Ford Fiesta car heating not working, any ideas please?

[bingobango]

Thanks for looking in. The heating in my Fiesta has stopped working. I had inconsistent trouble with it a few months ago, only once or twice where the opposite happened, it would only pump hot air and not cool down (despite turning temp knob right down to coolest, and driving for 20 mins or so). Then later it seemed to be ok again selecting either hot or cold.

Now I have the trouble that it won't warm up. I wondered if the temperature dial was actually doing anything so I took the back off (the small dashboard section where the dials are) to check that it was turning the control on the small circuit board behind the dial (which it is). I'm not a car mechanic but do like to learn and try to do it myself (saving and learning at the same time :) ). Does anyone have an idea what it might be and if it's easy to fix please?

Many thanks.

[trigger_mike]

Maybe heater maxtrix has gone?, does the car leak in water? or does the thermostat need changing?

[fannyadams]

Check the water/coolant level in your radiator header tank and top up with twice boiled or distilled water.
I have a fiesta and this is the first indication that the water level is dropped in the rad.
I also had a VW Polo that did the same trick.
HTH

[ArsenalFC]

Heater matrix or the radiator is gone. Is there a leak from the radiator at all? Or does the temperature gauge gone above half way mark?

[bingobango]

Thanks trigger_mike, fannyadams and ArsenalFC.

The temperature gauge sits at around half way (will double check this but am sure when I looked it was half way).
Will check the water/coolant level in the radiator header tank (with help from my manual to locate it LOL! ;) )

Will look into the matrix too. Thank you for all the fast replies :beer: , much appreciated. Will let you guys know how I get on with it.

[rsvtoddy]

My money's on a faulty thermostat (after you've checked the water level)!

[mr_accountant]

i seem to remember a similar problems on a lot of small ford on www.honestjohn.co.uk (http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/) it was something called the 'water valve' which may be faulty. I recall it was around £40 from ford and took around 1hour to fit.

If i was you id go to the honestjohn website and post your query there too. Its in the technical section of the forum

[bingobango]

Have checked the water/coolant level in the radiator header tank and it's sitting happily between the min and max lines. Can't see and haven't noticed any water leaks.

Thanks mr_accountant, i managed to find a link on there, people talking of flushing the matrix, bleeding the system etc.

As much as I like to do things myself I think I might end up popping it into the garage to get them to have a look (not money saving I know, or doing it myself, but I am pretty limited on my car knowledge and don't want to start bleeding wrong things and so on).

Thank you all for your advice and help. Will keep you informed what happens.

[djl]

what I do is call my local ford dealer first for advice then try to sort it cheaper than there £65.00 per hour:eek: :eek: :eek:

[mr_accountant]

Have checked the water/coolant level in the radiator header tank and it's sitting happily between the min and max lines. Can't see and haven't noticed any water leaks.

Thanks mr_accountant, i managed to find a link on there, people talking of flushing the matrix, bleeding the system etc.

As much as I like to do things myself I think I might end up popping it into the garage to get them to have a look (not money saving I know, or doing it myself, but I am pretty limited on my car knowledge and don't want to start bleeding wrong things and so on).

Thank you all for your advice and help. Will keep you informed what happens.

why not post this query on their forum, then you will identify the problem, then buy the part from ford and take it to a mechanic to fit, it will be much cheaper than taking it to fraud.

In the first instance post on honestjohn

[kaya]

many older cars required bleeding, with the engine COLD and the radiator filler cap removed turn the heater controlls as you would for maximum heat and run the engine for a few minuites before replacing the filler cap, if you have an airlock in the system this should clear it

[bingobango]

why not post this query on their forum, then you will identify the problem, then buy the part from ford and take it to a mechanic to fit, it will be much cheaper than taking it to fraud.

