most of these door systems are vacuum controlled...but a pencil or object stuck internally can also be the cause, and not often easy to fix...for the vacuum system you can find specs and routing at the local library... check all the vacuum lines on the engine, and listen for vacuum hissing under the dash...good luck..:)
the middle vents only supply air from the ac unit using a separate in dash fan. the floor and defrost vents come only from the heater
the ducts can not be hooked up for the vents to work
When there is a problem with the vent system it dfaults to the defrost setting. Sounds like you have a problem in the doors that direct the air flow.
Because the air selector died.
When you switch the control to direct air through the dash vents, the HVAC system redirects airflow away from the defrost vents. The system uses a series of blend doors to control airflow direction, and if the defrost setting is not activated, those doors remain closed, preventing air from flowing through the defrost vents. Therefore, air is channeled exclusively to the dash vents instead.
The issue with the dash vents not working in your 1999 Mercury Sable, while the floor and defrost vents function properly, is likely due to a malfunctioning blend door or a problem with the HVAC control system. The blend door controls the airflow direction, and if it is stuck or damaged, it may prevent air from reaching the dash vents. Additionally, there could be a vacuum leak affecting the actuator that directs airflow. It's advisable to have a professional inspect the HVAC system to diagnose and fix the issue.
Acutator is a small vacuum powered motor used to open and close diverter to direct air either to defrost, floor, or vents
Air flow is controlled by plastic doors which are controlled by vacume motors. Could be they're stuck, or a vacume leak.
This is a very common problem and you need to check for a vacuum leak, broken vacuum line or a loose vacuum line......
when it happened to mine, it was because the arm behind the dash that controls the internal vent doors slipped off
The year, make and model info would help. Also need to know if the blower motor is working, just not getting any heat, or not changing function between defrost, dash or floor vents.
Grand Marquis are designed and wired so that the VAC door fails and will even cause engine not to start due to wires be connected together under dash.