Climate unit blower replacement

Post by **xHeart** » 18 Nov 2014, 14:35

Ordered the resistor, blower fan, and the pollen filter for this climate project.
Volvo prices are just right.

I will have the parts at hand while I go over the fan and resistor service and repair.

Too cold to not take it seriously.

Post by **jreed** » 19 Nov 2014, 05:26

xHeart-- I did run the new blower motor for a few minutes first, using a battery charger, to "break in" the brushes before installing it in the car. I read this tip a few years ago on MVS somewhere. I have no idea if it's really necessary or not of course.

Post by **xHeart** » 19 Nov 2014, 12:11

jreed wrote:xHeart-- I did run the new blower motor for a few minutes first, using a battery charger, to "break in" the brushes before installing it in the car. I read this tip a few years ago on MVS somewhere. I have no idea if it's really necessary or not of course.

I am thinking about "break in the brushes before installing".
There is a video by Robert where he plugs it back and test runs the blower at footwell. Any risk in taking Robert's steps?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 19 Nov 2014, 17:35

Not really, just hang onto it. The torque from the motor will make it want to jump out of your hands. I hooked mine up to run forward and backwards a few times while it was loose to get the lube worked into the bushings.

...Lee

Post by **xHeart** » 20 Nov 2014, 14:30

Ozark Lee wrote:Not really, just hang onto it. The torque from the motor will make it want to jump out of your hands. I hooked mine up to run forward and backwards a few times while it was loose to get the lube worked into the bushings.

...Lee

Helpful!
...but backwards (pause), how?

I flipped the connector over and reversed the polarity. It was the connector inside of the case, not the one on the case since it only goes on one way.

...Lee

Post by **xHeart** » 24 Nov 2014, 06:15

Blower fan, resistor, and cabin filter were replaced with new, all Volvo.
Hand-held "breaking brushes" was non eventful. Fuse #5 controls fan speed 4, and #31 for 1,2, and 3.
Glove compartment fastening points needed rebuild, only one had survived the time and removal.

Few photos...

: access to blower fan and resistor before removal; MVS_0547.jpg (782.51 KiB) Viewed 1525 times

: cabin filter before new installed; MVS_0548.jpg (538.52 KiB) Viewed 1525 times

850TurboTurtle · Post by **850TurboTurtle** » 20 Nov 2015, 00:39

Ozark Lee wrote:
I had to re-oil it a couple of times along the way and repeat the process. So far it is working but we shall see how it does in the long run.
...Lee

Hey, Lee - how much life did you get out of this blower motor repair back in 09?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 20 Nov 2015, 16:52

It is still running.

...Lee

Post by **xHeart** » 24 Nov 2015, 09:49

1st anniversary of repair and replacement on '97 850.
Using warm cabin air to clear windows, and softening the morning frost over windshield before activating wiper function. All works except driver's sideview mirror defrost.

Post by **cn90** » 24 Nov 2015, 10:41

One year ago (Dec 2014), I added 2 drops of oil at each end on the bushings.
So far so good, no issues.

The problems with most of these blower motors, whether it is BMW or Volvo, is that: there is no ball bearing. It is basically a shaft running on a bushing: I don't know the exact reason why engineers used bushing instead of bearing.

Anyway, a few drops of oil every 5-6y will keep the blower motor running for a long time.