heater blower not working at all speeds Options

[alfizta]

Hi all!

Like in title. Blower already dead sometime ago. Yesterday smell of burnt plastic was coming off the vents at the centre console. Today checked blower fuse on the fusebox, it was burned. Switched for a new one, tried and no blower at all. Fuse is now OK. Then removed the centre console from the way, well I actually broke it as it is so hard to take it off. Checked various plugs, but all were fine. Any clues what to check? Thank you very much.

146 1.6 TS my 1997, metal engine top, fusebox A type

[Ganz]

Hi all!

Like in title. Blower already dead sometime ago. Yesterday smell of burnt plastic was coming off the vents at the centre console. Today checked blower fuse on the fusebox, it was burned. Switched for a new one, tried and no blower at all. Fuse is now OK. Then removed the centre console from the way, well I actually broke it as it is so hard to take it off. Checked various plugs, but all were fine. Any clues what to check? Thank you very much.

146 1.6 TS my 1997, metal engine top, fusebox A type

Sorry to hear that mate. I don't really know what it could be. You might want to look at the 145 manual in the troubleshooting electrical section. Its a really good resource that has helped me no end. Best of luck.

This post has been edited by Ganz: 4th January 2020 21:26

[alfizta]

Thanks for the reply, Ganz! Already been on the service manual all the way. For what I may have perceived, there is a possibility that I have missed the connector that goes directly to the fan. Maybe it is behind all the dashboard hardware... Will check that tomorrow. It is a pity, as I have made many minor repairs in the recent past, and still is a Joy to ride. This way is quite a useless car in winter weather... Never the less, will try to be a more present member. We are all in the same boat.

[Harpo]

If I read your post correctly, you seemed surprised that the dead fan remained dead after replacing the fuse.
Does that fuse supply something else as well? If the fan was already dead and not drawing a current then I can’t see why the fuse would heat up and smell.
Is everything else working correctly?

At the moment my fan only works on the highest setting. From what I have read it’s the resistor near the glove box that has gone.
I need to strip it down and fix it. If I can get to the fan I will also replace that as it’s a little noisy. There is always something to do!

This post has been edited by Harpo: 5th January 2020 02:25

[alfizta]

Fuse does not supply any other component. It's a 30 A fuse with the fan icon above. Everything else is working. Hope will not confuse us with next details, but I found the fuse a bit misplaced (a bit off/outside) of where it should sit, metal burned, plastic melted but not burned. It was replaced but no fan joy. I am sure the burnt plastic smell comes from the vents, or it was, cause looks like it has burned all it could, as I've been driving the car and the smell is gone.

[alfizta]

hello, people! glad as at least I think I found the cause. managed to remove the fan, check continuity, and it was about 3 Ohm. Service manual power, voltage and current data leads me to conclude it should be about 1 Ohm. Then plugged directly to battery terminals and no joy. so, appears that is a new fan for me.

[alfizta]

well, resistance varies much as I manually rotate the fan. this is an electric motor...
found melted plastic near the brushes area. look they are worn. not much to do, then.

[dante giacosa]

well, resistance varies much as I manually rotate the fan. this is an electric motor...
found melted plastic near the brushes area. look they are worn. not much to do, then.

I wish I'd read this earlier!

Yes: fan itself (I'm on my third- admittedly some of them were 2nd hand) or resistor-pack..

[alfizta]

hope to find a 2nd hand for me too.

[alfizta]

mine is a phase 2, I think. although ePER doesn't mention it, I wonder if the phase 1 version of the blower is compatible...

[dante giacosa]

I can't confirm it as definite; but I would expect it is- the one I bought was generically for the model, with no mention of year

And the one I'm running now, is actually out of a FIAT Coupe!!

(and works fine)

[alfizta]

I can't confirm it as definite; but I would expect it is- the one I bought was generically for the model, with no mention of year

And the one I'm running now, is actually out of a FIAT Coupe!!

(and works fine)

That was really where I was trying to get. Phase 1 part number is shared by a lot of FIAT and Lancia models. That would massively raise my chances to get one on the 2nd hand market. And guess what, I got one that looks exactly the same from a FIAT Brava. Will try it tomorrow

[alfizta]

And works spot on!
Also read on the web that is possible to replace only the brushes from the fan motor, and you will be left with an near brand new blower.

[dante giacosa]

that's great news!

from a problem solving point of view; TOTAL fan-failure would point to the fan,

whereas failure on a number of speeds would point to the resistor pack...


Refurbish them you say?

Hmm- I've got two in my kitchen!! I feel a business opportunity coming on!

[alfizta]

google search

[dante giacosa]

Ooh!

Thanks for that!

[alfizta]

not know which brushes are compatible. there are also some videos on youtube showing how to do it. One thing I assure you, will try the repair when the time comes.

[Harpo]

Since the fan is most likely on all the time the ignition is on then the bearings will wear, so replacement is sensible considering the work involved.
So are they available still from Alfa?

[alfizta]

putting it in a simple way, yes. just some versions are not available.

[Ganz]

I might have to read this post intently. The other day I had no heat, then after 20 minutes the heat kicked in. When you talk about the fan are you talking about the green one under the windscreen wipers?