Heater blower info

[Cloggy Saint]

My blower has packed up and I assume needs replacing. I have airco and have heard that they use a different (larger) blower. I imagine this will be hard to source second hand so the question is will the normal type physically fit and still do it's job ok?

[daimlerman]

May be worthwhile trying the 'removing,cleaning and oiling' dodge before condeming your existing blower unit.
Sorry,no idea if an 'ordinary' one will fit.

[Grrrmachine]

Basic answer is no - aircon fans are different and non-aircon fans won't fit.

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ter_Blower

[Cloggy Saint]

May be worthwhile trying the 'removing,cleaning and oiling' dodge before condeming your existing blower unit.
Sorry,no idea if an 'ordinary' one will fit.

The motor spins freely so I don't think that's the problem.

Basic answer is no - aircon fans are different and non-aircon fans won't fit.

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ter_Blower

The wiki article tells where the resistor is on non AC cars but not on AC equipped cars. Where would I find it?

[Brianmoooore]

May be worthwhile trying the 'removing,cleaning and oiling' dodge before condeming your existing blower unit.
Sorry,no idea if an 'ordinary' one will fit.

The motor spins freely so I don't think that's the problem.

I've never directly compared them side by side, but there's a considerable difference in size, so I'd be very surprised if they could be interchanged.
If the one you have spins OK, then I doubt that there's anything wrong with it.
Have you tried connecting 12 volts directly to the two wires?
If there is something wrong with it, it's likely to be carbon brush or brush spring related, although worn out brushes are unlikely. There's always been plenty left on any I've looked at.

[Cloggy Saint]

Cheers, I'll give it 12V over the weekend and see what happens. Could it be the resistor's knackered or would it still work on the highest speed if this was the case?

[Cloggy Saint]

Again, it was the fuse. Any reason why this should keep popping?

[Brianmoooore]

Aircon on or off?

[Cloggy Saint]

Aircon' off.

[Brianmoooore]

It's a 30A fuse, so I can't imagine the fan motor drawing that sort of current, even if the motor was solid.
The resistors (underneath the motor) are a bit exposed and near earthed metal on aircon cars, so I suggest you look for contact that shouldn't be around there. After that, it's check out the wiring between to the switch and between the switch and motor, looking for damage.

[Cloggy Saint]

Ok, thanks, I'll be very glad to get this sorted, it's been dragging on for weeks.

[Cloggy Saint]

The saga continues. I haven't had time or inclination to sort this so sent it to a garage who told me the blower is knackered as "It's drawing too much current and that's why the fuse is popping all the time". Does this suggest/confirm a dud resistor?

[pacerpete]

The saga continues. I haven't had time or inclination to sort this so sent it to a garage who told me the blower is knackered as "It's drawing too much current and that's why the fuse is popping all the time". Does this suggest/confirm a dud resistor?

In my experience, the resistors seldom go wrong, it is the load of the partially seized / worn blower motor that cause the resistors to act up. Have you removed and checked the fan ? They should spin freely, any drag will cause dramas.

Often a good soaking at each end with a good penetrant, utilising the elusive red straw. can bring a slightly poorly one back into service. Close all the vents and turn the fan on with the bulkhead cover off while you do this.

If your fan still does not want to play ball, it is replacement motor time, and yes, they are incompatible with non A/C fans.

[Cloggy Saint]

It spins freely with no resistance or strange noises

[clipper]

Could be a short in the fan windings....

[Cloggy Saint]

Well whatever it is it's got my local grease-monkey stumped. It's been dragging on for so long now I'm tempted to replace it (if I can find a second hand AC version) and then see if the original can be salvaged.

[Brianmoooore]

Disconnect the brown wire only from the motor, and use the car normally, with the fan turned on so that the fuse would normally pop.
The motor won't run of course, but see if the fuse holds.