08 Focus - Wiper jets, rear wiper and temp sensor issues
Discussion
Hi there
My 08 plate ford focus (believe these are the MkII variants?) has suddenly started to exhibit strange behaviour - the rear wipers aren't coming on when activated, the external temperature display on the LED dash shows '--- C' and the super jets front and rear aren't firing. It seems to be intermittent, my partner first reported it yesterday. I went to fill up and found the same, but after filling up everything worked except temp sensor still showed triple dash. Upon arriving home, back to not working.
I've read a few threads around instrument cluster issues with ford focus but these seem to be the Mk1 variants. Some of the solutions mention cleaning some earth terminals with wire brush and contact cleaner - can anyone point me to a video showing how to access these so we make sure we are doing the right things? I Feel this could well be our issue as we know the reservoir for the wiper fluid has a small leak so we only fill it up half way, but someone did mention that often when filling with fluid this can overspill and cause corrosion, so could well have happened in the past so this should be my first port of call I think. Any other suggestions gratefully received!
Make Ford Focus
Model FORD FOCUS ZETEC CLIMATE (MANUAL / PETROL)
Engine Size 1.6
Year 2008
My 08 plate ford focus (believe these are the MkII variants?) has suddenly started to exhibit strange behaviour - the rear wipers aren't coming on when activated, the external temperature display on the LED dash shows '--- C' and the super jets front and rear aren't firing. It seems to be intermittent, my partner first reported it yesterday. I went to fill up and found the same, but after filling up everything worked except temp sensor still showed triple dash. Upon arriving home, back to not working.
I've read a few threads around instrument cluster issues with ford focus but these seem to be the Mk1 variants. Some of the solutions mention cleaning some earth terminals with wire brush and contact cleaner - can anyone point me to a video showing how to access these so we make sure we are doing the right things? I Feel this could well be our issue as we know the reservoir for the wiper fluid has a small leak so we only fill it up half way, but someone did mention that often when filling with fluid this can overspill and cause corrosion, so could well have happened in the past so this should be my first port of call I think. Any other suggestions gratefully received!
Make Ford Focus
Model FORD FOCUS ZETEC CLIMATE (MANUAL / PETROL)
Engine Size 1.6
Year 2008
I doubt if screen wash is the cause if your problems. The bit about causing corrosion sounds more like an over full brake fluid reservoir, the fluid from this attacked the cellulose based paint on cars of yore but today's paints are water based. If the washer fluid is causing paint damage what on earth are you putting in it? The leak could possibly be because the pump isn't seated properly- it is only a push fit so might have got knocked.
As said it could be a leak from the windscreen seal is getting into the fuse box and causing mayhem.
As an aside it could be worthwhile sticking the end of a hose into the washer bottle and flushing out the contents. A gloop builds up over time which gets into the hoses and blocks the jets so get your retaliation in first.
As said it could be a leak from the windscreen seal is getting into the fuse box and causing mayhem.
As an aside it could be worthwhile sticking the end of a hose into the washer bottle and flushing out the contents. A gloop builds up over time which gets into the hoses and blocks the jets so get your retaliation in first.
Thanks for messages so far, will check the fuse box for ingress.
I would assume it is at least electrical as it switches between the wiper jets working and not while driving? just been to garden centre and its raining and they were working 75% of the time, but where it wasn't working its the wipers and the jets at the same time not working. We've also noticed the fans on the inside of the car (hot/cold air/aircon etc) are not blowing when turned on to any of the levels so it definitely seems like some sort of electrical issue rather than blocked jets, but I will give that a go - the reason we felt there was a leak is when you fill it above a set level the extra just pours out, below that it is fine. As for the fluid causing corrosion, I am just going by comments on a massive thread about the mk1 instrument cluster which had several comments about cleaning earth terminals located near the reservoir which apparently build up a load of crud and cause issues, but don't know where to look for these to diagnose if this is the cause or not. first port of call seems to be fuse box though! If there is any signs of water ingress, is this easy to prevent?
I would assume it is at least electrical as it switches between the wiper jets working and not while driving? just been to garden centre and its raining and they were working 75% of the time, but where it wasn't working its the wipers and the jets at the same time not working. We've also noticed the fans on the inside of the car (hot/cold air/aircon etc) are not blowing when turned on to any of the levels so it definitely seems like some sort of electrical issue rather than blocked jets, but I will give that a go - the reason we felt there was a leak is when you fill it above a set level the extra just pours out, below that it is fine. As for the fluid causing corrosion, I am just going by comments on a massive thread about the mk1 instrument cluster which had several comments about cleaning earth terminals located near the reservoir which apparently build up a load of crud and cause issues, but don't know where to look for these to diagnose if this is the cause or not. first port of call seems to be fuse box though! If there is any signs of water ingress, is this easy to prevent?
Ok, problem solved. Found an ancient post on a forum that suggested there is a lever under glovebox that is easily dislodged, with a green electrical connection in place. It suggested pushing that lever back in. We cleaned the car out thoroughly at the weekend, or someone could have knocked it with a foot, but either way as soon as I pushed that lever back in and turned on the engine, everything working again 100%, temperature showing, fans blowing, windscreen demising, wipers working, jets firing. Nice free solution!
Gassing Station | Ford | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff