Fan only blows on max setting

[ninebob]

My grandparents have an R plate Fiesta (1.25 zetec IIRC but not sure).

The heater blower does not operate on positions 1 and 2 but it works perfectly on the maximum setting.

I have very limited knowledge of car bit and pieces so if anyone can give me a clue before I take it apart..........?

 

[Jimmyjaffa]

Hi it sounds like the resister has gone,knowing ford it is more likley to be near the fan blower but not sure,you need to have a look about,hope this helps,jim.

 

[ninebob]

Yes, I heard it was a resistor when I had the same problem on my own car and asked on another (Citroen) forum. I never got round to sorting it though and no longer have the car.

Does anyone know on a Fiesta where this resistor is, and where I might source one and go about replacing it? My instinct was to take the dash panel off and look directly behind the switch, which will hopefully be correct on a ford, but having driven citroens myself I've found that lesson #1 is that car electrics can be more fiddly and un-intuitive than you could ever dream of....

P.S. Phoned to check and grandparents car is definitely a 1.25 Zetec.

 

[Jimmyjaffa]

Hi im working on a mk4 fiesta 1.25 for my mate and will have a nose about tomorrow for ya if thats helps you out, i'll get back to you tomorrow, jim.

 

[Diyisfun]

You can get the part from a Ford spares outlet, they may have to order it, should be a next day delivery. I had the same prob on my Mondeo. I think the resistor was tucked up behind the dash.

 

[keyplayer]

It's to be found in the nearside footwell, beneath and to the right of glovebox (on RHDs) . Instant access, its the plug with the 4 wires.

 

[ninebob]

Cheers guys!

So where do I get this part from? Is it main dealer only or can I get it cheaper elsewhere?

Also, how do I replace it? My only experience of resistors is from my schooldays soldering them onto PCBs, I fear that if I tried to do this nowadays I'd make a wrong move with the soldering iron and s*d up the whole lot!

 

[Diyisfun]

You can try a car spares, but chances are it will be Ford Dealer. Why not get the part No from Ford & then browse the net. I think replacement is just a plug in jobbie.

 

[keyplayer]

I bodged an Audi one once, as the owner was a real tightwad, and the unit probably was worth more than the car. Inside the unit there are three resistors of various ratings for positions 1-3 (pos.4 is direct circuit) all of which are then routed through a single diode, the failure of which results in resisted circuits failing. By soldering a wire either side of the diode, I effectively bypassed it. As your blower works on full this is probably your problem too. I don't recommend bypassing the diode, you could get a new one in Maplins dead cheap and solder it in if you can really be arrsed. Don't know what a new Ford one costs, but if Grannies paying I know what I'd go for. Never done a Zetec but I believe it's only held in by a single screw(might be 2) 5 minutes tops.

 

[2scoops0406]

For replacement parts on cars of this age approx 8 years, you'd be better off going to your local junk, er I mean, car recycling place, lots of these places now specialise in certain makes of car. Could save yourselves a fortune.