Ford Focus Overheating and Fix - Cooling Fan Resistor

[@anthonywynn5434]

I still have my wife's 2003 Focus, P code car. She passed away in December of 18, and I've kept it going with a new engine (dropped a valve before she died) and a new computer (x3). I plan on keeping this little car running and like new for the rest of my life, and this little video and your others will be a great help. Thank you, and God Bless.

[@kennycurran6938]

your video is 7 years old and still helping folks like me.!! Thank You Thank You Thank YOU!!!!! It was the cooling fan resistor. got the kit from Autozone for $49 and it did the trick. I would have been clueless if not for your video.

[@skateordie9628]

this is one of the few mechanic videos that is actually well filmed, clear concise and helpful. Thank you!

[@Rarotopia]

for those who keep overheating or the fans are not kicking in when they should here's the definitive fix: theres a small thermal fuse in the fan resistor which usually resists way less than it should for the car's normal heat and it burns quickly, you can check continuity and see for yourself. The definitive fix is to replace the smal thermal fuse with one with a higher temp resistance like 240 celcius, the original or the replacement it's 184 celsius or so and tends to burn after a few days or months of use.

[@gemz8204]

Just wanted to say THANKS, checked my resistor plug and sure enough was burnt to a crisp. replaced it and my fan which was not working finally turns on and yea fan does switch to low. Fuse was good whew. OK now only other prob I still have is car shows overheating when driving but will go down. I replaced the thermostat housing about a year ago, but going to test the thermostat using your. Awesome tip. Who new you could do a simple test boiling water. Going to try that out next. THANKS AGAIN (saved me 400.00 !! Quoted by Ford dammm! You know 300.00 of that goes to labor alone... shaking head)

[@cellphonelightsaber]

This video helped me out a TON. My resistor connector looked WORSE than yours and I have a melted fan connector; amazing the fans are still running at all. I'm just gonna toss the entire fan assembly; I found a new assembly on RockAuto and it replaces blades, motors, shroud, connectors, and yep, that resistor!

[@SoftwareDevJason]

+cellphonelightsaber Damn, good luck getting it in!

[@azeezah2]

Hey!! Did this work?

[@azeezah2]

SoftwareDevJason you fix on these cars a lot. Would it be really hard to change the entire fan assembly.

[@SoftwareDevJason]

Nope, shouldn't be very hard.

[@cellphonelightsaber]

JUSZEE S YES! It's two connectors off to the right and the whole assembly has two clips higher up on the sides. After those are free, push the assembly out little bit and lift up. That pulls the whole thing off the hooks on the bottom. After that lower it UNDER the car and out toward you to avoid the wiring up top. The new one goes in reverse with one deal: there are silicone bumpers on the new unit that will make the fit on the bottom hooks nice and snug, so it may FEEL like it doesn't fit. Watch the hoses on the lower right side and make sure you don't stress the plastic hooks by angling the new fan assembly too wide. After that, snap it in towards you and plug in the connectors. The new fan assembly will run at multiple speeds, not just kicking on in dire need. It'll also not bog down the engine when it kicks on. I bought the TYC brand as they did good on some headlights I bought and have a lifetime warranty. They did a great job with the fans too!

[@davidmessimer5237]

Thank you so much! I figured out why my 02 zts was overheating due to your video!! Thanks again

[@colincunningham1350]

Great video! have to test these out.. By the way, it looks like you've had this connector problem before.. The root cause of this issue may have been water ingress into the connector which corroded, shorted and burned the connector.. this is quite probable since rain will be sucked in through the radiator.. It would be prudent to fill the connector up with silicone grease before you plug the new one back in :) you can do no harm with silicone grease..

[@steveobeanz76]

I like how you bypassed alot of that plastic coolant tubes

[@joegolden5629]

I have a 2002 ZX3 and going through this issue right now, will try this

[@freewithnature]

Even if you do have a studded you are perfectly fine! And thanks for the video trying to figure out why my stinkin 02 Focus overheats on idle so I'm gonna try these out and see what's up!!

