Focus engine fan - always on

[pstruck]

My wifes 03 Focus 1.6 Zetec seems to always have its engine colling fan running. It starts a few seconds after starting the engine even from cold and stays on.

Surely this isn't right?

What might be the problem and how can I correct it?

[MrP80]

Do have the heater fan direction set to Windscreen only? If you do and you have aircon fitted the aircon is always on, even if the A/C light isn't on. Changing the blower direction to something else should change this

[pstruck]

Is that right? Yes she does have the fan set to the windscreen only most of the time. So if the aircon is switched off it is actually on?!

Does the engine fan run then when A/C is on?

[chris_w666]

The A/C on the focus sounds very much like the engine fan, in fact most ford units sound the same. Best to try and run them without the A/C and then make a judgement.

[MrP80]

pstruck said:

Is that right? Yes she does have the fan set to the windscreen only most of the time. So if the aircon is switched off it is actually on?!

Does the engine fan run then when A/C is on?

Yep it's a feature of the Focus, the thinking is if you are trying to clear the screen you will want the dry airconditioned air blowing on to it. It makes sense, but it's annoying as it's not obvious (it should make a mention of it in the manual somewhere).

To stop it either blow away from the screen, I think it's only if you are 100% on the screen it happens, so a bit away should sort it.

If you want to get a bit DIY, you can remove the feature and make the A/C 100% manual. Completely reversible...

Method1: Slide out the radio then you can see a connector (it's not obvious unless you know what you are looking for) in the middle just below the bracket for the radio. Get a thin bladed screwdriver, lift the clip and slide it back.

If it's not obvious there is a more time consuming way, that is a little easier to see the steps.
Method2: Make sure you have a record of the radio code, remove radio and disconnect.
Then take out the 4 screws in the facia that you can now see (previously hidden by radio)
Pull the entire fascia panel forwards against the clips and it will come out. Be careful not to break any of the cabling behind the cigarette lighter as they can snag.
You can now see the three dial controls for the heating
The Centre one has a single pair of wires which is a switch to tell the ECU that you have picked front screen.
There are some mechanical black cables coming from the switch, just remove the connector from between them. Removing this leaves the switch open.
Do the reverse to put the facia back, job done.

[pstruck]

Good info - will probably carry out this minor modification.

Having moved the fan position away from screen only, so that the A/C if off, I still hear what I assume is the engine fan cut in shortly after starting (even from cold). Needs further investigation on my part when it is light and dry outside!

[DennisTheMenace]

Could be the same as me mx-5 , engine temp sensor for the ECU , if it fails as a fail safe the cooling fan will run constantly .

[pstruck]

Update. I think it was infact the A/C as it now seems to have stopped as I have positioned the fan just away from the full screen setting. Will disconnect the plug which means it is on when on screen (as described above).

Thanks for the info.