How to Change the Heater Core on the 1997 Ford F150
Changing the heater core in your 1997 Ford F-150 is a necessary procedure if the heater core begins to malfunction. Operating your A/C system with a faulty heater core may cause coolant to leak out into the cabin of the truck or smoke to pour out of the air vents. Replacing the heater core is an extensive project that will take upwards of four hours.
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Things You'll Need
- Socket wrench
- Drain pan
- Slotted screwdriver
- Philips screwdriver
- Magnetic tool
Instructions
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1
Open the hood of the F-150 and disconnect both the negative and positive cables from the battery.
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2
Place a drain under the radiator and loosen the drain plug. Allow the radiator fluids to drain into the drain pan. Tighten the drain plug.
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3
Use a slotted screwdriver to pry off the hood release handle and the parking brake handle. Remove the dash panel underneath the instrument cluster with the slotted screwdriver.
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4
Remove the lower steering cover by removing the six screws securing it with a Philips screwdriver.
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5
Remove the two bolts on each side panel with a socket wrench and lift off the side panels. Remove the two kick panels by removing their two bolts as well.
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6
Disconnect all three of the wiring harnesses underneath the steering column. Remove the four bolts holding the steering column to the dashboard and lower the column onto the seat.
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7
Open the glove box. Release the two door stops from the glove box and pull it off the dashboard.
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8
Take out the passenger's air bag by removing the three screws securing it to the dashboard and disconnect its electrical connctor.
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9
Remove the four right-hand assist handle screws on the lower part of the right-side of the dash with a Philips screwdriver.
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10
Uninstall the bolt below and to the left of the glove box. Remove the two bolts above the instrument panel. Remove the two bolts holding in the instrument panel. Reach behind it and disconnect its wiring harness. Pull the instrument panel out of the vehicle. Lift the dashboard off the vehicle and remove it from the F-150.
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11
Push in on the holding tabs of the heater core hoses and remove them by pulling them off.
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12
Remove the single screw securing the A/C adapter and disconnect it.
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13
Pull off the vacuum line and remove the heater core cover by removing its two screws. You now have access to the heater core. Remove the four 7mm bolts securing the heater core to the vehicle and lift it out. Place a new heater core into the vehicle and reattach the cover and the hoses. Reassemble the dashboard and reconnect the battery. Pour the radiator fluids from the drain pan back into the radiator.
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Tips & Warnings
The dashboard is very heavy so you may need assistance lifting it out.
Be certain that you have disconnected the battery before beginning. The air bags may go off if you did not.
References
- Photo Credit IT Stock Free/Polka Dot/Getty Images
