How to bypass the.. err.. bypass valve?

[Captain Ledd]

1997 Ranger, 2.3L with A/C.

On the heater hoses to the cab it looks like there is a valve that will re-route hot engine coolant back to the engine. I need to know how to force it to do this. Yes, the vacuum line is hooked up.

My blend door is broke (stuck on the "surface of the sun" setting), but before I could just turn everything off and be fine. Now it's pushing oppressively hot air through all the time. I seriously thought it was going to burn my leg during the 15 minute drive to work.

 

[srteach]

the vacuum hose goes to a vacuum operated valve which operates a lever. That lever operates the bypass. if you have a vacuum leak, that valve will never go closed loop, which is what cuts off hot water to the cab. Find the vacuum leak to get the system back to correct operation. The leak could be inside the cab, under the glove box or (most likely) under the hood.
Alternatively, use a zip tie to pull the lever closed. The lever is usually underneath the valve body.