In the first instance post on honestjohn

Thanks mr_accountant. Just found same spec car with exactly the same problem in exactly the same order on honest john. Looks like it is the heater control valve. Reckon I am capable of that so will see if I can pick one up. For info, link is below:

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=40471

Noticed that the original poster didn't reply as to if they got it fixed. Once I've had a go I'll drop a reply on here (and on hj too for others who get this prob), although it won't be straight away that I have a look at it. It's not snowing though thankfully!!!

Cheers Kaya for airlock idea.

[mr_accountant]

Before buying the part asks them, they are experts, and then if the consensus is the water valve you can proceed. Worst thing to do on a car is to buy a part then find it’s not the problem?

Many of the posts here may be correct and i may be wrong, so best to ask the pros and then decide on the balance of probabilities whether something need replacing or not.

[Quinny]

When I had a Fiesta, (Many many moons ago!!!!!!) the heater matrix packed up,and resulted in me replacing it.Not an easy job I can tell you,but saved me a packet,and resulted in nice warm toes.

And by the way,I got mine from a scrapyard,and took the risk on a second hand one,but the gamble paid off.

[bingobango]

thanks for advice all :beer:

got it working in the end. it was the heater valve. got a haynes manual £13 of whsmith delivered to store (no postage!), got part for £20 of internet, just fitted it (took a while, couldn't remove the scuttle board as some of the screws weren't wanting to unscrew despite them turning, mangaed to get a few out to loosen it enough). Didn't lose too much coolant in the process as had some bungs handy to bung the pipes and valve itself.

Hardest part was loosening and tightening the pipe clamps, kept slipping and twisting out of the pliers!!!

Took just over an hour. Little test drive after, temp gage happy at half way, hot air and cold air blowing happily :cool:

Cheers!

[mr_accountant]

Great well done!!

Nice to know often cars are customer friendly and what a great feeling when the task is completed. Oh yes not forgetting what a great site this is!

[Garf]

I too had this issue. I ordered the Heater Control Valve from Ford Parts uk (www.fordpartsuk.com) brand new and delivered and £15 cheaper than the local Ford Dealer.

ITs a common issue with Fiestas 97 onwards. I joined the Zetec S owners club (www.zsoc.com) and there was plenty of support and cheap parts there for Fiestas 97 +

[mikehorton_2]

if the water system is full to the correct level, and the water temp gauge is in the normal position the most likely cause of your problem is the heater control valve,
these valves fail on a regular basis, i would recommend changing the resistor as well ( the small circuit board you have already indentfeid behind the heater control.
the valve assy is £16.89 and the resistor assy £6.58 + vat of cause.

[anewman]

Is there definitely antifreeze in the system? WIth the cold weather recently if water froze in the system it may damage it.

[goldspanners]

Is there definitely antifreeze in the system? WIth the cold weather recently if water froze in the system it may damage it.


if your not sure either get an antifreeze tester, or just drain off some of the existing coolant and top up with un diluted anti freeze.

[Keith]

Is there definitely antifreeze in the system? WIth the cold weather recently if water froze in the system it may damage it.

But the OPs Heater Control Valve failed 18 months ago in the summer ;)

Ford are still changing the Heater Control Valve design, when I changed out Ka's for the 3rd time in September, the part number had again been revised.

[Glee]

I've got the same problem absolutely no heating in a wee 1997 Fiesta Diesel. so I'm going to get the valve but I fancy doing the job myself...
Does anyone know where I can pick up a Haynes manual for cheap...?

[Keith]

You can photocopy the page at the Library :)

It's simple, you remove the plastic at the back of the engine bay, using mole grips release the pipes from either side of the heater valve, place new valve in place of old valve and reconnect the pipes. Refit the plastic covers.

You'll need some coolant as you will lose some and of course do it with a cold engine.

[Glee]

Might just pay the Library a wee visit tomorrow for the first time in many a year...
I actually wouldn't mind replacing all the coolant so I might drain the lot save me hassle with pipe clamps...

