Focus Mk1 Aircon

Focus Mk1 Aircon

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RJP001

Original Poster:

1,126 posts

150 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
Good morning all,

My 2002 Focus has developed a fault with the air-conditioning system. I am wondering if anyone is aware of the typical culprit (if there is one) for the following symptoms.

On first start, the aircon functions perfectly normally for at least five to ten minutes of driving. The aircon will then cease to produce cool air, however the fans will continue to operate as if the system was still producing cold air.

If the car is shut down and started a short time later, the system will again produce cold air and repeat the process above.

The aircon button does not flash like I have read it should do when an error is detected.

I had the system gassed at the start of the year and it remained fully functional up until about 5 months in where it began to exhibit the above symptoms.

Is there a specific component known to fail and cause the above or is it likely to be something more complex?

Regards,

lemonslap

962 posts

155 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
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Is the radiator fan coming on? I had a weird fault with mine and only found the issue while replacing the reversing light switch! The wiring harness had dropped from the fuse box mounting bracket allowing the gearbox counterweight to rub through about 5 wires! I was lucky it didn't go up in flames, repaired the wires and now have ice cold AC.

RJP001

Original Poster:

1,126 posts

150 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
Hi,

I could check that. I do know that the wiring near the turbocharger has been repaired once before judging by the gaffer tape around it!

The fans disengage if I switch the AC off if that makes any difference?

lemonslap

962 posts

155 months

Friday 19th September 2014
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I was asking about the fan's coming on, as without them operating the system will freeze up and cause the symptoms described.

IanCress

4,409 posts

166 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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Do you have climate control (digital temp readout rather than the simple dial)?

Reason I ask is that I have a similar (but opposite) problem, in that the climate control works fine for a while, before the temperature starts to drop. Even set on 28C on a cool day it will still pump out cold air, until you set it to 'HI', when it will blast out hot air.

I'm guessing it's the temp sensor for the cliimate control, but could do with a way of testing it.