2003 ford focus wagon air conditioning working well until I cut the car off and it began hissing, freon was gone. Was told it was the part under the wheel, did not fix the problem, now they say its under the dash and will cost about one thousand dollars. Its hot here in Va. Thank you,

ABNORMAL REAR TYRE WEAR Ford Focus 2000-2004

"Ford Motor Company told dealers that they may need to replace the rear upper control arms on Ford Focus models. The models include: 2000 through 2004 Focus Sedan, Wagon, ZX3 and ZX5 series.

According to Ford, consumers have been experiencing more than normal wear to the inside of the rear tire(s). Should owners experience such a condition, then they should bring their vehicle in to a Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealership for a possible adjustment. Ford will check the rear camber and, if possible, make an adjustment. If an adjustment to the vehicle's rear camber is necessary beyond the negative end of specification, then the dealership will need to source replacement rear upper control arm(s)."

The Ford Motor Company parts service kit required for this replacement is 3S4Z-1A154-AA. Ford will perform the replacement of parts under provisions of the bumper to bumper warranty under Technical Service Bulletin T31305.

This is considered a "silent recall" where upon Ford may NOT notify owners of this condition. " ( From 2003........)

This no doubt is the likely problem with your car or it could just be in need of a wheel alignment. In any event the previous owner(s) may never had put the car in for the rear suspension modification.
If the fix was undertaken, Ford will have a record of it under your Vehicle Identification Number(VIN).

As the car is out of warranty and given the age(2002 model) I expect you will have to pay for the fix if the problem is the suspension components and not simply the car being in need of a wheel alignment which routinely needs to be done every 12000 miles or so in any event.

Hope this helps.

You need a repair shop with a/c knowledge to work on it

When you try & add to a leaking system & I fail to see
why people do,you let air in & over charge it

Its possible the evaporator is leaking freon, and if it is you would have to take the dash apart to get to it.
I would want a second opinion before spending the money for repairs.

I will explain a few things about air conditioning and a possible rework using a $12 part. An orifice tube is part of some Air conditioners. The cheap ones are $3, but a self-adjust orifice for areas of 105 Degree heat are available. If done with a Freon Recovery machine, Freon costs will be minimal. It takes a special tool to change the part, but you could get the High Temp orifice online and find a place to switch it. Vacuum pumping is advised before refill.
Second, the best amount of Freon is a moderate charge. You have 2 cut-off switches one for low and one for high. This means the compressor will cut off when either extreme is reached. The recommended amount of Freon fill is what the Factory has determined. So many ounces per Label.
Air flow. You could just have a blocked Air flap under the dash or a Solenoid that is not turning the flap fully open. What you could do is try a used car on a lot and see how the blower works.
Fan speed resistor. If you have Digital Climate Control, this is an almost infinite speed regulator. Part of it could be burned out and even if the duct flaps are working properly, you won't get the push out of the system. Or it may have a part called a Solar switch which works with Climate Control and the other switches.
So if the Shop checked the Freon charge and it was Okay, there are still the additional items I mentioned which can affect the performance of the Air Conditioner. Again, check car lots for used cars to start up and check A/C performance.

is there freon in the system?

find the ac compressor,and follow the large ac line coming from it,until you come to it,if this was helpful,please rate,thank you.

it will be located near to the heater motor on the pasanger side under the dash board


please let me know if this helps
cheers
big mike :)

the compressor doesn't have any freon or the fuse is blown. The compressor has a pressure switch when it has the correct amount of freon in, the switch is closed. So if doesn't have the right amount it won't work.

Your focus should not take freon. Freon is used in older cars from 1995 on back. Your focus should take R134 and the plug for your AC should be located under the passenger side wheel well (yes ford makes things so convenient). Just unscrew the little plastic crews in you wheel well and attach the gauge and can of R134 (should take a little more than 2 large cans).

Sounds like it is low on freon. I'd throw another can in itif pressure is down.