Reset window washing plant (normal mode)?

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Michael Heiming - 16 Feb 2005 18:28 GMT

Hi!

Does someone know if it's possible to reset the window washing
plant to work as it used to in Ford cars for decades?

Meaning, *not* turning on windscreen wiper on press, effectively
destroying them in short time as they move over the dry + dirty
windshield.;(

This is really a major annoyance about the Focus, only that many
other car manufacturers do the same, doesn't mean Ford has to do
the same idiocy, only serving windscreen wiper manufacturers.

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Michael Heiming (X-PGP-Sig > GPG-Key ID: EDD27B94)
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#bofh excuse 334: 50% of the manual is in .pdf readme files

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Chris Whelan - 16 Feb 2005 19:42 GMT

> Hi!
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> other car manufacturers do the same, doesn't mean Ford has to do
> the same idiocy, only serving windscreen wiper manufacturers.

It might be possible, by disconnecting the wire from the washer
pump to the central timer unit. This way, the washer switch would
only run the washer pump. To clean the screen would mean
squirting the washer, then operating the wiper switch. I think
this is what you are asking.

In practice, although this was something I didn't like when I
first had my Focus, after 6 years I am not replacing the wiper
blades any more frequently than on any other car I've owned.

What I find more irritating is that when you turn off the blower,
the heating goes to recirc (unless demist is selected). I have
tried to find a way to disable this "feature" without success.

Chris

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Michael Heiming - 16 Feb 2005 21:11 GMT

In alt.autos.ford.focus Chris Whelan <cawhelan@prejudicentlworld.com>:

>> Hi!
>>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>> destroying them in short time as they move over the dry + dirty
>> windshield.;(

[..]

> It might be possible, by disconnecting the wire from the washer
> pump to the central timer unit. This way, the washer switch would
> only run the washer pump. To clean the screen would mean
> squirting the washer, then operating the wiper switch. I think
> this is what you are asking.

Exactly, it looks to me like the multi function lever does the
trick, it's using at least two wires for the washer, probably one
to give some "computer" the signal to turn on the washer pump and
the other to signal turning on wishers for at least 5 times or
so. Can't tell for sure don't have circuit diagram of the
European Focus (1999).;(

> In practice, although this was something I didn't like when I
> first had my Focus, after 6 years I am not replacing the wiper
> blades any more frequently than on any other car I've owned.

Mh, perhaps you don't use them this often? Need to replace the
wipers more often then with all other Fords, which didn't have
this "feature". In addition to the much too small water tank, 3l
or so, a joke!

> What I find more irritating is that when you turn off the blower,
> the heating goes to recirc (unless demist is selected). I have
> tried to find a way to disable this "feature" without success.

Dunno what you mean with "recirc"? Can't find this word in some
online dictionary. Haven't mentioned whatever? Probably due to the
fact that ventilation is never switch off completely.

Another "feature", my Focus turns on AC if you switch to
defrost without even switching on the small AC control light.;(

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Michael Heiming (X-PGP-Sig > GPG-Key ID: EDD27B94)
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Chris Whelan - 16 Feb 2005 21:59 GMT

>>>Hi!
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> so. Can't tell for sure don't have circuit diagram of the
> European Focus (1999).;(

I looked at the wiring diagram in my Haynes manual. The screen
wash pump runs clockwise or anticlockwise depending on whether
the front or rear screen is being squirted. Two wires, one from
each end of the pump, go to the central timing unit. (The
"computer" you mention.) I'm guessing that these wires turn on
the windscreen wiper relay for a fixed time.

>>In practice, although this was something I didn't like when I
>>first had my Focus, after 6 years I am not replacing the wiper
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> this "feature". In addition to the much too small water tank, 3l
> or so, a joke!

I found when I first had my Focus that it lost 1 litre of
screenwash in a week even if I hadn't used the washers. It went
back to the dealer 3 times, and had a modification done, but
still did it. I eventually took the tank out and found that the
breather at the top of the tank was too low. I extended it with a
bit of rubber hose about 100mm long. This stopped it loosing that
1 litre. Maybe worth doing?

>>What I find more irritating is that when you turn off the blower,
>>the heating goes to recirc (unless demist is selected). I have
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> online dictionary. Haven't mentioned whatever? Probably due to the
> fact that ventilation is never switch off completely.

Sorry, "recirc" is a common UK abbreviation for "recirculation",
where no outside air enters the vehicle. I forgot you are not
from the UK, your English is so good!

> Another "feature", my Focus turns on AC if you switch to
> defrost without even switching on the small AC control light.;(

My Focus is 1999, so doesn't have this feature. I would not be
happy if it did this also.

Chris

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Michael Heiming - 16 Feb 2005 23:34 GMT

In alt.autos.ford.focus Chris Whelan <cawhelan@prejudicentlworld.com>:

>>>>Hi!
>>>>
>>>>Does someone know if it's possible to reset the window washing
>>>>plant to work as it used to in Ford cars for decades?

[..]

> I looked at the wiring diagram in my Haynes manual. The screen
> wash pump runs clockwise or anticlockwise depending on whether
> the front or rear screen is being squirted. Two wires, one from
> each end of the pump, go to the central timing unit. (The
> "computer" you mention.) I'm guessing that these wires turn on
> the windscreen wiper relay for a fixed time.

Perhaps, seems like I need the "Haynes manual" real soon, already
tolerated this annoying behavior too long.

[..]

> I found when I first had my Focus that it lost 1 litre of
> screenwash in a week even if I hadn't used the washers. It went
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> bit of rubber hose about 100mm long. This stopped it loosing that
> 1 litre. Maybe worth doing?

Mine shouldn't have this bug, IIRC it was fixed before mine was
built.

The problem is the small tank, it's only about 3l my former
Sierra had about 10l and that lasted quite a while.;)

[..]

> Sorry, "recirc" is a common UK abbreviation for "recirculation",
> where no outside air enters the vehicle. I forgot you are not

[..]

Yeah, there's a button for something like this near the AC
button, didn't found any usage for it until now.

>> Another "feature", my Focus turns on AC if you switch to
>> defrost without even switching on the small AC control light.;(
>>
> My Focus is 1999, so doesn't have this feature. I would not be
> happy if it did this also.

;)

At least there was some reason you got a Ford...

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Michael Heiming (X-PGP-Sig > GPG-Key ID: EDD27B94)
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TheSurgeon - 20 Feb 2005 11:24 GMT

There are two connectors in the main junction box. C14 and C1000. No:1 pin
of C14 and No:29 pin of C1000 are interconnected. If you can separate this
connection and connect the C1000-side to +12 Volts, you can cancel the
automatic wiper activation on washer activation. You must carefully isolate
the C14-side of the wire because it is connected normally to + 12V).

> Hi!
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> other car manufacturers do the same, doesn't mean Ford has to do
> the same idiocy, only serving windscreen wiper manufacturers.

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Michael Heiming - 20 Feb 2005 18:22 GMT

In alt.autos.ford.focus TheSurgeon <TheSurgeonB_REMOVE_@hotmail.com>:

> There are two connectors in the main junction box. C14 and C1000. No:1 pin
> of C14 and No:29 pin of C1000 are interconnected. If you can separate this
> connection and connect the C1000-side to +12 Volts, you can cancel the
> automatic wiper activation on washer activation. You must carefully isolate
> the C14-side of the wire because it is connected normally to + 12V).

Hi!

Thx, great info! Try getting my hands on the connection diagram
asap, double-check what you wrote and try it out.

I'll report back to this ng, might take some time.

[..]

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