9-3 Vector (2004) heater blower not working
Discussion
So I had my car in for its MOT and all was well... Apart from getting it back to find the heater blower not working.
I still get hot air coming through the vents, but there's just no fan whatsoever. Not even the sounds of a fan trying and failing to work.
Given that it was working fine before the garage had it I'm going to guess that there's some stupid, easy solution to this which I can do myself and which the garage simply didn't bother to do... That's my hope, anyway!
What could it be? Am I going to have to make the garage sort it for me or can I sort this easily myself?
I still get hot air coming through the vents, but there's just no fan whatsoever. Not even the sounds of a fan trying and failing to work.
Given that it was working fine before the garage had it I'm going to guess that there's some stupid, easy solution to this which I can do myself and which the garage simply didn't bother to do... That's my hope, anyway!
What could it be? Am I going to have to make the garage sort it for me or can I sort this easily myself?
I believe the heater blower motor is a common failure. I had something similar although mine didn’t fail - it just made an awful screech!
There’s plenty of resources over on UKSaabs. You need to lift the passenger side of the shuttle panel and the piece of plastic that sits beneath it, remove the pollen filter and lubricate the motor. If you can't see the motor, you'll need to turn off air recirculation.
It’s water ingress that causes the problem so it’s worth removing the filter housing and replacing the seal while you’re there. I used draft excluder but you could also use silicon sealant. Most people turn the motor by hand while spraying WD-40. I used some 3 in 1 oil and haven’t had a problem since.
There’s plenty of resources over on UKSaabs. You need to lift the passenger side of the shuttle panel and the piece of plastic that sits beneath it, remove the pollen filter and lubricate the motor. If you can't see the motor, you'll need to turn off air recirculation.
It’s water ingress that causes the problem so it’s worth removing the filter housing and replacing the seal while you’re there. I used draft excluder but you could also use silicon sealant. Most people turn the motor by hand while spraying WD-40. I used some 3 in 1 oil and haven’t had a problem since.
There is a built in diagnostic .... hold off and auto together I think.
If SID says anything other than "0" there is a problem. The number tells you what the problem is - should be able to google it.
You may find this clears the fault and the blower starts working. If not they're not very expensive ... but can be an sod to fit as they only just fit into the gap. You'll need a windscreen wiper removal tool too.
- this is from a 9-5 owner .... may be different on 9-3 but probably similar.
If SID says anything other than "0" there is a problem. The number tells you what the problem is - should be able to google it.
You may find this clears the fault and the blower starts working. If not they're not very expensive ... but can be an sod to fit as they only just fit into the gap. You'll need a windscreen wiper removal tool too.
- this is from a 9-5 owner .... may be different on 9-3 but probably similar.
beaten to it - ignore most of what i've written here !!
the motors seize quite readily owing to the ingress of water and crud via blocked drain tubes. you can get at the fan blades to attempt manually turning the motor from behind/under the pollen filter. if the motor needs removing then it's an "upside down in the footwell" event. glovebox needs removing to allow access.
seized motors can also fry the resistor/control unit so check this and the fuse before dismantling everything, you may need either or both of these as well.
paul
the motors seize quite readily owing to the ingress of water and crud via blocked drain tubes. you can get at the fan blades to attempt manually turning the motor from behind/under the pollen filter. if the motor needs removing then it's an "upside down in the footwell" event. glovebox needs removing to allow access.
seized motors can also fry the resistor/control unit so check this and the fuse before dismantling everything, you may need either or both of these as well.
paul
Edited by paulmakin on Sunday 4th March 10:50
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