Yes you can - most of the work then is done from just above the gas pedal. You'll also be using a 5/16ths ratchet / socket versus a nut driver.
But I can tell you from experience, it's a whole lot easier for someone not very good at being a contortionist to work through the radio opening.
The Blend Door actuator on the Ford Windstar can be found by removing the glovebox. A broken blend door actuator is almost as common as a broken blend door itself. Typically, the fix requires disassembling the entire dash and replacing the whole plenum box, which can be a costly repair. Linked here is a video from www.heatertreater.net demonstrating how to access components of the plenum box for repair without disassembling the entire dash. heatertreater.net/Windstar%20Video.html This details the best DIY option on how to replace a broken blend door or actuator.
The most common problem with heat and a/c in the Ford Windstar is Blend Door failure. The Blend Door actuator on the Ford Windstar can be found by removing the glovebox. A broken blend door actuator is almost as common as a broken blend door itself. Typically, the fix requires disassembling the entire dash and replacing the whole plenum box, which can be a costly repair. Linked here is a video from www.heatertreater.net demonstrating how to access components of the plenum box for repair without disassembling the entire dash.
If you are having heater/air conditioning issues in your Ford Windstar, the first thing to check should be the blend door. Broken blend doors are the main cause of heating issues in this vehicle. The Blend Door actuator on the Ford Windstar can be found by removing the glovebox. A broken blend door actuator is almost as common as a broken blend door itself. Typically, the fix requires disassembling the entire dash and replacing the whole plenum box, which can be a costly repair. Linked here is a video from www.heatertreater.net demonstrating how to access components of the plenum box for repair without disassembling the entire dash
Start by figuring out exactly what's wrong with it. Without knowing more about the condition or the symptoms, there's no way to tell if the problem is with the power supply, actuator, linkages, key tumbler, etc.
Before replacing the thermostat or any other component of the Windstar's HVAC system, be sure to check your blend door for functionality FIRST. The most common issue with heat or A/C in the late model Ford windstar is a broken blend door. A broken blend door actuator is almost as common as a broken blend door itself. Typically, the fix requires disassembling the entire dash and replacing the whole plenum box, which can be a costly repair. Linked here is a video from www.heatertreater.net demonstrating how to access components of the plenum box for repair without disassembling the entire dash. http://www.heatertreater.net/Windstar%20Video.html This details the best DIY option on how to replace a broken blend door or actuator, accessing the plenum box by removing the glove box rather than the entire dash.
A common problem is that the blend door actuator or the blend door itself will break. The blend door actuator is just a small motor that opens a vent to allow the warm air to flow, it is cheap and fairly easy to replace with a radio removal tool. A professional could do the repair in less than 15 minutes. See "Related Questions" below for more information on the actuator motor repairs many others have done. However, on my 1999 Ford Windstar, the blend door itself broke. This repair is more costly and more difficult, perhaps $700 to $1000 to replace. I just tied a shoestring to my blend door. When you insert the blend door actuator if there is no slot for it the door is broken and you are up sh... creak. Hope it is the former. Another option is from a company called HeaterTreater - a method to repair a broken blend door without removing the dash. I haven't tried it, but the ideas behind it seem to make sense - and they have lots of videos showing the processes. http://www.heatertreater.net/Windstar%20Listing.html
Yes, it is.
Before replacing the thermostat, it is worth checking to see if the blend door is broken or the blend door actuator is failing. The most common issue relating to thermostat and climate control in Ford Windstar vans is the blend door. CHECK TO SEE IF IT IS BROKEN BEFORE REPLACING OTHER COMPONENTS (i.e. Thermostat, heater core, etc.). The Blend Door actuator on the Ford Windstar can be found by removing the glovebox. A broken blend door actuator is almost as common as a broken blend door itself. Typically, the fix requires disassembling the entire dash and replacing the whole plenum box, which can be a costly repair. Linked here is a video from www.heatertreater.net demonstrating how to access components of the plenum box for repair without disassembling the entire dash.
This happened to my 95 Windstar-I just replaces the fuse for the air mixture door. On my 1999 Ford Windstar, the blend door itself broke. This repair is more costly and more difficult, perhaps $700 to $1000 to replace. I just tied a shoestring to my blend door. When you insert the blend door actuator if there is no slot for it the door is broken and you are up sh... creak. Hope it is the former. Another option is from a company called HeaterTreater - a method to repair a broken blend door without removing the dash. I haven't tried it, but the ideas behind it seem to make sense - and they have lots of videos showing the processes. http://www.heatertreater.net/Windstar%20Listing.html
The most common issue with heat or A/C in the late model Ford windstar is a broken blend door. A broken blend door actuator is almost as common as a broken blend door itself. Typically, the fix requires disassembling the entire dash and replacing the whole plenum box, which can be a costly repair. Linked here is a video from www.heatertreater.net demonstrating how to access components of the plenum box for repair without disassembling the entire dash.
Before replacing the thermostat or any other component of the Windstar's HVAC system, be sure to check your blend door for functionality FIRST. The most common issue with heat or A/C in the late model Ford windstar is a broken blend door. A broken blend door actuator is almost as common as a broken blend door itself. Typically, the fix requires disassembling the entire dash and replacing the whole plenum box, which can be a costly repair. demonstrating how to access components of the plenum box for repair without disassembling the entire dash.
Before replacing the thermostat or any other component of the Windstar's HVAC system, be sure to check your blend door for functionality FIRST. The most common issue with heat or A/C in the late model Ford windstar is a broken blend door. A broken blend door actuator is almost as common as a broken blend door itself. Typically, the fix requires disassembling the entire dash and replacing the whole plenum box, which can be a costly repair. Linked here is a video from www.heatertreater.net demonstrating how to access components of the plenum box for repair without disassembling the entire dash. http://www.heatertreater.net/Windstar%20Video.html This details the best DIY option on how to replace a broken blend door or actuator, accessing the plenum box by removing the glove box rather than the entire dash.