Front blower fan - blowing a fuse - FIXED

[Navy_Flyer]

My front heater fan was working OK, albeit squeaky motor on low and med speed. Now it is blowing a fuse every time I try to turn it on. Could it be the fan motor is finally kaput, or only the in-dash resistor? Not looking forward to a dash removal......
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1987 Westfalia, Automatic. EJ25 VANARU Conversion

[dobryan]

Sounds like the fan bearing finally seized?
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[Terry Kay]

Kaput, Finito, Morta, Arriva Derchi.

It's all done, toast, fried.
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T.K.

[Navy_Flyer]

Thought so..... well at least I know what I'll be doing for the next couple of weekends. Thoughts on best brand of new blower? I see Meyle is avail from BD and Febi/Bilstein or Dansk/Thermex is avail from VC. Not sure of the brand at GW but they're on sale at GW and I have some unused GW Bucks.
Do any of the new fans have sealed bearings now? Geez - don't want to do this again anytime soon.
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1987 Westfalia, Automatic. EJ25 VANARU Conversion

[0to60in6min]

it's time to play the "Taps"

I am my way to replace mine too.. but removing the dash! ! ! OUCH ! !

[Navy_Flyer]

[bluebus86]

at first sign of bearingnnoise, stop using the fan, if so the fan will not be damaged and the bearings relibed for another three decades of service.

in this case, maybe your lucky and the fuse protected the fan electrically and you can simply relube it, so long as the windings did not short out or go open from excess current draw.


good luck


ps my fan currently sits unused as it has just started to make noise, one of these days I will deal with it.
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Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information

Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022

[Navy_Flyer]

[Ahwahnee]

[maco70]

just be aware please...

A fuse is protection, so it means a lot of current ask.

Some, as we, have experienced a fire dash so be alert about it.

Hope it helps.
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Martin from Montréal

1986 Vanagon GL full camper westfalia
(brown/tan interior)

[bluebus86]

[Navy_Flyer]

[Navy_Flyer]

[Howesight]

Having had my dash in and out about 30 times when fabricating my front AC system, I can advise that it is not nearly as bad a job as many believe. Ben's instructions are right on and the tip about the heater controls is pure gold for saving time.

If you are working alone, (after disconnecting all the bits in Ben's photo guide), you should remove all the dash fasteners except the centre Phillips screw (right near the windshield), and that screw will hold the dash in place. Now sit on a board that straddles the front seats or on a crate between the seats, remove that last screw and pull the dash onto your lap. Now scooch your butt, with the dash on your lap, over to one door or the other. Easy peasy. Installation is reverse of this. BTDT.

One other tip: The 2 dash air vents are easy to remove and install and when re-installing the dash, you might find it a lot easier to install the dash first and then install the vents.

Here's a pic that Wildthings posted a long time ago. The grill is removed by pushing it to one side and then pulling it out. The tabs in the four corners then are accessible and you use a pick to pull the tabs toward the centre of the vent to release the whole vent.

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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[bluebus86]

it probably is pretty easy after thirty times, heck is probably a lot easier the fifth time verses the first. for me the first time, what a pain to even think about. I hope I never have to be really experienced with this, once is enough.,

check out the rubber seals on the air vanes in the ventilation system, if worn or missing, you get bothersome air leaks, replace if suspect with fresh. neoprene foam works good for seals, like wet suit material

service wiper system good connections, joints lubed, look for leaks.

heater core, probably it is fine, but since it is thirty or so years old, whats the labour saving doing it now verses when in fails, thats a what you have to ask, is the system do for a flush now?

do I stop there, new valve, new hoses, oh heck how about all new hoses to and from engine? snowball rolling down hill.

disconnect battery before dash removal!!!! plenty of unfused connections can be exposed

of couse you have taken proactive action on the fuel system in engine bay, new lined hoses, bulkhead fotting removal, pressure regulator vacuum hose upgrades, all metal fuel rails, all real show stoppers if failure, kaboom!!

good luck
_________________
Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information

Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022

[Navy_Flyer]

[dhaavers]

Just in case you're the "$10-mod-easy-to replace <vs> $60-OG-pain-in-the-a$$-if-it-goes-again" type guy...

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=623382&highlight=

Git 'r done!

- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[0to60in6min]

thinking about it....

they should put in a 3 sections dash board...

we just remove the middle section, the radio and replace the blower.. all could be done under 2 hours without stress and pain..

I am stressed out already just thinking about removing the whole dash board... ughh

[ragnarhairybreeks]

Let us know how you get on with this. Pulling the fan off the shaft to get at the external side of the inboard bearing looks like a chore

I've got around four extra fans in my stash. Two good and two needing overhaul. If you manage to devise a good way of pulling the squirrel cage please post.

Alistair

[ThankYouJerry]