I was on a long trip in my MK3 Focus 1.0 estate the other day, during which I realised that increasing the interior ventilation fan speed wasn’t increasing the amount of air coming of the dash vents. I stopped the car and could hear that the fan was working and getting louder/quieter as the speed was adjusted, but next to no air was coming out of the vents. Instead, all the fan noise seemed to be coming from behind the centre console, where the pollen filter is. When I put my hand down there I could feel air coming out. Turning the HVAC off and on made no difference, not did stopping and restarting the engine. 

I vowed to investigate further but when I drove the car the next day, the problem was gone. 
 

Does anyone have an idea about what might have happened? 
 

Thanks. 

does it have a manual or electric flap unit ????? Fords are known for sticky flaps haha

You might have a family of rodent who have moved in, RENT FREE may i add!!! 😉

3 hours ago, Jimpster said:

does it have a manual or electric flap unit ????? Fords are known for sticky flaps haha

So there’s a flap that completely blocks the vent system? Make sense I suppose, to stop air being forced in by the motion of the car when not wanted. Mine must be electrically operated by the climate control. Anyone know anything about fixing/replacing if and when it fails again? 

1 hour ago, ElCani said:

So there’s a flap that completely blocks the vent system? Make sense I suppose, to stop air being forced in by the motion of the car when not wanted. Mine must be electrically operated by the climate control. Anyone know anything about fixing/replacing if and when it fails again? 

the flap is there to direct air to the specified outlet, screen, feet, face, if it was a focus i'd say get your hand in and force it