[@joehyundaitech7961]

Janson hi I use a test light so I don't have to pull them out there cheap and comes in very handy

[@leeworrall5404]

That's a real useful video. Thanks. I was looking how to replace a fan but found this first.

[@suzanneshaw8498]

Awesome video! Was the plug! So easy to follow.

[@wjnahuy]

Thank you this video is helpful I was not aware of this that why I didn't see a switch and wasn't sure what that thing even was... Thanks buddy!

[@ststock27]

Good stuff man. Did this exact trouble shooting and fix based on your video and im back on the road. Thank you!!

[@SoftwareDevJason]

Good to hear!

[@donaldwelsh1883]

2004 focus is overheating. When I take off the radiator cap after it has been running for a few minutes, water just starts coming out of the cap. I also noticed that the water was not circulating at all. The thermostat has been taken out quite some time ago. Would that have anything to do with it?

[@sbibbity_bobbity_bup]

LMAO. I was just listening to you doing the same thing to my car as you were saying it and as soon as I pulled the resistor I pulled it as well and saw the same exact thing

[@philjohnson796]

Great video, just what I needed to see. Thanks.

[@shawnhicks4562]

I found and fixed the resistor prior to watching this video I just wanted to add that the resistor frying also fried the 50amp fuse and the fan DOES NOT turn on when AC is on full.

[@azeezah2]

Shawn Hicks after you changed resistor, car still running hot? Did you change relay? Replace fans?

[@SoftwareDevJason]

+EarendilTheBlessed It's not letting me reply to you for some reason: I'm not sure, I thought the AC turned the fans on low which required a working resistor. Bypassed to high at a certain temp or certain AC PSI on high side. I would simply drive around around my neighborhood for 10 minutes, stop idle and see if my fans cut on... That was the next test after my phone died in this video. Again, I'm not a mechanic nor have I dug into how these multi-speed fans work.

[@ryanhayward5910]

So if my focus doesn’t have working AC and I did this replacement as so would my fans still kick on as yours did?

[@gartheligon140]

It's good to stagger the joining of the wires, in case the wires get exposed they wouldn't contact and create a short.

[@scottgm321]

Changed my thermostat, relays and never knew there was a resistor. Thanks for the video. My resistor is burned too and it’s the kit you installed. Don’t know how old it is though. Hopefully this will fix the over heating. Both fans come on for a few seconds then shut off for a minute then come back on for a few seconds. Wonder why the resistors fail so easily. Update 2 weeks later. Resistor has failed again. Time for new fans? Relays were replaced already.

[@ericmcginnis9413]

Good repair. I thin im shuddering would have been better but either way! Good job! And at least you did it and not some hack at a shop !

[@nemui_tora]

I'm having overheating problems in my 03' zx3. The coolant gauge in my dash will reach max and throw a warning light. The coolant does rise up when I check under the hood after I have it running during idle. I was thinking I have a thermostat problem but then I checked my resistor and the entire unit is rusted to shit and even looks burned a bit. The connection on it however is completely fine. Any tips on what I should do? Edit: to add to this I don't have AC in the car so I can't really check that out

[@EarendilTheBlessed]

I've read somewhere else that even if the resistor is burned the fans should kick in if the AC is at high...

[@SoftwareDevJason]

+EarendilTheBlessed I'm not sure, I thought the AC turned the fans on low which required a working resistor. Bypassed to high at a certain temp or certain AC PSI on high side. I would simply drive around around my neighborhood for 10 minutes, stop idle and see if my fans cut on... That was the next test after my phone died in this video. Again, I'm not a mechanic nor have I dug into how these multi-speed fans work.

[@SoftwareDevJason]

I added a note on the video that this may not be a valid test. Thanks for letting me know.

[@louisselale1240]

Going through this problem car overheats at low speeds especially when stuck on traffic. In morning will troubleshoot the fan because I think its not coming on. Will update on the progress.

[@LA_Commander]

Sounds like you have a cooling fan issue. Did you find out anything more since then?

[@johnferreri5829]

hey I have a 2002 zx3. I have the same overheating problem. my fans melted a little when my tranny mount broke and leaned against the radiator. since then I over heat in traffic and stuff.

