Lots of reasons, but the most common is a broken blend door. This door regulates whether air is diverted through the heater core or not. When it breaks, it can block air flow and cause a loss of heat(or AC, depending on the position it fails in). Check heatertreater.net for diagnostic and repair information.
because it's a 1997 ford explorer
Do a Google search on Ford Explorer blend door , there are lots of articles and some videos
Check HeaterTreater.net for information on the Explorer HVAC system.
When working on a car, it is important to have a diagram on hand. A diagram for a 1997 Ford Explorer Engine can be found in the maintenance manual.
There is also a electic control moter on top of your hear inside your cab controls your heat check and see if that is working ,that is what i found out that was wrong with mine
Check the thermostat, also there could be a heater core issue...
I just bought my heater core for my 1997 Ford Explorer 4x4 Sport for $60.00(Plus Tax) but I was surfing the web and found that you can order it in line with SPI or STANT from $29.00 to 32.00 plus shipping. Good Luck
I'm not a mechanic / technician but I was looking at fordparts.com and comparing the heater cores for the 1996 Ford Explorer and the 2000 Ford Explorer and they show the same part number ( so apparently the answer would be YES )
where is the heater control valve for a 1997 ford expedition
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Instualation of a heater core on a 1999 Ford Explorer V6, how do you install the heater core.
On a 1997 Ford Explorer : ( the electric fuel pump is INSIDE the fuel tank )