Noisy Air Sample Fan in S80 control console

Bill Wilkins · Post by **Bill Wilkins** » 29 Sep 2005, 12:36

Have had a noisy air sample fan behine the air conditioning control console panel for a while and it's driving me nuts. Garage wants a fortune to replace it (as usual). Fan only costs a fairly small amount to buy as a part but I've no idea how to get behind the central console and don't really want to experiment with a screwdriver blade to find hidden clips. Haynes don't produce an S80 handbook (obviously not popular enough).

So I'm wondering; how the hell do you get the centre console out (lower portion below radio) without damaging anything and without messing anything up (I heard that if you mess with the console you can trigger the air bag warning lights !)

If anybody can help advise on releasing the console it would be most appreciated, and if anyone has replaced the said fan then their advice would also be appreciated.

Bill.

SkyWriter · Post by **SkyWriter** » 15 Oct 2005, 19:18

hrm, can't address your problem directly. but my fan often runs 'quietly' even when the car is off. perheps this is a remove the whole console operation; general those are the really expensive ones. in my last volvo (740 wagon) the blower would make horrible noises, that was an expensive fix

eli · Post by **eli** » 16 Oct 2005, 02:12

The climate control is fairly easy to remove. The aspirator fan is mounted behind the climate control, and is removable as well.
The trim piece around the shifter has to be removed first - just pry up on it, and pull it forward a little. You will have enough room to see two screws under the climate control. Unscrew those, and then pull and push down on the climate control at the same time. It's tight, you may have to wiggle it a liittle.
Do not unplug the connectors behind the climate control once you have it out. If you do, your airbag light in the cluster display will come on and stay on, requiring a trip to the dealer to reset it.

You may be able to just clean the little fan instead of replacing it. I used compressed air from a can.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 17 Oct 2005, 03:17

Cheers Eli,

I got the climate control panel off as you specified and found that the fan is detachable from the climate control unit. Cleaning the fan didn't fix it, but a new fan did.

Nice and quiet again now.

Thanks,

Bill.

eli · Post by **eli** » 17 Oct 2005, 22:14

You're welcome, glad everything worked out.