Fuse box on old Ford Focus

Buttonmoons

Hiya, I got a 1999 Ford Focus 1.8 in December 13 - Since I've had it -

Brake pads and discs needed done (fine standard)
New tyres (a given)
2 new doors (cause I crashed oops)
and the kicker - the engine bolt fell out whilst I was driving out of a petrol station :eek: which wrecked the drive shaft and loads of other things....

Anyhoo - This car is a calamity :rotfl:or I am But the reversing light is out, and not sure for how long, could of been since I got it, it's hard to see it yourself - I took it to Halfords and after a painstaking 1hour wait, it wasn't the bulb and she told me it's probably the fusebox.

My grandad had a look and he knows how to change the fuse and whatnot but we cannot find the fuse box?! I don't have the manual telling me where it is either, we assumed it would be behind the glove box but doesn't appear there is another panel there, or a way of opening it further to expose a fuse area? I dont wanna just pull it right down with loads of force cause god knows I don't need something else repaired on it (did I mention my cat converter is currently bolted on wahhhhhhh)

There is a little box below the steering wheel and above the brake pedal but I opened that and it's not it.

Anyone got any clue? Id prefer to avoid a mechanic at the minute, pretty sure they all know my face

colino

With a reversing light not working, and you've already changed the bulb for a good one (?), as the circuit is so low duty, it points more to the reversing light switch on the gearbox needing adjusted/cleaned, or more probably, changed.

marlot

colino wrote: »

With a reversing light not working, and you've already changed the bulb for a good one (?), as the circuit is so low duty, it points more to the reversing light switch on the gearbox needing adjusted/cleaned, or more probably, changed.

I agree. Not unknown - the switch failed on my Mondeo when it was in warranty.

Mankysteve

a quick google search I think you should have two fuses boxes one in the engine bay and one somewhere around the glove box. cant find any layout diarams. I would agree with above that the most likly culprit is the reverse switch rather than the fuse

Bollotom

Have a look at this. It's for 2000 onwards but the fuse boxes are in the same location. :cool:

http://www.focusplanet.com/

molerat

(assuming a hatchback) Have you checked the bulb holder as they are notorious for corrosion due to location and difficult to see, I doubt Halfords would have checked that. Fusebox is behind the glove box, drop the glovebox down to access it.

molerat

Bollotom wrote: »

Have a look at this. It's for 2000 onwards but the fuse boxes are in the same location. :cool:

http://www.focusplanet.com/

Those manuals are for US vehicles but many things will be in the same location.

Buttonmoons

Thanks everyone!

I did take off the panel above the brake/below the wheel - like in the manual - It did have something behind it but not a fuse area my Grandad said - As you can tell, I know nothing

What I think I'm best doing is driving out to my mechanic friends on Friday and getting him to do it I haven't the foggiest where and how to do the things mentioned above - I'm such a stereotype!

Hoping my dad will swap me his Ford Ka for my focus - he's just gonna be trading it in eventually anyways, the upkeep is crippling!

Richard53

I would suspect the reverse light switch too. My Mondeo lost its reversing light about a year ago, and it has come and gone since then. At the moment, it's working. Here's a check: with the ignition on, move the gear lever in and out of the reverse position several times. This usually wiggles the switch enough to make it work on mine. (If you have the engine running, make sure you keep the clutch depressed!) Easiest done in the dusk when you can easily see if the light is on from the driving seat.

It looks a fairly easy fix on the Mondeo, I just haven't got around to it yet.