Blower motor help needed

ajr2820 · Post by **ajr2820** » 30 Nov 2012, 07:47

Recently, my blower motor ceased to operate. There was no weird noises or any other indication of a problem. I have the ECC system BTW. I found that the fuse had blown so I replaced it, but that was not the issue as it blew the new one immediately. In my reading up on this issue, it appears there is also a resistor of some sort that could be involved as well. My question is for anyone who may have had a similar failure. What is the procedure for determining which part has failed? What is the likely problem? I do not want to tear it apart without having a clear idea of the (likely) real problem (i.e. thinking the blower motor is the issue when I should be looking at the resistor or switch first). Getting the windows cleared on these cold mornings has been a PITA!

Post by **jblackburn** » 30 Nov 2012, 07:50

Fan removal is not too difficult - just remove the glove box liner and kick plate at the bottom of the dash.

If you have a battery charger that puts out 10 amps or so, hook the fan directly to it and see if it'll run. See if it spins freely or appears to bind on something like bad bearings.

buffmont · Post by **buffmont** » 30 Nov 2012, 08:42

My gimmick fix only lasted one week, then the motor would operate , or not , depending on how hard a bump I hit. Then I noticed a faint smell of burning and assumed the motor was stalled and maybe shorting. So I gave up the trick fix and bought a new motor from Direct Auto online, free delivery, no tax and only $60 bucks with they say a lifetime warranty.

DrewsT5 · Post by **DrewsT5** » 30 Nov 2012, 09:41

I'm curious to hear your feedback with the new part once installed. I am need of this part and so far the prices for the Behr unit ranges from $170 - $180 online, and the economy versions range from $110 - $125. I want to buy a new one and not just get a pick n pull part to only break down in the near future, but I'm also putting off the expense of the new part. If this $60 part functions well and is not noisy, then I might bite the bullet and get it. I also need to get the resistor, but I don't see that on their website.

Post by **Pauloil** » 30 Nov 2012, 15:34

DrewsT5 wrote:I'm curious to hear your feedback with the new part once installed. I am need of this part and so far the prices for the Behr unit ranges from $170 - $180 online, and the economy versions range from $110 - $125. I want to buy a new one and not just get a pick n pull part to only break down in the near future, but I'm also putting off the expense of the new part. If this $60 part functions well and is not noisy, then I might bite the bullet and get it. I also need to get the resistor, but I don't see that on their website.

basically, you get what you pay for. the Behr unit is worth the extra money. the economy versions are likely to blow a lot sooner . you can tell if you need new thermostat by checking the fuse for continuity.

Post by **precopster** » 01 Dec 2012, 07:21

Don't know if it's visible in the photo but can you see the words Delco Products USA and Valeo further down as well as Volvo France written on the outer plastic motor casing. This is an original motor from a '99 V70..... this thing is such a mongrel.

ajr2820 · Post by **ajr2820** » 01 Dec 2012, 09:53

So, I removed the fan and tested it. It works when power is put to it from the battery. So, I guess I'm moving towards the resistor. Question #1: Where is it located? Question #2: Is there a test method for it?

ajr2820 · Post by **ajr2820** » 01 Dec 2012, 10:33

OK. Not sure what happened. Found the resistor after looking at a pic of one on the parts store website. Took it all apart...nothing on the circuit board looked burnt. Put it all back together to test for voltage along the circuit and...it all works fine again! Loose wire was all I could figure...oh well, never look a gift horse in the mouth.

Post by **Pauloil** » 01 Dec 2012, 15:26

i just replaced mine in my 99, before it could burn out and burn up the resistor

SUPERBRIK · Post by **SUPERBRIK** » 01 Dec 2012, 22:16

When removing the fan motor, clean out all of the debris and then on the motor, check the motor brushes. They could be worn from, say 12 to 20 years of spinning. The brushes can be had on eBay and the last time I checked they were about 29.00 bux...
Just a possibility.