Blower Fan Not Working

[daveknight11]

Hi all.

I have a 51 plate Galaxy 1.9 TDI ghia with climate control. My problem is I have no hot air coming through the air vents into the car. There is no front blower noise at all, whatever mode I select on the climate control, yet the display shows the fan on full. The temperature gauge shows the engine is running at normal temperature and the rear heater is blowing (with only luke warm air coming out - glow plug possibly). Recently had new water pump 6 months ago along with cambelt change. Car is freezing cold and need to sort out ASAP as car is a run as a plated taxi and is my only income. Can't work if car is cold. Please help me out here...

[mk2vr6]

usually problem when the fan isnt working is the speed control resistor has failed! but this normally still allows the fan to run on full blast, so I would start by pulling the fan from the housing and checking that it still spins? and then testing its operation by jury rigging a supply to it, if it spins up then your problem is further back in the system! good luck ;)

[daveknight11]

usually problem when the fan isnt working is the speed control resistor has failed! but this normally still allows the fan to run on full blast, so I would start by pulling the fan from the housing and checking that it still spins? and then testing its operation by jury rigging a supply to it, if it spins up then your problem is further back in the system! good luck ;)

 

Cheers. Will see if i can get to it to test your idea.

[mk2vr6]

remove the lower glove box and you can gain access to the majority of the parts you need to check

[daveknight11]

remove the lower glove box and you can gain access to the majority of the parts you need to check

 

thanks for that, that helps a lot.

Also had a suggestion it might be the resistor pack !

[chromedome]

With the glove box removed you will see the resistor pack on the side of the heater assembly, usually green or red in colour. As you have climate control the resistor pack is also known as the hedgehog.

[mk2vr6]

remove the lower glove box and you can gain access to the majority of the parts you need to check

 

thanks for that, that helps a lot.

Also had a suggestion it might be the resistor pack !

 

I called it the speed control resistor as I could remember its name! even if this fails you normally still have max speed as this setting isnt controlled by the resistor pack! hence why I suggested starting at the motor and working your back through the circuit, I just did the same on a Mitsi Delica, finally traced the problem back to a small brass contact in the speed control switch! after three hours of trying to follow a Japanese wireing diagram! without the aid of a translator ;)

[big_kev]

Hi all.

I have a 51 plate Galaxy 1.9 TDI ghia with climate control. My problem is I have no hot air coming through the air vents into the car. There is no front blower noise at all, whatever mode I select on the climate control, yet the display shows the fan on full.

 

The "hedgehog" unit has failed, as mentioned located behind the glovebox ( obvious wiring connected to the blower motor, only 1 screw to remove it. ).

 

Most likely you will find it has burnt out connections ( you may be able to repair this by resoldering and cleaning the contacts ( remove the red( or black) plastic cover ).

 

Alternatively if its a rush job you can nick the one out of the rear heater (remove internal trim panel) as they should be identical and you can then replace this at a later date.

"Let the rear seat passenger huggle together to keep warm".

 

 

On the Climate Control versions failure of this unit will kill all fan speeds,

On Manual air-con versions failure of the similar "resistor pack" will only kill the slower speeds.

[daveknight11]

UPDATE

I have tried swapping the "hedgehog" unit but to o avail.

I did notice that the front fan seems to work very slowly and very, very intermmittently. It sounds like its slowing down to a stop from the minimum speed and knocks on rotating.

I'm guessing that the blower fan has seen better days and needs replacing.

[big_kev]

Is the rear fan the same make model ( ie can it be swapped to test it ) ?

[daveknight11]

Swapping the "hedgehog" unit made no difference. The front blower stilll didn't work nd the rear did work. The units were both the same.

[seatkid]

Wrong tree folks!

 

Climate control versions (with LCD display) do not control fan speed using a resistor. The control unit supplies a variable (PWM) voltage. Mine once packed in (on a very hot day), but came back later after the engine had been switched off.

 

Check if there is a fuse for the fan(s).

 

Try disconnecting the car battery for a couple of minutes (dont forget you will need to recode the radio). This may reset the climate control unit. Otherwise you may have a faulty fan or wiring/connector.

