heater duct seems to be broke.

[Fattie]

the middle knob that allows you to change between forward vents , defrost , feet etc.... wont change. i already broke one cable messing with it, now ive broken a second trying to get it to switch. anybody had this same problem ? thanks

[Sponsor]

[Blurvfocus]

What do you mean?

Does the knob move but nothing happens at the heater? Or does the knob not even move?

[elbaconi]

I've had this problem but have no fix for it - has happened a few times and then just fixes itself after a few hours. Knob won't turn right to the defrost positions, like it's catching on something.

[whynotthinkwhynot]

I haven't heard of this problem. Can you operate the vent selector manually when you replace the cable? Is there any way to get a clear view of the action there? Something has to be binding somewhere on the other end of the cable.

[Fattie]

Originally Posted by whynotthinkwhynot

I haven't heard of this problem. Can you operate the vent selector manually when you replace the cable? Is there any way to get a clear view of the action there? Something has to be binding somewhere on the other end of the cable.

well it was like the know was stuck , i twisted it so hard it broke the first cable. i replaced the cable and it was still bound up , i went to the junkyard and got another cable and the white plastic thing it hooks too. hopefully these fix the issue. my heater knob does it sometimes too , i just wiggle it back and forth and it loosens up.

[USARice]

I actually have been wondering about this problem for a couple months myself. It doesn't do it but maybe once a week or so (although I don't change it off the regular vent much) and sometimes I can turn the knob to one side but then it binds going to the other side of "vent". There shouldn't be anything binding the cables though nothing has been touched in the cabin. I figured it was actually to "door" getting stuck, but then again, why? To the OP, how much work is it to get in there to examine/replace the cables?

[sailor]

Posted via FF MobileFWIW - my heater control handle "sticks" between the vent side and the heat/defrost side as well, right at the top center. I figured it was the changeover from one set moving to another, and just ease it through the transition - Ain`t broke yet, so until it becomes a bigger issue I`m not diving in there..... Not great "feel", but it`s a Focus, not a Mercedes!

[USARice]

Originally Posted by sailor

Posted via FF MobileNot great "feel", but it`s a Focus, not a Mercedes!

True, but it's not a Mercury Tracer either and I had far less problems with those than I've had with my Focus so far; and each of those had over 100k when I bought them. And seriously, no tilt wheel? It's the Geo Metro of the Ford family even if you buy the most expensive model available..... /Rant

[Fattie]

Originally Posted by USARice

I actually have been wondering about this problem for a couple months myself. It doesn't do it but maybe once a week or so (although I don't change it off the regular vent much) and sometimes I can turn the knob to one side but then it binds going to the other side of "vent". There shouldn't be anything binding the cables though nothing has been touched in the cabin. I figured it was actually to "door" getting stuck, but then again, why? To the OP, how much work is it to get in there to examine/replace the cables?

i fixed mine by replacing the cable and the plastic thing it connects to.

its realy simple , take a flat head screw driver and pop the radio trim off , then its pretty self explanatory from there.

[USARice]

thanks. will have to look into this. I'll order the SVT style faces and do that too since I'll have it apart.