Heater is not working!

Tiny
FRANKIE420
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 FORD FOCUS
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 119,000 MILES
Here's what I know about the problem:

-The heating/ac system isn't working on any blower setting (1, 2, 3, or 4)

-After the car warms up when I drive fast warm air will leak out eventually warming the car slightly.

-The fuse is blown for the heating/ac system, replaced fuse, blew when I turned on the car.

-Replaced the Blower Motor Switch, didn't work.

It's getting to be winter and I'd like to figure this out and maybe fix it myself before the snow flies. My girlfriend (it's her car) and I appreciate any help. Thanks for the help!
Friday, October 29th, 2010 AT 8:47 AM

15 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
If your blowing fuses, then you either have a short or a component drawing too much current and you will have to isolate what's causing the fuse to blow. This guide can help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-heater-not-working

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Friday, October 29th, 2010 AT 11:52 AM
Tiny
SRDJ2428
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 FORD FOCUS
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 93,000 MILES
Hello. I have a 2001 Ford Focus SE and lately I have been having a problem with my heater not staying warm. If I am idling the heater gets warm and the temperature gage is right in the middle. However, as soon as I start driving again, the needle falls to cold and the air coming out is cool. But again if I stop and let it idle again, the heater warms and I get warm air. I would truly appreciate any advice that you may be able to give.

Thank you!
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Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 AT 4:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RENAUDTN
  • MECHANIC
  • 636 POSTS
Start by making sure your level of coolant is right; if not add some. If adding coolant doesn't make a difference, replace the thermostat and let me know if it fixes the problem.
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Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 AT 4:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE BULLOCK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 FORD FOCUS
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 113,000 MILES
Does the heater in this car have a reputation of low heat output or does does the lack of heat mean there is a problem?
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Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 AT 4:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RENAUDTN
  • MECHANIC
  • 636 POSTS
Hello,
Usually a lack of heat indicates one of the following problems:
-Low coolant (check the level)
-thermostat stuck open (when it happens your engine takes a very long time to reach normal operating temperature)
-clogged heater core (check the two small rubber hoses connected to it thru the firewall with engine at normal temp; one will be very hot, the other will be significantly colder. If both are very hot then you're fine).
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+1
Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 AT 4:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRINASWAIN2011
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 FORD FOCUS
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
Hi I started my car this morning turn the heat on and it was working for awhile then the heat just shut-off and now there is no signs of heat coming out at all as well as cold air either
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Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 AT 4:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
Normally one would expect a thermostat, but with engine at temp, quickly touch the heater core hoses. If one is hot and one cold then heater core is blocked. If both are cold then thermostat.
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Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 AT 4:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EVILEE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD FOCUS
My heater doesn't blow out hot air what's up?
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Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 AT 4:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,383 POSTS
SYSTEM TESTS
BLOWER MOTOR DOES NOT OPERATE
Check fuse No. 64 (30-amp) in Battery Junction Box (BJB), located in left rear corner of engine compartment. If fuse is blown, replace fuse. If fuse blows again, repair short to ground in Green/Orange wire between fuse No. 64 (30-amp) in BJB and terminal No. 1 of heater blower motor. If fuse is okay, go to next step.
Turn ignition off. Disconnect blower motor harness connector. Turn ignition on. Measure voltage between ground and terminal No. 1 (Green/Orange wire) of blower motor harness connector. If battery voltage exists, go to next step. If battery voltage does not exist, repair short to ground in Green/Orange wire between fuse No. 64 (30-amp) in BJB and heater blower motor.
Turn ignition off. Measure resistance between ground and terminal No. 2 (Black/Red wire) of blower motor. If resistance is 5 ohms or less, replace heater blower motor. See BLOWER MOTOR under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. If resistance is more than 5 ohms, go to next step.
Disconnect blower switch. Measure resistance between terminal No. 2 (Black/Red wire) of heater blower motor harness connector and terminal No. 4 (Black/Orange wire) of heater blower switch harness connector. If resistance is 5 ohms or less, go to next step. If resistance is more than 5 ohms, repair open in wire between blower motor and blower motor switch.
Measure resistance between ground and terminal No. 6 (Black wire) of blower switch. If resistance is 5 ohms or less, replace blower motor switch. If resistance is more than 5 ohms, repair open between blower motor switch and ground (located at left "A" pillar).
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+4
Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 AT 4:55 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SAPPLET1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD FOCUS
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 155,555 MILES
Only cold air is comming out. The fan is working fine. The engine temperature gauge is normal.
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Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 AT 4:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,383 POSTS
Check to see if heater core hoses are getting hot.2 hoses going through firewall into passenger compartment. If they're not. Your core is blocked and needs flushing/replacing
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Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 AT 4:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GNBGAILB
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 FORD FOCUS
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 157,000 MILES
I recently topped up my antifreeze, and find, the heater blows warm air while I am driving, but soon as I have to stop at lights, etc. The fan blows cold air. My air conditioner works and blows cold air.
I dont' see any signs of leaking fluids under the car, and have had no work done lately on my car
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Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 AT 4:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,383 POSTS
Check/replace the thermostat. Flush and refill coolant system and heater core. When refilling make sure no air gets trapped in the system. You may have a slight blockage in the system
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Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 AT 4:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROYBOY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD FOCUS
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 100,300 MILES
The heater in my Ford Focus is not working? What can I check before I start buying parts?
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Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 AT 4:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,133 POSTS
If the fan isn't running, check to make sure it is getting power. If it is, replace the motor. If there is no power, trace the wiring back through the resister, relay and to the switch to locate where the power is lost.
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Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 AT 4:56 PM (Merged)

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