Ford Focus AC / heater problems

AC / heater problem

4.0

definitely annoying

Typical Repair Cost:

$13.00

Average Mileage:

75,333 miles

Number of complaints:

3 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
  2. replace heater fan resistor (1 reports)

Helpful Websites About 2001 Ford Focus blower fan switch doesn't work on all settings

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

problem #3

2008Mar 24

Focus SE 2.0L Sohc

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles

Cabin fan only works on setting 4. From other posts it sounds like the fan resistor needs to be replaced.

Steve S.

Midlothian, VA, USA

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problem #2

2006Dec 11

(reported on)

Focus SE Wagon 2.0L I4

  • Manual transmission
  • 76,000 miles

I had a problem with my wife's 2001 Ford Focus. The heater fan would work but only in the highest (#4) position. The fan was off in the first three settings. After doing some research I discovered that one possible cause is a bad heater fan controller resistor. Additionally, the resistor can burn out as a result of blockage of the air intake for the climate control system.

Considering that I had just cleaned a small chipmunk's nest out of the inlet box the last time that I changed out the cabin air filter, I thought that this was the most likely problem. The cabin air intake is under the shroud between the hood and the windshield on the passenger side. There are three clips that are visible under the hood that need to be disengaged and two bullet clips that are hidden from view but can be located by two small circles on the surface of the plastic shroud. If your car is not equipped with a filter you can add one while cleaning the box by rooming the plastic screen in the box and replacing it with a pleated filter.

Changing the heater fan resistor is very easy and if you can change your oil you can most likely take on the job. The part (for my model # 3M5Z 18591 BA) is about $13 from a Ford dealership and a few dollars cheaper online.

The first thing is to remove the glove box by removing the three hex screws on the bottom of the hinge. Next three are three plastic clips that hold the kickcover on the area below the glove box. They are a little tricky to remove as they look like philips screws but do not back out when turned. The center needs to be removed with a small flat screwdriver and a pair of pliers then the outer ring can be removed.

The resistor is located to the left of the heater fan assembly. The unit is about 2 inches by 3 inches and mounted vertically. There is a single wiring clip attached with four wires running to the resistor assembly and a single philips screw holding the unit on. The reassembly is just a reverse of the disassembly.

The entire job with the cleaning of the air intake took me a little over one hour (half for the resistor and half for the air intake). The fan is working fine for now and I will give an update if there is any addition info.

Jim H.

Ballston Spa, NY, USA

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problem #1

2006Nov 21

(reported on)

Focus SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

My blower fan only works if it is on 4, hot or cold air. It is winter now, I either freeze or get overly hot. I need to keep turning the air on, getting warm and turning it off! It is a big pain in the a**! This has also happened to 2 of my parents Fords (a F150, taurus) in the past.

Jinelle B.

Derby, CT, USA

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