Edited November 29, 2009 by seatkid

[big_kev]

Wrong tree folks!

 

Climate control versions (with LCD display) do not control fan speed using a resistor. The control unit supplies a variable (PWM) voltage.

 

The control unit supplies a variable ( PWM ) to a transistor ( MOSFET probably ) inside the "hedgehog" unit.

 

The "hedgehog" unit then acts as a variable resistance in series with the blower motor.

The end result is pretty much the the same as having a "resistor pack" as used in the manual models.

 

Easily checked by measuring the voltages in and out of the "hedgehog".

 

If the Fan works flat out when you provide a 12v feed to it, then its not the fan.

[seatkid]

Damn you BK - youre right again!

 

Check F21 (25A) and F22 (30A) - these are the fan blower fuses (F21 rear F22 front)

[big_kev]

Damn you BK - youre right again!

 

Still no excuse for not wishing me Happy Birthday though ! ;)

[daveknight11]

Happy birthday BK.

 

UPDATE

fuses all OK.

Been on a run to Bristol (about 44 mile round trip).

Climate control set to 24 degrees. Outside temp at 7 degrees. Display shows front blower should be operating at 5 out of 7 bars yet no blower noise. Rear unit also showing 5 of 7 bars but blower is operating correctly. Did notice at one oint in the journey, the front indicator did drop to 0 bars and gradually go back up to normal operating speed. It did that several times.

My hunch keeps telling me the blower has worm out but I would have thought I would of felt more heat through the vents as my road speed increased.

[big_kev]

Happy birthday BK.

 

Thanks

 

Did notice at one point in the journey, the front indicator did drop to 0 bars and gradually go back up to normal operating speed. It did that several times.

 

Normal Operation....it will (try to ) vary the fan speed to adjust the internal cabin temperature.

 

Give the blower motor a straight 12v feed and see if it works

[Mirez]

Happy birthday BK.

 

UPDATE

fuses all OK.

Been on a run to Bristol (about 44 mile round trip).

Climate control set to 24 degrees. Outside temp at 7 degrees. Display shows front blower should be operating at 5 out of 7 bars yet no blower noise. Rear unit also showing 5 of 7 bars but blower is operating correctly. Did notice at one oint in the journey, the front indicator did drop to 0 bars and gradually go back up to normal operating speed. It did that several times.

My hunch keeps telling me the blower has worm out but I would have thought I would of felt more heat through the vents as my road speed increased.

 

Should have driven to westbury instead and had your fault codes read! As suggested its a simple test to determine if the blowers at fault - put 12V direct onto the blowers connector. Full speed then its not at fault!

[big_kev]

put 12V direct onto the blowers connector. Full speed then its not at fault!

 

Quick....but not quick enough.... ;)

[daveknight11]

Should have driven to westbury instead and had your fault codes read! As suggested its a simple test to determine if the blowers at fault - put 12V direct onto the blowers connector. Full speed then its not at fault!

 

I'll give the direct voltage idea a try, but not sure where to find the blower unit itself (not knowing much about the layout under the dash).

I know I can take out the two top gloveboxes out but how accessible is the blower unit?

[mk2vr6]

remove the lower glove box and you can gain access to the majority of the parts you need to check

[Mirez]

You wont get anywhere removing the top boxes, its the main box you need to remove.

[big_kev]

but not sure where to find the blower unit itself (not knowing much about the layout under the dash).

I know I can take out the two top gloveboxes out but how accessible is the blower unit?

 

WTF ?

 

How did you not see the blower when changing the hedgehog ?

 

 

 

Note : this is a mirror image of a LHD picture ( stole it ! )

 

 

 

 

 

Or another pic below

 

 

 

 

( yes I stole this picture as well )

 

The red hedgehog unit is clearly visible at the lower left .

The blower fan is encased in foam insulation.

Edited November 29, 2009 by big_kev

[daveknight11]

Are the front and rear blowers the same unit? If so, can I swap them temporarily?

[big_kev]

Are the front and rear blowers the same unit? If so, can I swap them temporarily?

 

Very similar but may be different ......best to physically look and see.

 

The control unit (hedgehog/resistor ) are identical though.