Strange a/c and blower issues

[NightDriver]

Bit of a strange one, but hoping someone might have an idea...!

Today I've noticed that the blower motor on my Exige has become asthmatic. When I first start up and drive it's great, blowing fully on all 3 settings and ice cool, but after about 20-30mins the blower seems to die down until it eventually seems to stop completely. However, even when it is not feeding any air to the cabin it still sounds as though it's running and all 3 speeds still work (although only result in a change of noise from the blower motor rather than any change of airflow).

If I park it up and leave it for 20mins then for the first 20mins of driving it will be back to normal.

It seems to point to something in the blower area getting hot and shutting down, but not really got any ideas what it could be. I know about the resistor block issue but from what I understand it tends to stop the fan speeds working altogether.

Any ideas anyone?

[400SE Dave]

Still sounds like resistor pack to me. When mine went it did start going intermittently at first.

[grumpy]

Yep, sounds like the resistor pack. Clam off job to put right, (not sure if thats all models). I had mine done a few weeks ago.

[Beachbum]

grumpy said:

Yep, sounds like the resistor pack. Clam off job to put right, (not sure if thats all models). I had mine done a few weeks ago.

I have to get this done too. Any indication on cost nowadays ?

One other Q to all. I had the resistor pack replaced under warranty about 8yrs ago, with the requisite change to the placement of the pack done too. If this has broken again, do I have a chance of getting Lotus to pick up the tab, if it is water ingress again ?

[kambites]

Can't be the resistor pack if he can still hear the fans? Unless it's the AC compressor he's hearing and that gears up and down depending on the fan speed?

[kambites]

Beachbum said:

I have to get this done too. Any indication on cost nowadays ?

I think it's usually quoted at around four to six hours plus the part.

And no, I wouldn't imagine you have any hope of getting money our of Lotus if it's lasted eight years. I've never heard of the later resistor pack failing, though.

[Russell Mc]

I would disconnect the feed pipe from the heater/blower and stick your hand down there to see if you can feel blowing

[grumpy]

Beachbum said:

I have to get this done too. Any indication on cost nowadays ?

If you have to take the clam off it's worth looking at getting a few other things done at the same time. I had a new all ally rad, the Lotus one has plastic end caps, silicon rad hoses, s/s brake hoses and a s/s tow post, they have a tendancy to rust and fail causing a lot of damage to the front of the car.
So I'm not sure how much getting the resistor pack on it's own would cost. I think the Elise parts resistor pack is about £95 or there abouts.

[NightDriver]

Pretty sure it's not the resistor pack, all fan speeds were still working and still are.

I think it was actually the condenser freezing up. Went out tonight for a long drive and was fine, only difference was I had the a/c a few clicks from full cold. When the clams next off I'll make sure the thermocouple hasn't dropped off the condenser core but it seems ok at the moment.