# Defrost does not work in Focus **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 15, 2016, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrost-does-not-work-in-focus/768662 "2016-10-15T23:21:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![UCBearcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/77aa72/32.png) [@UCBearcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UCBearcats)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrost-does-not-work-in-focus/768662/1 "2016-10-15T23:21:18Z")
I have had the need to use my defrost setting in my 2010 Focus this past week. Unfortunately it is not working correctly. When I use the defrost or defrost and floor setting it only blows air out of the dash vents. Is this something I can correct? If not is this usually something expensive to fix? ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrost-does-not-work-in-focus/768662/2 "2016-10-15T23:32:52Z")
It is working correctly. From the owner’s manual: > [@](#): > > MAX Defrost: > Press the button to switch on defrost. Outside air flows through > the windshield vents, air conditioning automatically turns on, and fan > automatically adjusts to the highest speed. You can also use this setting to > defrost and clear the windshield of a thin covering of ice. The heated rear window > also automatically turns on when you select maxim The point being that the setting overrides the air distribution setting. Defrost uses the air-conditioner to remove the moisture from the air so as to allow the air to dry the windscreen. Sending this to your feet as well isn’t going to be useful. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrost-does-not-work-in-focus/768662/3 "2016-10-15T23:45:51Z")
> [@UCBearcats](#): > > I have had the need to use my defrost setting in my 2010 Focus this past week. Unfortunately it is not working correctly. When I use the defrost or defrost and floor setting it only blows air out of the dash vents. Is this something I can correct? If not is this usually something expensive to fix? have you noticed any “clicking” sounds from inside the dash when changing from defrost to floor or in-between? a few Ford models are known for the blend door actuator(s) breaking an internal gear. ---
**Author:** ![UCBearcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/77aa72/32.png) [@UCBearcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UCBearcats)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2016, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrost-does-not-work-in-focus/768662/4 "2016-10-16T00:04:43Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > have you noticed any “clicking” sounds from inside the dash when changing from defrost to floor or in-between? a few Ford models are known for the blend door actuator(s) breaking an internal gear. There isn’t any clicking going on. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2016, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrost-does-not-work-in-focus/768662/5 "2016-10-16T00:29:01Z")
> [@UCBearcats](#): > > There isn’t any clicking going on. hm. well, I’d still have to think it’s related to the blend door actuator(s,) since it’s clear one of them is not moving. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2016, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrost-does-not-work-in-focus/768662/6 "2016-10-16T03:17:19Z")
> [@Francis\_Vaughan](#): > > It is working correctly. No it‘s not. It‘s not coming out of the windshield vents like it should, it’s coming out off the dash vents (the ones that blow rearward). ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2016, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrost-does-not-work-in-focus/768662/7 "2016-10-16T04:23:58Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > No it‘s not. It‘s not coming out of the windshield vents like it should, it’s coming out off the dash vents (the ones that blow rearward). Ugh. :smack: Sorry, should read more closely. In which case it does sound like a control door. I would be finding an owner’s forum to see if this is a known issue, and looking for help there no matter what. The problem will be that access to the problem may take an arbitrary amount of effort, and two minute ten cent fix may cost hundreds in the time taken to get there to perform the fix. Or the spare part costs a significant fraction of the current value of the car (colour me cynical about this.) ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2016, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defrost-does-not-work-in-focus/768662/8 "2016-10-16T14:01:16Z")
I had a 2007 Focus that had the same issue, I think. The air would blow out of the floor vent only, regardless of where the switch was set to. I took it to a trusted mechanic who quoted something like $700 for the repair. Apparently it involved removing a good portion of the dash to get at the part, so the labor involved is significant. I lived with it for about a year then got rid of the car. I hope your problem is something more fixable. mmm ETA: I eventually came to realize that there was a slight flow of air coming out at the windshield - barely detectable - and if I was patient it would eventually defrost the glass.