The blower directions seem to be all over the place on my Focus (mk3 titanium x estate). I bought the car second hand last year and I first noticed it over winter when my feet weren't getting any warm air despite the blowers being set to feet only.

I did a bit of research and thought a likely cause was the blend door actuator (part 19E616). I unscrewed it but left it plugged in and cycled through the settings (face, feet, windscreen etc) and the amount the spikey shaft moves is really inconsistent. eg press face and it'll turn a bit, turn it off and it'll turn back, press face again and it'll go to a different position than before. I can't work out a pattern to it!

I swapped the actuator for the matching one below that does the temp control/max defrost and that actuator behaved the same way when plugged in. I also opened both up and there's no damage to any of the gears and their little plastic teeth. So I'm convinced the actuators themselves are fine.

I ran the diagnostics by holding down power and feet buttons for 2 seconds, and then pressing auto. It returns fault code 9086 which is "fault in circuit of actuator for air distribution flap", though I don't know if this was there before my tinkering or whether it's been thrown by me moving actuators around. From what I've read I need to do Pinpoint test G, but we're edging closer to the limits of my capabilities (mechanically I'm ok but electronics aren't my thing).

Any advice? I was hoping there was a simple reset or recalibration process I could go through but I can't really find anything online.

Additionally, the a/c isn't working, in so much as no cold air is blown into the cabin. I can hear the system engage when the button is pressed. I'm not sure if this is related at all, or a separate issue and just needs regassing.

Thanks.

32 minutes ago, nibnob21 said:

Additionally, the a/c isn't working, in so much as no cold air is blown into the cabin. I can hear the system engage when the button is pressed. I'm not sure if this is related at all, or a separate issue and just needs regassing.

 

Technically, the A/C is a sealed system so if it needs 'gassed', the gas has leaked somewhere. Could be very minor and just an errant seal, in which case a regas will not only charge system, but also lubricate it as well so will help for future use. Plenty of garage chains like KwikFit will do a pressure test and regas for not very much money (£50 or so), with a money back guarantee that if they can't get the system to improve by a pre set temperature, you pay nothing.

You'll be looking to get nice chilled air between 4c - 6c.

Yeah I've been meaning to get the a/c seen to but I wasn't 100% sure if it was linked to the other problem so I'd been holding off for the time being. I didn't want to spend money on the a/c to find it's absolutely fine and just a dodgy blower system not letting the cool air in to circulate. Unlikely but it was the thought that crossed my mind. It would probably benefit from getting the once over anyway as I've not touched it since buying the car so I probably need to just suck it up and crack on. I'd normally avoid KwikFit but I have heard for a/c they're actually a fairly decent place to go to.

5 minutes ago, nibnob21 said:

..I'd normally avoid KwikFit but I have heard for a/c they're actually a fairly decent place to go to.

Like any 'service' offer, you'll get people who think they're great, and people who will tell you horror stories. But like I said, at the end of the day, you pay nothing if it doesn't work, so worth doing in my opinion. I have used them for 3 different cars, all good. 2 x worked, one I got a refund.

Good luck with your other issue.

Had mine done at ATS recently, in the T+C's it states as system test will be run and if proven faulty your fee refunded so basically a free check.

Did a bit more investigating on the a/c front yesterday evening. Battery voltage when running is 14.3-14.4. Dropped by about 0.1 when loaded with max fans and headlights on. So no issues on that front.

No obvious signs of damage or leaks on the visible pipework. Impossible to see the condenser though, which can often be a failure point.

The compressor clutch engages when the a/c is switched on but the thick aluminium pipes aren't going cold. Surely a pressure override should disengage the compressor if there's no refrigerant?

52 minutes ago, nibnob21 said:

 

No obvious signs of damage or leaks on the visible pipework. Impossible to see the condenser though, which can often be a failure point.

 

You are right that the condenser is often hard to see, but one of the most common areas for a fault as it's in such a vulnerable position. I couldn't 'see' anything wrong with mine, but luckily my A/C guy who has been doing this for 30 odd years instantly diagnosed it. I'm not sure too if you'd ever 'see' a pinprick hole in the pipework, in the past, my guy has added a dye into the refrigerant, which fluoresces on the pipework should it leak out.

Car's going in for a/c inspection and recharge today so we'll see what comes of that. Fingers crossed it's as simple as a recharge but I'm expecting there to be something that needs replacing.

For the other issue with the blowers I took the battery out and fully charged it and refitted. The blowers seemed to correct themselves which is promising, only for them to go skew-whiff again. There's a reasonable delay from pressing the button and the actuator moving into position (never a problem with older vehicles where it's cable operated!) and I wonder whether the system gets thrown out if you select another position before it's settled on the first one you've asked for. That seems to be what happened anyway but I'm yet to test this theory properly. I'll do another battery reset and see what happens.