1994 850 Blower motor stops working after a minute! Topic is solved

[NYVolvo1994]

Hello,

I am new here, please bare with me. I did a lot of research without finding the right answer.

My car is 1994 850 Turbo with electronic climate control. The blower motor is about one year old. Recently, when I turn blower on, it works for about a minute and then stops. It will not turn on again till I turn the engine off, and start again and then works for another minute and then stops again.

Is this a known problem?
What should I look for? (resistor?)

Thank you for any help in advance!

[dorvin]

Do you notice the blower motor slowing down gradually before it stops?

[NYVolvo1994]

No it does not slow down. Works on all the speeds normally even on auto but stops within a period of (1-5) min. Just turns off. I turn off/ on the engine and works again for the period till stops again. Does it sound like the resistor?

Thanks!

[NYVolvo1994]

I am wondering, is it possible that if blower motor after lots of use may need lubrication. If that is not smooth enough may trigger the resistor to stop the fan because of too much amps?

[oragex]

If the bearings are seizing they will squeal like a busted mouse
I'd say resistor, maybe it warms up then fails. Was it original Volvo part? It sells used off Ebay

[NYVolvo1994]

The replacement fan was Behr I think and is about a year old. Resistor never been changed. There is no sounds from the blower.

My problem is that I don't want to buy a resistor while that may not be the problem, or take the fan out and lubricate ... just need to know what maybe the problem before diving into it.

[abscate]

Its a pretty easy job to remove on an 850 - much easier than a P2.

I would guess motor over resistor but thats a 3/6 Swedish Roulette choice.

[NYVolvo1994]

OK, here is what I would do:
1- I would disconnect the battery for few days to see if codes clear and everything works, if not;
2- I will lubricate the Blower and see if problem resolves;
2- if problem persist, I change the resistor;

How-many agree that this is the right approach and in exchange you have my words that I report back about the outcome! Resistor is about a $100 and do not want to order one before being sure am I missing anything?

Thank you!

[scot850]

On a 94 can you not clear the codes using the test box under the hood? Don't think disconnecting the battery will necessarily clear the codes, even touching the 2 battery cables together may not so that.

Been a long time since I had a pre-95 850 so anyone that knows these please jump in!

Otherwise that is a good idea. I would just pull the under dash panel and glove box liner and just leave them out. Don't forget to pull the glove box light bulb while leaving the liner out or it will drain your battery.

Otherwise the theory is sound.

Do you have ECC (electronic climate control) or MCC (manual climate control). ECC has 2 temp sensors to measure cabin temps. They are fitted into the grab handles in the roof by the front seats and above the doors. There is a small hole in the grab handle plastic and the little fan motor sensor are in behind there. Nobody ever removes them and they clog with air-born crap over the years and then the sensors can't measure correctly. The have a little fan motor on them so remove and clean them. These parts can also fail. If they don't sense, then the system won't run!

Neil.

[NYVolvo1994]

Thank you Neil and other members for the advise. I have ECC and I do believe that its possible to clear codes with simply disconnecting the battery for more than 48 hours. I have cleared the false Lambda codes with this method.

I will work on the problem starting next Monday and will report the solution.

Happy Thanksgiving to all the members!