[@Bckwdsrdnck]

Does this also apply to the 2.3l duratecs?

[@LA_Commander]

Yes

[@dan19630]

I'd like to get your take on my Ford Focus. It's s a 2003 ZX5. Mechanic changed out the coolant checked all the hoses replace the reservoir cap. I even had the mechanic run a diagnostic on it and did a pressure check on the cooling system and he too is baffled by this. I even recently changed the coolant sensor myself. Still does the same thing. It doesn't matter if you're sitting in traffic or driving down the highway temperature gauge reads normal or below middle while driving on the highway or freeway does it matter if the AC is on or not when the gauge spikes over to the right I would think that the engine is overheating and the engine should be stalling at that point. I can get out and check the reservoir and it's perfectly calm. With the temperature reading that hot it should be shooting out like a geyser but it isn't. the weird thing is the coolant gauge we'll be fine or below middle spiked up to the maximum and then it goes back down again. All the while the reservoir is full and calm. I'm really scratching my head on this one.

[@LA_Commander]

Could be a bad coolant temperature sensor. Try looking at that.

[@Godisgr8always]

@@LA_Commander what he said?

[@keenanmasterson4757]

I'm not sure if I'll find any help here, but I'll ask anyway. I've had a similar problem. My cooling fans don't come on. I checked this resistor and found it burnt to a crisp, as well as the connector. I installed the new resistor and connector today, and no dice, it still isn't working. I thought I did a god job of it, I'll have to check that the wires crimped together properly. If it isn't the fuse, or the resistor anymore what else can it be? How many more parts are there on this assembly to replace?

[@brendataggard3764]

It could be your oxygen sensors. Is your check engine light on? If So, that's an indicator. However mine didn't come on until I used a jump wire to test if the fan worked, which it did. The fan did not come on when I turned the AC on. But, my A.C. appears to be on but doesn't blow cold air.

[@heidimedrano184]

im having an over heat problem on my ford focus zts 2002.only one fan comes on thats when the ac is on.can any one help me pleases😱😱

[@SoftwareDevJason]

Sorry, I'm not sure how the ZTS differs. Have you searched google for common overheating issues with that car? Does it still overheat at speed on the highway or just when stopped? It will likely overheat differently depending on the problem. If it's overheating no matter what you're doing, check your thermostat.

[@JAM-zb2vh]

I have a ford focus ses 2007 and the fans are not working thank you I will try and find the resistor

[@gertis7420]

Great video. Does this resistor makes fans turn on at low speed also? My fans only kick on at high speed when car temperature reaches 220 F and it seems that coolant is overheating due to fans not working at low speed.

[@SoftwareDevJason]

Honestly, I'm not sure. There is some conflicting information on the method I used to test this. Easiest way is to pull it and see if it looks burnt up, only takes a few minutes.

[@LA_Commander]

One of the two fan motors could also be burned out.

[@ryanhayward5910]

Your low speed cooling fan relay needs to be replaced

[@hardyb311]

On my 2002 focus I bought from a guy he ran a jumper from the fan wire harness to the fuse box is it a reason he did that?

[@ChayaIsrael777]

The same for my 2003 Ford focus..I bought it like that..Hmm!

[@stanleynich]

my mom has a 2000 and we replaced the housing and thermostat 2yrs ago 2 weeks ago I drove it to get tested before tags and ran fine had to turn the AC off and a couple montes latter it started overheating, found that as long as the AC is on no problems but when you turn it off the Fan stops and overheats going to check this to see if it maybe the same thanks

[@mvpbilly]

seems like we have same issue. did you figure it out whats the problem?

[@Brizzo200]

Same here. Wtf is the issue

[@cherylmiklitsch1611]

How do i check to see if i have enought antifreeze in my focus i put 1 gallon and 3/4 of another. Had no heat now i do. ..

[@teds4165]

There's a indicator line on the tank

[@kareemali2922]

does it matter which wires you connect to which ?