Thanks for the help

[Keith]

No need to clamp anything it won't spill much, but it's a good time to do the often neglected coolant change

[mikeef]

Can anyone tell me where to locate the heater control valve on a 05 plate fiesta 1.4tdci van. My heater comes on for the first 10 minute in the morning and then instantly turns cold. :mad: Occasionally it comes back on. I dont adjust the control, just sit there and hope for some heat, especially the last couple of weeks!! Brrrrrrrr

[Atombomb]

Hi all from Sarajevo,

My Fiesta is heating constantly. Even if I turn on AC on COLD position.

Advise please.

[Keith]

AC or heater dial?

[wardega1985]

hi all, i was just wondering if could help me with my heater problem, i own a ford fiesta zetec(1997) and up untill a few months ago was working fine. my problem is that my heater doesn't turn on at all. at firat it used to turn of when i put it on the higest setting and now it just dont come on no matter what setting it is on. i am really hoping it is just a simple fuse so if any1 could help that would be great

[jimdog]

hi all, i was just wondering if could help me with my heater problem, i own a ford fiesta zetec(1997) and up untill a few months ago was working fine. my problem is that my heater doesn't turn on at all. at firat it used to turn of when i put it on the higest setting and now it just dont come on no matter what setting it is on. i am really hoping it is just a simple fuse so if any1 could help that would be great
It'll be that darn heater valve - retails at around £26.44 plus VAT from Fords.

[jimdog]

Correction - £26.55 plus VAT :D

[harrisff125]

Today has been a succesful day for myself and ill explain why.. at the end of my passage.

I've had many problems with ford fiesta zetec 1.25s i used to have (my old car) a black one 2000 W reg.. which gave me experience of most of the problems and how to fix them.. from heating not working at all, heating not being hot, heating bein hot only, lights (internal/ext), cam belt, dial troubles, thermostat, tires, tracking, wing mirrors to door locks, clutch and suspension.

granted i dont know about what alot of other deeper mechanical problems are (im not a mechanic, but i have a good imagaination of what these could be and understand how awkward to resolve so much that a garage may well have to do it for me. i.e the engine having to come out)

but..
i can now confidently maintain/repair a ff zetec 1.25 and i can give it a great life until it inhevitably dies one day. we got a good deal goin in our time together lol. also i'll never be skanked by a garage or company on one. (my new car btw is a silver ff zetec 1.25 51 plate)

(anyway back to my old car) head gasket went on it neway when i knew nothin really about cars and i was screwin of course lol i did pay like 300-400 quid to get it done.. but the fact of the matter, is it should have never got that bad to have gone on my own accord.. there were signs i should have reacted to but never and i didnt take it to a garage until it was too late. :confused:

the process of the head gasket goin was i had a water leak(basic, quite common problem) which lead to the radiator not working (which was the reason for the car not being able to stay cool and lead to the engine overheating) also this was why i had no hot air from my fans) and basically i kept drivin like a dick, filling it up etc and i ended up driving to a work night do and on the way back the next day (good night) i drove back and the engine overheated and was bone dry etc probably had little oil and then eventually the head gasket went when i was driving one day.

looking back yes all i had to do was a little bit of car maintenance and have awareness of the possible and current problems, i used to have awareness but do nothin about it really, until i got sick of paying so much for garage work. i still have awareness of problems but now i know how to act and what needs to be done and what could be leading to the problem.

Now i have a 51 plate zetec 1.25 as mentioned above and had no problems with it really other than the usual lights going out etc.. so its been fine... however last night i was at morrisons gettin cash out and i noticed steam coming out the front of the bonnet, which is what occured with my w reg fiesta.. one of them signs i didn't take too seriously lol.

Neway this time i took action because about 10 mins after noticing the steam i noticed my thermostat had gone almost all the way up and the car was overheating (yes i should have noticed this straight away but i never until i was driving up a dual carriageway. I opened the bonnet to hear water hissing n sizzling off heated parts of the car, but i couldnt identify where the water was dripping/ leaking from, but it was from somewhere(lmao). Then i did notice i had NO water in my coolant lmao. so i was like damn. so last night i continued to drive but for short periods only and let my car completely cool down until i drove it again. Yes i did fill it with distilled water and check that i had enough water (between min/max) thing is after 5 minutes of driving my water had completely gone and wen i looked into the coolant it was visible only at the very bottom. so before each journey i filled up.

