No cockpit heat and a weird VIOLENT vibration...

Fweezal · 12-17-2021, 02:46 AM

Just picked up our '06 Windsport. On our two hour trip back from the dealership, we had no heat coming from the dash. Fan works, air flow direction knob worked. But, NO heat.

Annnnnnd, when accelerating/decelerating, the rig seems to get to a certain level and then then shakes violently. At first I thought it was a bad strut/shock. But, it only occurs when I SLIGHTLY touch the gas or easy off the gas for a bit.

I'm thinking a popped vacuum hose off the tranny or possibly a modulator. And, the lack of dash heat sort of makes me think the two are related.

Any suggestions as to where to start to look?

ducksface · 12-17-2021, 02:53 AM

I'll guess ujoint, center carrier for a vibration like that.
Take it to a shop. Have them go over it.

Violet vibration hit a chord(ha!)with me
I had to look it up
Yup. The crap I know....

Fweezal · 12-17-2021, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ducksface

I'll guess ujoint, center carrier for a vibration like that.

Violet vibration hit a chord(ha!)with me
I had to look it up
Yup. The crap I know....

Would't a u-joint be a constant vibration and produce a knocking sound?

ducksface · 12-17-2021, 03:07 AM

No.
It'll catch and hold on a throttle push and uncatch and reverse hold upon letting off the throttle.
A loose ujoint isn't out of round, it just allows slop which shows up on acceleration and deceleration as a clunk when it hits a stop. If it has to fight to find 'round' it'll vibrate until it finds home and seats.

Harmonics.

Fweezal · 12-17-2021, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ducksface

No.
It'll catch and hold on a throttle push and uncatch and reverse hold upon letting off the throttle.
A loose ujoint isn't out of round, it just allows slop which shows up on acceleration and deceleration as a clunk when it hits a stop. If it has to fight to find 'round' it'll vibrate until it finds home and seats.

Harmonics.

Hmmmph! And, would you estimate the cost of such a repair? Ballpark is fine.

ducksface · 12-17-2021, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fweezal

Hmmmph! And, would you estimate the cost of such a repair? Ballpark is fine.

$500ish
Just a guess.
It might be just a loose cap.
That'd be just the joint at $45 and an hour labor.
But
Let someone else take a guess.
If its a backlash in the rear end problem, You're in for $1,000's.

It really doesn't matter.
The shop will diagnose.

Fweezal · 12-17-2021, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ducksface

$500ish
Just a guess.
It might be just a loose cap.
That'd be just the joint at $45 and an hour labor.
But
Let someone else take a guess.
If its a backlash in the rear end problem, You're in for $1,000's.

It really doesn't matter.
The shop will diagnose.

Never thought I'd say, "I hope it's the U-joint."! Many thanks.

HarryS · 12-17-2021, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fweezal

.

I'm thinking a popped vacuum hose off the tranny or possibly a modulator. And, the lack of dash heat sort of makes me think the two are related.

Any suggestions as to where to start to look?

No vacuum or modulators on that year Ford chassis transmission. It's all electronic for shifting.

There is a valve up front that controls hot coolant into the heater core. If it's stuck closed, then no heat, won't matter the position of the controls inside.

Chateau_Nomad · 12-17-2021, 05:47 AM

About 10 years ago I was cruising on a freeway in my Jeep Wrangler when the drive shaft disconnect at the front u-joint. What a sickening feeling... the engine revved like I had just shifted into neutral. Fortunately, it didn't do any other damage... As I recall it wasn't a "break the bank" repair.

Fweezal · 12-17-2021, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

About 10 years ago I was cruising on a freeway in my Jeep Wrangler when the drive shaft disconnect at the front u-joint. What a sickening feeling... the engine revved like I had just shifted into neutral. Fortunately, it didn't do any other damage... As I recall it wasn't a "break the bank" repair.

Good to know. I can deal with ~$500.

ducksface · 12-17-2021, 02:20 PM

As an rv owner you need to be able to handle $5,000, anytime, multiple times.
That fridge goes out and you're deep.
Labor at $165 an hour is not unheard of.

You've 100 miles or so on the rv and you're already in close to $1,000...if You're lucky.
I don't know where/how that ac control is but it's $12 for a knob up to $1,200+ labor.

I'm not trying to be financially scary.
It is financially scary.

Potential owners take heed:
This is not a budget friendly hobby.

Travelin' Texans · 12-17-2021, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ducksface

As an rv owner you need to be able to handle $5,000, anytime, multiple times.
That fridge goes out and you're deep.
Labor at $165 an hour is not unheard of.

You've 300 miles or so on the rv and you're already in close to $1,000...if You're lucky.
I don't know where/how that ac control is but it's $12 for a knob up to $1,200+ labor.

I'm not trying to he financially scary.
It is financially scary.

Also as an RV owner you better be somewhat of a handyman with tools, basic knowledge of 12 & 120 volt electrical, plumbing, automotive repair skills & not afraid to get your hands dirty. The guy that has to take it to the shop for every loose piece of trim or screw may want to rethink rv ownership or have VERY deep pockets & lots of patience.

Fweezal · 12-17-2021, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ducksface

As an rv owner you need to be able to handle $5,000, anytime, multiple times.
That fridge goes out and you're deep.
Labor at $165 an hour is not unheard of.

You've 100 miles or so on the rv and you're already in close to $1,000...if You're lucky.
I don't know where/how that ac control is but it's $12 for a knob up to $1,200+ labor.

I'm not trying to be financially scary.
It is financially scary.

Potential owners take heed:
This is not a budget friendly hobby.

#13
Fweezal
Junior Member

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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: WindSport 36Z
State: Kentucky
Posts: 16
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Geeeeeeeeeez... and I thought photography was expensive.

Fweezal · 12-17-2021, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Travelin' Texans

Also as an RV owner you better be somewhat of a handyman with tools, basic knowledge of 12 & 120 volt electrical, plumbing, automotive repair skills & not afraid to get your hands dirty. The guy that has to take it to the shop for every loose piece of trim or screw may want to rethink rv ownership or have VERY deep pockets & lots of patience.

Oh, I can handle quite a bit of the stuff like voltages, plumbing, and I'm not afraid to get under the hood. BUT, U-joint? At 75, that's where I draw the line.

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