[@roanauthor94]

So the metal swing clip comes in from the bottom of the connector. You squeeze and pull, you don't have to remove spine clip.💯 I'm the owner of an 01 focus 240,000+mile to date

[@mvpbilly]

okay here is my car problem with my 02 FORD FOCUS SE 2.0 ENGINE, the high fan only turns on when the ac is ON, and also when im driving and the temp goes up. but on IDLE, it doesnt turn on. what could be the problem? the fuses are fine, the relay seems fine, the high fan connector has a lilttle burnt but still working.. IDK where to look now, 3 mechanics of mine cant figure out the problem. Please anyone help me. Thanks!!

[@johnferreri5829]

I though I needed a thermostat was going to get thermostat tomorrow what should I do

[@GunnarGronlund]

Thanks. I check if its the same problem here.

[@rakusturin]

Jason: I have a question for you. You rebuilt the engine for this car because of a dropped valve seat. I bought a used 2001 with ~113k miles; I didn't do my homework and am now worried that the valve will drop. I also found this while doing some investigtion: "These engines usually fail for one reason: The engine gets hot and the head spits out an intake seat. We’ve been told that this happens because the fan relay fails and allows the engine to overheat. Once the head gets hot, it distorts enough to break one of the powdered-metal seats into two or more pieces." Given you had a dropped seat AND that you had to repair the cooling fan electrical system...do you think the failure of the cooling fan system had a direct impact on the overheating and subsequent failure of the cylinder head?

[@SoftwareDevJason]

+Rick Kusturin Hi Rick, I've heard this as well and I believe it may trigger the issue in some cases but may not be the sole cause of the issue. It's really hard for me to contribute it specifically to the fan relay/overheating for a couple reasons. In this video, the resistor went bad after the rebuild. The resistor was fine before the rebuild as I inspected the resistor during the rebuild process and it was fine. However, the first resistor did go bad about about 90,000 miles but that was about 50,000 miles before the seat dropped. Honestly, I don't know what the real cause is but I know it happens way too often. If I bought another one, I would consider replacing the head with one where aftermarket seats have been fitted before it left me sitting. Good luck either way friend!

[@Robotchicken1338]

thnks for the great videos, the best at showing wht to do n everything to check it helped me wit my car.

[@SoftwareDevJason]

+Jermaine Watson Cool, thanks for watching. It could be other things as well but I haven't had those problems yet.

[@АлександрЗайцев-ю9с]

здравствуйте а запчасти у вас все есть в продаже на сплит порт

[@johnferreri5829]

was also thinking of buying a new fan ?

[@Bigdogok]

My car is actually throwing hot water out from the water tank and it's overheating Plus the fans are not working and the fuses getting blown any any tips

[@dwayneliscombe9847]

it seems that you might have a blown head gasket which is causing the compression to push out the water/coolant.

[@John.redcorn420]

will this work for 2012 ford focus se? my car overheats when my ac is on and i check my fan it doesnt turn while the ac is on

[@SoftwareDevJason]

+Jesuz Bernal There is a lot of confusion about the AC test. See my comments below. Some say that the fan should come on no matter what with the AC on high. Other say it is more complicated than that and requires a certain temp or AC PSI on the high side. The easiest thing to do is pull the resistor and see if it's burnt. If not, I would suggest applying power directly to the fan to make sure the fans actually work, then go from there.

[@John.redcorn420]

+SoftwareDevJason thanks i will check that as soon as possible my cooling fan doesnt turn for nothing im going to check my resistor mayne thats the problem

[@alexc8299]

Same issue with my 2012 focus se. I'm replacing my thermostat in the morning.

[@Ashroyer86]

Did the engine go out on that car by chance?

[@SoftwareDevJason]

Yes. I have a series of videos on it.

[@Ashroyer86]

@@SoftwareDevJason 8th vin digit "p". Manufacture flaw of valve seat in head.

[@SoftwareDevJason]

@@Ashroyer86 Yep, I have a video series on the rebuild. It's a common issue.

[@alexrodriguez2664]

Remove all watches and jewelry before working on vehicle

[@jonathanmatos753]

excellent video, thank you!

