Ford Fiesta Saloon - Ford Fiesta (2001) - air temp uncontrollable

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Thu 29 Jul 2010 09:36
Ford Fiesta Saloon - Ford Fiesta (2001) - air temp uncontrollable - belc76

I have a Ford Fiesta Freestyle 1.6 Y reg (2001).

When the engine is started from cold and the air circulation / blowers or air con (it happens the same for both) is on cold and stays there, there is no problem with the temperature in the car.

However, if the engine is already warm, or the temperature is turned up for longer than a few minutes, the air that comes into the car is piping hot and will not get any cooler. This remains a problem if you turn them off as there is still some air coming into the car.

When I bought the car (4 years ago) this was an intermittent problem. I had several people look at it but the fault was not located. However, it now occurs all the time (added to which I am trying to sell the car).

Has anyone else had this problem? If it was just happening with the air conditioning I would assume it was due to maintenance (or lack thereof) of the system.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 29 Jul 2010 09:49
Ford Fiesta Saloon - Ford Fiesta (2001) - air temp uncontrollable - Collos25

I assume the car runs ok ,then it looks like one of the heater valves is playing up which one and where it is located I wouldn't know

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 29 Jul 2010 16:44
Ford Fiesta Saloon - Ford Fiesta (2001) - air temp uncontrollable - Reentrant

The Fiesta's heater control valve is notoriously unreliable. I've changed it twice on my wife's Mk 4 model. It's pulse-driven from the controller so I'm not sure how to test it, but in your case it may just be sticking rather than failed completely.

It sits at the top middle of the engine-bay bulkhead and is easily accessible. Fitting a new one takes about 15 minutes, and as it's high up you don't lose much coolant - there's no real need to drain down.

Edited by Reentrant on 29/07/2010 at 16:45

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....