Corsa D Heat Blower Issue

[mickey88]

I have a 2009 Corsa D Ecoflex Diesel. When i turn the car on with the heater setting at 1/2/3 the fan doesn't seem to switch on and after around 30 seconds there is smoke coming through the vents. If I turn the air to zero then back up to 1/2/3/4, it then works as normal and no longer smokes.

I've changed the resistor twice, and the same thing happens. Also if I have switched the air off and back on to fix, then restart the car (even after 30mins+) it works straight away. This seems as though it's only an issue when started from cold. Any ideas of what tis could be?

[SS2.]

Could be the bearing in the fan is on the way out - extra friction to turn the blades resulting in the resistor(s) getting hot and eventually burning out.

[mickey88]

So do you think it needs a new fan? Not sure if that explains why it works after changing the setting (effectively turning it off and back on) though, does it?

[SS2.]

The fact multiple resistors have failed suggests something is drawing excessive current. This would be consistent with the smoke and burning smell.

The most likely culprit for this would be the fan itself. Posting unseen on an internet forum makes it a little tricky to be certain but, if it was me, I'd at least be having a good look at the blower assembly itself.

It may be the fan sticks when its cold but frees up a little when it's warm. If that's the case, it isn't something which will heal itself - it'll only get worse.

[Penelope Stopit]

As above

[mickey88]

Thanks guys. Do you think that if I take the heater out and had a look it would be obvious that was the issue? Presumably there would be signs of burning damage in it?

[SS2.]

Not saying a motor fault would be obvious, but whipping the blower assembly out and checking for obvious signs of corrosion (as well as how freely the blades spin by hand) would be the first thing I'd do.