[@SoftwareDevJason]

You're welcome!

[@enochharsch3252]

My dad's 2003 Ford Focus SE 2.0 SPI SOHC with 215,000 miles fans don't turn on but it doesn't overheat.

[@LJohns4747]

Haha, if you push the clip down on the electrical plug it should pull off and then you won't be losing it by taking the clip off the plug.

[@jdjd2059]

How much you paid for the part?? which shop?

[@SoftwareDevJason]

john doe you can pick up these parts from an auto parts store. This was either Advance or Auto Zone.

[@thomasmcloughlin5402]

Thanks. Great lesson.

[@juliusharper1312]

your fan motors are pulling to many amps causing it to burn the connector it will just keep doing it check the current draw on the motors .

[@veneno276]

thank you for the video, was very helpful.

[@lordvadar5656]

Always pull a fuse to see if end is corroded.

[@SoftwareDevJason]

Thanks for the tip!

[@candacechavez5753]

i need your help ok i have a 2001 and it acts like it's overheating when I drive it when it's hot outside it will stall out on me but then when I let it rest it will start right back up in the winter time when it's cold outside I can drive it for a longer period of time before it stalled out on me and has to rest before starting back up my fans turn on it's not telling me that my car is overheating I was told that it could be a temperature switch or something like that just need your help I guess and telling me if that's what it could be and if you have a video showing how to fix that my engine looks just like yours

[@SoftwareDevJason]

I'm certainly not a mechanic but perhaps the idle air control valve? Others have had problems out of them. Search up some of the symptoms of that and see if it sounds familiar.

[@candacechavez5753]

Ok thank you

[@SoftwareDevJason]

+Candace Watson If the symptoms sound like your issue, I could make a video or take some pictures for you. However, someone else probably already has instructions for this.

[@candacechavez5753]

Ok thank you so much

[@MrOldheadtom]

Mine is only overheating when I'm idle

[@LA_Commander]

Sounds like you have a cooling fan issue

[@Cueballproductions1149]

hey dude watching this video cause having same problem on my focus overheating had my therstat done and new radator still no better any tips? notice your a biker sweet dropped you a sub

[@SoftwareDevJason]

Thanks!

[@phantomwalker8251]

why not just use spade connectors,& grease them,or junk it & use a thermo computor button glued to rad,i used one for 8 yrs,no probs.,they look like a batt button with spade terminals/wings.only 10mm dia.

[@ghorbanalirazmjou8591]

Thanks ❤

[@jeffmech600]

Your fixing a symptom not the actual problem

[@SoftwareDevJason]

Maybe, but it's been 30,000 miles since this happened without another issue... I'm not that worried about an underlying problem at this point. The car is a piece of shit, 10 other things will probably break before the resistor goes out again.

[@hpt08]

Great vid! :-)

[@ricardocaraballo394]

Good inf I like it

[@cesareobarahona9089]

no entiendo nijota no soy americano

[@jackac3394]

You didm not show us how you tested it with a meter. You sis not tell us price of replacement part (both you indicated in video) and you did not show splicing new connector into place. My best advice is to splice both wires together and be done with it. No $30 cost, no more failed resistor part. Who cares if it runs on high all the time. Keeps my engine cool with or without AC on.

[@SoftwareDevJason]

+Jack A C I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't go back and watch this video but I'm pretty sure I showed the splicing. I also didn't show testing with a meter because I didn't test with a meter. You can Google the price, it's going to vary depending on several factors.

[@wjnahuy]

PS not my car.

[@jamesbuck3818]

MY LORD MATE... WHY WHY Did you spend YOUR Time on THAT JUNK engine?😢 U need the ZTECH..

[@sonyastephens955]

Wtf

[@YungAcedf]

talking too much just get to the point man

[@SoftwareDevJason]

Akeem Cox Or you can skip forward in the video, I do it all the time! Let me know if you need instructions.

[@freewithnature]

I enjoyed the accent lol and all of the things he had to say it's interesting learning all this stuff and I for one appreciate all the talking.

[@JohnnyCarroll-wi6tx]

boring.