How to Replace a 1994 Ford Escort Heater Core

A clogged heater core in the Ford Escort will not only prevent the cabin from heating up, but it can also cause the car to overheat. Overheating ultimately leads to other problems, and left unattended, the repairs can become quite expensive such as head gasket failure. As soon as you know there is an issue, you need to replace the heater core. There is no need to spend a lot of money at an auto repair shop however. This is a project that you can do yourself in about three or four hours.

Instructions

Removal

1

Make sure the engine is completely cool before starting to prevent any burns. Disconnect the negative battery cable using a wrench to loosen the terminal nut. Open the valve on the bottom of the radiator with a wrench and drain the coolant into a drain pan. Properly recycle the fluid at an approved recycling center.

2

Disconnect the heater hoses at the firewall using a screwdriver to loosen the clamps. Move to the inside of the car and remove the instrument panel starting by removing the instrument cluster using a screwdriver. Unfasten the glove compartment hinges with a screwdriver and remove the glove compartment from the dash.

3

Unfasten the air bag module retainers if your car has air bags. Pull the air bag module from the instrument panel and unplug the wiring harness. Handle live air bag modules carefully when you remove them from the Escort. Remove the hood release cable from the lower trim panel of the dash using a wrench.

4

Pry out the dash panels using the screwdriver, taking care not to damage them. Remove the lower trim side panels from the dash using the screwdriver. Remove the screws from the steering column cover and pull it away from the column. Unplug the light switch resistor and the fog lamp wiring harnesses.

5

Remove the climate control assembly using a screwdriver. Push the clip on the ashtray and pull it out. Remove the center instrument panel finish screws using a screwdriver. Unplug the electrical connectors to the radio, cigarette lighter and the antenna. Remove the shift console using the screwdriver.

6

Remove the side cover pins from the left and right control boxes and remove the covers. Slide the air bag monitor from the mounting bracket. Unplug the air bag diagnostic wiring harness. Remove the bolts attaching the instrument panel to the floor pan using a wrench. Remove the bolts from the upper and lower dash mounts using a wrench.

7

Remove the mounting bolts that attach the dash panel to the cowl using a wrench. Pull the instrument panel forward and disconnect the heating and AC ducts using the screwdriver. Unplug the heater and AC wiring harnesses. Remove the instrument panel from the Escort.

8

Disconnect the temperature control cables and clips from the heater/AC unit. Remove the three mounting nuts from the heater unit using a wrench. Pull the heater unit from the Escort. Remove the insulator and brace from the heater unit. Remove the heater core from the unit.

Installation

9

Install the new heater core into the heater unit. Install the insulator and brace. Tighten the screws with the screwdriver. Put the heater unit in the Ford and tighten the three mounting nuts with a wrench. Connect the temperature control cables and retainer clips to the heater/AC unit.

10

Line the instrument panel up close to the original location and line up the wiring harnesses to where they need to be. Have an assistant help you to plug the wires into their respective plugs. Connect the air ducts and secure it with the screwdriver. Connect the instrument panel to the cowl and tighten the bolts with a wrench.

11

Install the bolts for the upper and lower dash mounts. Tighten the bolts with the wrench. Plug the air bag diagnostics wiring harness into the plug. Install the bolts that mount the instrument panel to the floor pan and tighten them with the wrench. Slide the air bag monitor onto the mounting bracket.

12

Place the covers on the left and right control boxes and install the side cover pins. Install the shift console and tighten the screws with the screwdriver. Plug the electrical connectors for the radio, antenna and cigarette lighter into the wiring harnesses. Install the instrument panel finish screws and tighten them with the screwdriver.

13

Install the ashtray and slide it back until it clips into place. Install the climate control assembly and tighten it with the screwdriver. Plug in the light switch resistor and the fog lamp wiring harness. Install the steering column cover and tighten the screws with the screwdriver. Install the lower trim side panels and tighten the screws with a screwdriver.

14

Snap the side dash panels into place on the sides of the instrument panel. Install the hood release cable on the lower trim panel and tighten the bolts with a wrench. Install the air bag module into the instrument panel and plug in the wiring harness. Install the air bag module retainers.

15

Install the glove box and secure the hinges with the screwdriver. Move to the engine compartment and connect the heater hoses to the heater core. Tighten the hose clamps with the screwdriver. Make sure the radiator valve is closed. Refill the radiator and the reservoir with fresh engine coolant.

16

Connect the negative battery cable and tighten the terminal nut with a wrench. Start the Escort and check the car thoroughly for leaking.