'94 Ford Taurus GL - does it have a heater valve / heater tap?

1994 Ford Taurus GL Wagon, 3.0L V6 regular engine (not flex fuel or SHO):

A heater hose broke, I'm replacing it, but I'm also trying to understand how my heater is working. I see that I have a heater bypass hose, so theoretically there could be a valve somewhere that cuts off flow throught the heater core, for example at full A/C. However, I can't find any indication that such a valve actually exists in my car. Could someone shed some light on this mystery? Why would I need a bypass route if the heater core is always on?

A brief explanation of what I gathered: Hot water exits the engine block and is then split into three possible routes: Radiator, heater core, and heater core bypass, as follows: If the engine is cold, the thermostat cuts the radiator off, so water can only go through the heater core or the bypass, giving first heat to the passenger compartment. If, however, the heater core is also cut off by a heater valve (electric, manual, or vacuum actuated), the water is circulated through the bypass only. Rather than halting all flow, a bypass eliminates hot spots while the engine warms up until full flow is enabled through the radiator.

So once again, in my understanding one needs a heater valve and a bypass, or neither, in which case the heater is always hot (but airflow is diverted past it if cool air is desired). Does my car have a heater valve? Where is it located?

Thanks!

Reply to
Sebastian O.
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No water by pass valve on the heater core. There is a actuator door in the heater plenum that shunts air around the heater core to control the temperature of the heat.

Now there is a cold engine lock out switch on the electronic climate control taurus. This sensor for this T's into the heater core line. It prevents heater operation if the coolant is below 120 degrees F.

Bob

Reply to
BOB URZ

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