1989 245 Heater Blower Motor Resistor location

roberto frances · Post by **roberto frances** » 09 Apr 2014, 17:47

I have a 1989 Volvo 245, 186K, with an erratic heater blower. I have read that fan motor speed issues like erratic operation and running in high speed only are frequently related to a failing heater blower motor resistor pack that is supposed to be located "on the side of the blower cage". I have removed the left and right plastic console panels and loosened entire center lower dash section in front of the blower assembly. I see nothing that resembles the image of the unit with a bright green resistor that I see available on line.

Where is the Heater Blower Motor Resistor pack on a 1989 volvo 245?

Thank you,

Post by **jimmy57** » 09 Apr 2014, 22:36

You take apart the left side end case. The blower wheel comes off and then the resistor is held on that lug in the photo above by one of the blower motor screws. The blower is a suction motor, i.e., it pulls air across the heater core and evaporator core and then pushes it out the vents. The resistor is mounted so the air coming in comes across the resistor. The plug is rounded so it will pass through that hole at bottom forward case that the grommet shown seals.

Get a blower motor kit with motor and resistor. Blower motor brushes wearing out give that same sympton of fails to work on lower speeds and will work on high. Those resistors are tough. They fail when overheated by a dragging blower motor loading the resistor too much. Either way to get in that deep and not do the motor would likely be a mistake.

Post by **mtd240** » 10 Apr 2014, 07:00

Here is the guide I followed.

Took me ~7-8 hours, at a leisurely pace, with no major hang-ups.

roberto frances · Post by **roberto frances** » 10 Apr 2014, 10:48

Ouch... I've owned this 1989 245 since 1992, it has been very durable for the most part and even has the original clutch (many find this hard to believe) and front struts are still operational. It looks very good and has been we'll cared for with very little rust.

I've done a lot of the work myself including most recently an entire new brake system… everything except a few brake lines and the booster.

There is no noise from the blower only erratic speed function when using the switch.

Unfortunately having a new blower motor installed may be beyond the realm of possibilities at this point. I was hoping to have the blower motor resistor replaced only. A local repair shop very familiar with 240's told me this was possible.

Many thanks for the prompt responses!

RF

Post by **rgk** » 13 Apr 2014, 18:13

It's not too terribly difficult of a job. If you're large-bodied, it can be uncomfortable. Removing the seats is a must.

Post by **jimmy57** » 13 Apr 2014, 21:17

The problem is that you will be spending very close to the same money and may have a broken blower afterwards.
If the shop cuts a 2 inch hole in center of RH side end cover they can remove the RH blower wheel clip.
All the hard work is on the LH side. The hole on RH side can be covered with a piece of thin paneling gauge plywood or most anything glued over hole.

I see VDO blower motors on Ebay for $35 shipped.

Of course the first thing to is to get a good diagnosis. IF the blower motor connector has voltage on those lower speeds when the blower is off then it is the motor. IF not then resistor and switch are suspects to be checked.

roberto frances · Post by **roberto frances** » 11 Jun 2014, 10:01

I had the resistor and blower motor replaced (at a very reasonable cost by a Volvo fanatic… in front of his house!), traditional method, no cutting. Old resistor was fried, the original motor won't turn even with the fan blades removed.

Blower works in all speeds!

Question; now the blower runs in #1 speed with blower switch in "off" position when the car is running. The blower stops when switch is in the "off" position while the ignition switch is on and the engine is not running.

I've been told that it has something to do with the AC (converted to 134, which needs a charge) and not the blower switch as originally thought.

Thanks,

93Regina · Post by **93Regina** » 26 Mar 2016, 20:09

roberto frances wrote:Question; now the blower runs in #1 speed with blower switch in "off" position when the car is running. The blower stops when switch is in the "off" position while the ignition switch is on and the engine is not running.

Turn Off your A/C Switch...when engaged, it turns on low speed fan within 10 seconds.

: Capture.PNG (30.57 KiB) Viewed 3063 times