I woke up this morning to find i had no water in my coolant again, when it was fine when i left my car the night before. I looked under my bonnet and checked for where that water leak that i couldnt see last night was actually coming from.

Well, there are two pipes connected from the engine leading to the heat control valve under the bottom of the windscreen. the one on the right out of the two pipes (if you were looking in the perspective of infront of the bonnet looking towards the vehicle) was entirely disconnected from the hole visible to where it should be connected lol. :rotfl:

neway i investigated into the problem and how to fix it and yes i found that (from advice from someone who works at halfords) i need a new heater control valve. which is basically a 4 way valve.

I got it from (Heater Control Valve) SUREPARTS for £25, great company they even had my ISO connector for my head unit and punto rear wiper blades lol. :j

Well i went on to replace this heat control valve stumbling amongst problems such as having difficulty with the pipe grips which keep the pipes tightened to the valves, hand space in getting the wires connected/disconnected and whilst getting the original heater control valve out i had to snap the valve outlets (3 of them) which remained broken off in the pipes.. (if your wandering about the 4th thats the one which had already snapped off when i noticed my pipe not leading anywhere lol) then i had to get these snapped off plastic valves out so i could reconnect the pipes to the new heater control valve. Neway today i completed this task and filled up my water to a normal level.. and i thought right moment of truth in 5 mins after starting to drive my car.. to see if the thermostat would read halfway and to see if the fans could supply me with warm heat. neway after 5 mins my thermostat was all over the place going up and down according to my driving and speed. but success i had warm heat.

when I got to my destination and noticed i had no water in my coolant, I let my car cool down then i filled up and watched the water level decrease and i was empty again. so I kept filling up and went for a drive. Obviously i had lost alot of water from the overall system from that day or maybe two, three, four or more days of lack of water. so i kept filling it up basically and now i drive and the water has stopped going down and the thermostat reads half way. well i call that a revive :)

All this time my mother and girlfriend were booking me into a garage for next tuesday.. when i insisted i would save money.. (but nooo im not capable :\ ) if i went to a garage im guessing i would get a bill of like 70-80

breakdown of 35 for the part, 30 labour and the reast VAT
or something so i saved a good 35, 50 quid tops.

I thought i would take some time to post this today since it might help someone one day and the thread is like 3 years old lol i noticed there was a 9 month gap from the last message from this other guys post!

so today (7/11/09) has been succesful because..
I repaired my water leak and cured the heat from my fans and stopped the enginge from overheating URAAA!

I just feel sorry for my old car, oh well.. :T

Harris

[goldspanners]

when I got to my destination and noticed i had no water in my coolant, I let my car cool down then i filled up and watched the water level decrease and i was empty again. so I kept filling up and went for a drive. Obviously i had lost alot of water from the overall system from that day or maybe two, three, four or more days of lack of water. so i kept filling it up basically and now i drive and the water has stopped going down and the thermostat reads half way. well i call that a revive :)



now you should get some of that water out (approx half of it) and then top it back up with antifreeze. you dont want anymore leaks.

[gm3suz]

I had similar problems with my T registered Ford Fiesta, heater was on all the time and then after a few months it seemed to die and I was left with no heating in the car. I took the advice of someone on a similar forum and changed the heater control valve and it was great, heating was back on. I went up to the hospital to visit a sick friend, a 20 minute drive and the heatin was great. An hour later on my way home the heating would not come on, it had failed once more and that is nearly a year ago, I survived most of the winter without heating but I just cannot face another winter in the cold. Can anyone suggest what may have happened, please, and how to fix it ?
TIA, Dan

[Premier]

Usual cause of heater failure, especially if you've just drained the water, is an air lock to the heater matrix.
Ensuring that isn't the cause is where I would first start.