Temperature gauge Ford Fiesta

[lainey333]

I have a Ford Fiesta, reg 51. There doesnt seem to be any warm air coming from the vents when I turn the gauge to "hot". Ive been to one garage that said it was a problem I needed to go to Ford about, but Id prefer to go somewhere else as they will no doubt be more expensive than anywhere else!

Is this something that can be fixed easily? Is it electrical? Expensive? And can I get this done at any old garage? Its OK at the minute, but I want it sorted for Winter.

Thanks for your help!

[Waggers]

Hi there,

I'm assuming that your motor is working (ie air is being blown through to the car) but that you only get cold. Are you experiencing problems with the running of the car. It could be a mechanical problem with the gauge or possibly a problem with your heater matrix (which is where the hot air derives from). I should think that most garages worth their salt should be able to find the cause of this problem. I had a very similar problem last year and it was a blocked matrix, solved by a coolant change! I would try another garage before you settle for ford. Have you any friends who are hands on with cars?

Good luck

[lainey333]

Thanks Waggers

Yeah the engine seems to be running fine. What did you mean by a coolant change? does that mean ive got to get all of the old stuff out before putting new in?

Cheers

[jake-the-peg]

Water and antifreeze (coolant) is cirulated around the body of the engine and out to the ratiator in order to keep the engine at the right running temperature and stop it overheating.

Some of this coolant is branched off and circlated around a kind of mini radiator called the heater matrix. When you turn the heating on air is passed through this and into the car which is what gives you the warm air.

In most cases what happens is that the heater matrix clogs up and the hot water stops going through it and your heating stops.

Normally the solution is that you let all of the coolant out of the system open one of the hoses and flush it out in both directions with a hose. You then fill it back up with watre and antifreeze and you have heating again.

Hurrah

Your garage will have guessed this and it sounds to me like they did not want a somewhat messy job and palmed you off with some story about needing a main dealer to fix it.

I'd try somebody else maybe a mobile mechanic

[Waggers]

Jake the peg beat me to it - he's spot on!

I'd second his advice for trying somebody else. Let us know how you get on. Good luck.

[carol.m]

I had the same problem, it was the heater recirculation pump, village garage fitted new one in 10 minutes, price of pump approx �35 + �10 fitting + vat