 30 years. We're dedicated to delivering quality auto parts, expert customer service, fast and free shipping, all backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. Visit us at 1AAuto.com, your trusted source for quality auto parts.

In this video, we're going to be working with our 1998 Ford F150. We're going to show you how to remove and replace your vehicle's HVAC control units, which are the blower switches underneath your radio. If you like this video, please click "subscribe." We have a ton more information on this and many other vehicles, and if you ever need parts for your truck, you can follow the link down in the description over to 1AAuto.com. Here are the items you'll need for this repair.

Put your fingers behind the center dash panel and pop it out toward you. Using a 5 1/2 millimeter socket, ratchet, and extension remove the three bolts securing the air bag switch for the dash panel. You could just hang this panel out of the way, but where it's air bag-related, it’s better safe than sorry. We'll remove the panel from that switch.

To remove the HVAC unit, you remove the four 7 millimeter screws around the perimeter with a 7 millimeter socket, ratchet, and extension. You may need to pull your radio forward a little for some clearance. Now, obviously, we have an aftermarket radio here in the dash, but to remove the factory one is pretty similar. On this one we're going to push down on the tabs at the top of this what's called dash kit, and pop the hooks out. On the factory radio there's some on the sides here that you can feel and push down. You should see there'll four holes in the front of the radio and that's where the pins sit. So you can either use the tool or a coat hanger to pull those out, or once you've got the dash out of the way you can feel back here, push them down, and slide it out the same way.

Then disconnect all of the connectors on the back of the unit. Be very careful with these ones because they are vacuum lines and you don't want to break or crack any because then your mode door is not going to function anymore. Lift up on the tab and remove the connector at the blower speed switch. Push down on the tab on this white connector to remove it. We'll lift up on the tab for the black connector behind that. Do the same thing with the red one over here. We'll pry out on the tabs and lift the vacuum manifold out. Take your time and be very careful not to break the vacuum lines or the manifold, otherwise you'll need to open up the dash and go through and replace all of these which is time consuming and unnecessary as long as you're careful removing them. You can then remove your HVAC control unit from the vehicle.

Reconnect all of the connectors in the vacuum manifold. You should just be able to pop all of these on. Set the control unit back into its slot in the dash, pop your radio back in. You can now reinstall your four 7 millimeter screws.

Reinstall the airbag switch for the passenger side. Kind of line up on its tabs there and reinstall the three 5 1/2 millimeter screws and tighten them down with your socket and ratchet. Line up the center dash panel. Simply snap it back into place

Thanks for watching. Visit us at 1AAuto.com for quality auto parts, fast and free shipping, and the best customer service in the industry.


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