What controls the vents in a 2002 Ford explorer?

My vents will not work in my explorer. It will defrost and it will blow out on the floor but it will not come out when you put it on vents. Are they controlled by vacuum lines?

They are vacuum controlled. It could be a loose or cracked hose on the intake or under the dash. Easiest method to locate the culprit is to use a spray can of starter fluid to spray the connectios with the engine idling. There will be a marked change in engine speed when you spray the right connection or hose itself. It's far more likely to be locatecd under the hood than under the dash unless you've recently had work done in that area.

Yes, they are vacuum controlled. Look around the master cylinder & there should be a pencil-sized vacuum hose going into the firewall.

Ford Explorer. Please capitalize both the brand and the model names of cars. These are proper names. Cars have parts. They are not "my vents" they are "the vents." This is a rather prosaic idiomatic expression that is, well, just not correct. "The vents on my Explorer do not work. The system will defrost and will blow out of the the floor but it will not come out on the vents. Are the vents controlled by vacuum lines?" A 2002 Ford Explorer and any vehicle manufactured is maintained by mechanics. There are trained technicians that have access to all sorts of information as to all brands and models of all years. If there's one super complex system in cars, it has to be the environmental ones, the heater and the AC. It is best to take this Explorer to such a technician for repairs. It could be something simple. There are controls and settings and who knows what else behind the dashboard. Go find a technician.

Just find new one!