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Ford Focus 2002 - Heater resistor keeps failing #

Posted by Nick Favell on November 19, 2014, 4:14 pm

Year of Manufacture *: 2002

Got a strange one here.

Fitted a new heater (genuine Ford) resistor to a 2002 Focus in January 2014. Straight forward job, no problem.

April, customer popped back in - fan only works on speed 4. Got another one out from our local Ford dealer, fitted, and then parts cost refunded under warranty.

November, I've had to do it for a 3rd time!
Now I'm not concerned at the moment about the labour as it is a very quick job to do. I know I will get the parts cost back again from Ford.

But if it fails again in 3 or 4 or 6 months, it will be out of the Ford warranty, but it looks like very poor quality parts being supplied by Ford. And it's making me look a prat.

Am I missing something? the fan operates nice and quietly, all connections are clean. Is there something causing this to fail that is not obvious? or am I being blind?

Any thoughts please.

Re: Ford Focus - heater resistor keeps failing

Posted by Dave Harney <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=UKAT2603' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 19, 2014, 4:26 pm, in reply to "Ford Focus - heater resistor keeps failing"
Dave Harney

Hi Nick,
Does it have a pollen filter that may be blocked or another restriction in the air intake ?

Kind regards
Dave

You can trim a sheeps wool many times, but you can only fleece it once !

Re: Ford Focus - heater resistor keeps failing

Posted by Graham Bullock <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=UKAT2744' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 19, 2014, 4:26 pm, in reply to "Ford Focus - heater resistor keeps failing"
Graham Bullock

In two cases I have had similar happen over the years, one was caused by a tight motor bearing/bush due to water/corrosion which resulted in the motor drawing excessive current that blew the resistor after getting it red hot. The other was caused by a badly blocked cabin pollen filter resulting in hardly any air flow to cool the resistor, again it had been red hot.

Graham

Re: Ford Focus - heater resistor keeps failing

Posted by Nick Favell <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=ukat3407' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 19, 2014, 4:56 pm, in reply to "Re: Ford Focus - heater resistor keeps failing"
Nicholas Favell

Thanks for the replies

I've just double checked, there was some leaf debris in the pollen filter, but not too bad. I've removed the pollen filter anyway to see how it does.

Re: Ford Focus - heater resistor keeps failing

Posted by Tom Williams <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=UKAT5478' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 19, 2014, 7:33 pm, in reply to "Ford Focus - heater resistor keeps failing"
Thomas Williams

I seem to remember water ingress causing problems on these. The plastic plenum covers were often re-installed badly, leaving a gap along the screen edge.

Re: Ford Focus - heater resistor keeps failing

Posted by Peter Keverne <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=UKAT2835' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 19, 2014, 7:41 pm, in reply to "Re: Ford Focus - heater resistor keeps failing"
Peter Keverne

hi
have to agree with graham, i think that if you replace motor all will be ok.
I think on vw if when replacing resistor pack you don't replace motor they will not allow warranty claim, i might add that this could be just in our area.

peter

Re: Ford Focus - heater resistor keeps failing

Posted by Alan Lange <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=ukat3293' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 19, 2014, 8:03 pm, in reply to "Re: Ford Focus - heater resistor keeps failing"
Alan Lange

Hello Nick, there is a protection diode fitted on these. If this is blown (it almost certainly will be) the motor is drawing to much current.

Re: Ford Focus - heater resistor keeps failing

Posted by Trevor <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=ukat3499' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 19, 2014, 8:39 pm, in reply to "Re: Ford Focus - heater resistor keeps failing"
Trevor Kelleher

How many amps is the motor drawing from the battery?

Re: Ford Focus - heater resistor keeps failing

Posted by Mark Carter <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=UKAT1428' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 19, 2014, 9:17 pm, in reply to "Re: Ford Focus - heater resistor keeps failing"

As above, throw an Amps clamp over the motor and confirm the current flow.

Compare with the wattage rating of the motor and you will probably have your answer.

Mark

Modern cars, Its all wizardry and witchcraft

Re: Ford Focus - heater resistor keeps failing

Posted by Nick Favell <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=ukat3407' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 20, 2014, 8:39 am, in reply to "Re: Ford Focus - heater resistor keeps failing"
Nicholas Favell

Thanks for the further replies

The customer has the car back now, but I will book it in and check the amps draw on the heater motor.
I will update when that is done.

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