hifiguru

Hello, I am a new member and I am glad to see there is an active forum community for the Grand Marquis and it's siblings. I have a 2008 Grand Marquis that appears to have a bad air door actuator. I have pulled the airbag and vent to the point that I can get to one of the screws but I cannot reach the other three. I have seen how others have made tools to get to the other bolts on older models but I cannot see how I could make something work on mine. Does anyone have any recommendations on how to get this out or am I better to remove the dash.

On removing the dash does anyone know of a step by step procedure on how to do this. I have located the top bolts but I reluctant to just start pulling things apart without a better plan

Thanks

Bert

It's best to remove the instrument panel. Here's some information and pictures on the heater core, which is about the same. Ford Crown Victoria Heater Core Pictures

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Bert

hifiguru

Thanks Bert, that will help a lot. These pics give me a much better understanding of the parts involved than any manula I have seen.

I have the top part of the dash loose but I am still hunting for all of the attachment points to get it loose. Do you have any other recomendations?

Thanks
Andrew

Bert

TDrop the steering column down. The small bolts on the top below that trim, there are 2 on the drivers side, one hidden behind the vent. You can get it from below with a universal socket. 2 on the left side below the ashtray. One at the right kick panel. I just pull the dash back enough to remove the heater plenum. I can do one in about 3 hours but I've done it a lot with our fleet through the years. The plenum should be pulled back too. I know of some guys that just break the 3rd bolt against the firewall and just bolt it in with 2 screws. Get a manual for the procedure. Your library may have one.

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Bert

hifiguru

This is looking much easier. I have been able to get the dash loose so I can get the front two bolts, but it still needs to come back further to get to the rear. It may be a long night, I really can't take tomorrow off to finish so and I am already knee deep, but at leaset I see a light at the end of the tunnel.

If I loosen the plenum from the firewall to give better access to the rear screws is it going to have much play before I have to remove the hoses?

Bert

If I remember correctly, the heater hoses have to be removed for it to come out far enough.

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Bert

hifiguru

Success!! Thanks for all of your help Bert. I ended up breaking off the old actuator to get it out and then trimmed the back connector to slip in under the back screw. I ended up not needing to drop the steering wheel as I had just enough play in the dash to squeeze in and get it done.

I am not sure that I would wish anything too bad on whoever designed this actuator, but I sure might be willing to shove it somewhere

Bert

Glad you got done. Thanks for the update.

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Bert