I think the aircon in my wifes' 99 Focus 1.8 has finally given up. It was working OK about 3 weeks ago although not as powerful as when we first got the car but still perfectly usable. However today the aircon seems to have no effect at all.
I know very little about aircon, but I thought the failure due to the discharge of the gas would be very gradual, not pretty sudden like this, so I checked the fuses and relays etc and all seem OK (I even swapped in a known working relay). I can't see any damaged hoses or cracked pipes. From experience with another (2002) Focus I know if you switch the aircon on there is a noticable 'click' from the clutch on the aircon pump - no such noise on our car though!
My question is - is there a way to check the functioning of the aircon before I take it in for a recharge? I dont mind the £75 charge for this as long as this is the problem but I don't want to waste money on the wrong thing!
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There's a pressure switch with 2 wires going to it that lets the compressor start. It's either on the a/c pipe that runs across the bulkhead above the steering column, or it's on the large ally accumulator inside the OSF wing (remove the plastic liner). If you disconnect this, start the car and turn the a/c on. In one of the terminals in the plug, there should be 12 volts. If there isn't, then you have an electrical problem.
If you have 12 volts at this plug, then check for continuity across the switch. If no continuity, then either the switch is bad, or more likely there's no gas in the system to work the switch.
Come back and tell us what you find, then we can go from there.
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Thanks, I think I know the switch you mean. I'll check it out hopefully tomorrow and report back.
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I've checked the switch (on the bulkhead, in front of the brake servo) and its reading 13.7 volts when the aircon is on. When I connect a multimeter across to the switch I get nothing , so I guess with the age of the car this is most likely the pressure is too low to activate the switch?
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So you've got power, but no switching. Short the plug out and the compressor will turn on, run it for a short period and see if the pipe the switch is on gets cold (1 minute max). If it doesn't you've got no gas, if it does then run it for longer and see if you get proper a/c at the vents. If you get a/c you need a new switch. If the gas is gone, time to look for the leak I'm afraid.
Post back and we'll take it from there.
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Thanks, I'll try that and get back to you.
I assume if the switch is gone, I will need a recharge as well as removing the switch will mean draining the system?
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When I say short the plug out, I meant jumper it, as in join the 2 connections rather than short it to earth or anything.
If it is the switch, then I think it can be unscrewed as it should have a shreader valve underneath. I'll check for you.
I don't want to get your hopes up, but the chances of a dodgy switch are pretty slim!
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Shorted the plug out and ran the aircon - this time I can definitely hear the 'click' as the pump engages. However the pipe (and interior) remained about the same temparature.
Time for a recharge I guess. Is it likely I have a leak or is it normal for the system to discharge (the car is now 6 years old)
Can anyone recommend an aircon specialist in the Durham/Wearside area?
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Looks like you're out of gas then. As it's totally empty, go to someone with nitrogen to test for bog leaks first. I've only ever seen 2 focus's, and both had stone holes on the condensor, so were easy to spot with high pressure nitrogen. It's possible that natural leakage has occured, but in all honesty it doesn't normally happen that way.
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Thanks for your help - much appreciated!
I'll hunt around for a local specialist who can test and recharge the system
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6 years is far too long to go without a so called re-charge. Its not just that the gas may have leaked, (that causes no damage it just stops working). Much more important is the correct weight of oil in the system and also that there is no moisture present. Both of those can mean problems a lot worse than the £75 you've been quoted for a recharge.
A hole in the condensor is a very likely scenario and personally, because its 6 years old and the system may have been open to atmosphere, I would also have the receiver/dryer renewed at the same time.
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Well, I say six years because thats the age of the car - it was serviced by a Ford dealer until it was 4 1/2, but I bet they never checked it either!
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<<..... it was serviced by a Ford dealer until itwas 4 1/2, but I bet they never checked it either!
Cynic! In 20 years of owning Fords I have always had exemplary service from Ford dealerships.
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L\'escargot by name, but not by nature.
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You own your own dealership, right?
12 of us in my engineering team. all run Foci and Mondeo (no choice). All live around the country. All had problems with servicing at dealers.
Also, I see the output of dealers every day of my working life at the moment (warranty related). Wouldn't trust most of them to service a walking stick.
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You all know about my experience with a new lock from a Ford dealership who shall rename nameless.
Because of what happened, whether rightly or wrongly, I will never ever take a car of mine to have any work done whatsoever (even warranty) at a Ford dealer. Ever.
That includes the aircon which is stll working (touch wood) on my Focus.
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Adam
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I think the last straw with the local dealer (where I originally bought the car) was when they refused to replace a cracked oil filler cap on the car.
Now, they sold the car from new, serviced it from new and sold it 2nd hand to me with a 'full service'. I'd had it about three months when I decided to check the oil and found the cap was shattered (it had simply been overtightened).
After much arguing I basically paid the fiver to replace the cap one of their mechanics broke!
Having said that - the experiences with the 2 Focus's I've had would put me off buying another Ford again anyway. After 7 years of manufacturing Ford still haven't made the Focus waterproof!
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Off-topic I know, but just to give an alternative view: I've had a fantastic experience with 3 different Ford dealers around the country.
The first I bought a used Focus from and they replaced a lot of stuff under warranty in the first year: a headlight leaking water, a sun visor which broke and the windscreen washer switch which stopped working when the weather was warm(!) - every single one was done without even the slightest dispute. All parts were always in stock. They even cleaned the car inside and out when I brought it in for a routine annual service.
The second replaced the airbag controller which failed, under a third party warranty which was nothing to do with them. Again they were extremely efficient and helpful.
The third is always helpful and efficient and makes me coffee while they do the MOT. Slightly more expensive than a local independent where I had the MOT done before, but more pleasant and friendly.
Only one bad experience from a Ford dealer and they just never had the right parts for the job, got the wrong parts and often did a bad job.
And my Focus is totally waterproof...
Tim
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'And my Focus is totally waterproof...'
Park it with the passenger side higher than the drivers side (kerb height will do) and leave it in a decent rain shower.
I bet the water finds its way in then! Nice footwell full of water. I've learned to park the opposite way around.
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This might be one of those occasions when I won't say "I'll give it a try".
I don't think I've ever parked my Focus with the passenger side higher than the driver's side in the 3 years I've had the car.
Where does the water come in?
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Unfortunately where I park outside my house it exactly in that position, unless I turn the car the opposite direction to where I would normally put it.
Its a well known Focus fault - water comes in through the cowling covering the pollen filter. Theres lots of hints about how to solve it but ultimately its a design flaw and water finds its way there!
Fords TSB recommends drilling holes in the cowling in certain points - doesn't really inspire you does it!
I wouldn't recommend testing it out,it took a long time to dry out my passenger footwell after the last leak. Worth bearing in mind if you ever do park it in that position though.
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'And my Focus is totally waterproof...' Park it with the passenger side higher than the drivers side (kerb height will do) and leave it in a decent rain shower. I bet the water finds its way in then! Nice footwell full of water. I've learned to park the opposite way around.
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Two and a half years of parking, a V reg Ghia, with two wheels on the kerb either way round and not a drop of water inside.
Number plate lamps- now that is a problem.
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I know this if wandering off topic a bit but...
I've carried out the Ford TSBs regarding the water leak on two Focii, one 1999 and a 2002. The 1998 hasn't leaked since and 2002 leaks when parked the 'wrong' way. I've redone it twice and the car had it originally done by a Ford dealer but still the rain comes in....
I would say the build quality of the 2002 model is considerably worse than the earlier one!
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