Heater/Blower isn't
Discussion
The heater/blower has stopped blowing. If it isn't the fuse (can't really get in to check this until daylight available at the weekend) I suspect a loose connection on the push-and-click/twiddle switch. Can this be removed without taking the dashboard off ?
There is no noise at all, so the fan isn't activating.
Car fairly warm anyway as ambient heat is quite good once moving (as we all know) but could do with a bit more at times.
There is no noise at all, so the fan isn't activating.
Car fairly warm anyway as ambient heat is quite good once moving (as we all know) but could do with a bit more at times.
over_the_hill said:
The heater/blower has stopped blowing. If it isn't the fuse (can't really get in to check this until daylight available at the weekend) I suspect a loose connection on the push-and-click/twiddle switch. Can this be removed without taking the dashboard off ?
There is no noise at all, so the fan isn't activating.
Car fairly warm anyway as ambient heat is quite good once moving (as we all know) but could do with a bit more at times.
Probably just the fuse mate.
Checked fuse and OK with +12V on it.
The temp and direction dials are based on pulleys (I think) but not sure how the on/off + speed switch works.
Can the blower be activated directly somehow - shorting out further down line - as I would like to check that first before taking dash off, possibly for nothing.
The temp and direction dials are based on pulleys (I think) but not sure how the on/off + speed switch works.
Can the blower be activated directly somehow - shorting out further down line - as I would like to check that first before taking dash off, possibly for nothing.
Fan switch has positive feed off ignition circuit (same as oil & charge warning LEDs). Switch is 3 position with 3 leads to resistor pack ( somewhere near motor) which control motor speed.
Test 12v on lt green feed to switch, then that 12v is coming out of relative terminals of switch when turned. You should be able to measure resistance (to ground) of the 2 female spades which feed the motor via resistor pack. There will be 2 resistors + 1 direct lead (that will be fan speed 3).
It may be as simple as feed fallen off switch, or buggered switch. If only 1 speed was faulty - maybe one of the resistors. If all 3 fail, wiring to motor or motor failure I'd guess.
HTH, Dave
Test 12v on lt green feed to switch, then that 12v is coming out of relative terminals of switch when turned. You should be able to measure resistance (to ground) of the 2 female spades which feed the motor via resistor pack. There will be 2 resistors + 1 direct lead (that will be fan speed 3).
It may be as simple as feed fallen off switch, or buggered switch. If only 1 speed was faulty - maybe one of the resistors. If all 3 fail, wiring to motor or motor failure I'd guess.
HTH, Dave
My blower fan stopped working over Christmas. It turned out to be a burned-out connection in the blower controller box. This is a TVR "home-made" box connected to the blower dial by a ribbon connector. One of the pins (presumably the supply to the fan) had discoloured where it had got hot over time and this caused a dry joint on the PCB. Resoldering this solved my problem.
Accessing it was fairly easy - just undiD the bolts hidden behind the glove-box pocket and prised the dashboard up.
Good luck!
Accessing it was fairly easy - just undiD the bolts hidden behind the glove-box pocket and prised the dashboard up.
Good luck!
The heater fan in my 94 Chim has packed in. It is drawing current (I see the dash lights dim slightly when switch it on).
It also blew the 15amp fuse other day resulting in loss of dash instuments. I replaced the fuse, dash works but still no fan.
The fan control is the older 3 position (Vauxhall) switch type.
I had a look under the dash last night looking for this "heater control box" thing but my car doesn not seem to have one? The wires from the switch just disappear off into the depths of the wiring loom.
So is there any way I can get to the fan? I hear it may be in the passenger wing? How on earth can I get to it?
It also blew the 15amp fuse other day resulting in loss of dash instuments. I replaced the fuse, dash works but still no fan.
The fan control is the older 3 position (Vauxhall) switch type.
I had a look under the dash last night looking for this "heater control box" thing but my car doesn not seem to have one? The wires from the switch just disappear off into the depths of the wiring loom.
So is there any way I can get to the fan? I hear it may be in the passenger wing? How on earth can I get to it?
M@H said:
spend said:
Switch is 3 position with 3 leads to resistor pack ( somewhere near motor) which control motor speed.
Not on a 98 it aint... its the little free spinning push on/off button.
This was the problem on mine. The switch had worked loose and wasn't connecting properly.
Once I had got dash off I had it fixed in 30 secs. Not much help for you though piemanpaul.
On a 1998 Chim the heater has a control box under the dash for the motor speed.
This can be accessed by removing the passenger side dash nuts only.
Once the dash is lifted up, follow the ribbon cable from the dash switch to the black
control box.
You will probably find the main feed pin at the box has melted as the connector is not up to the job. This happened on mine so I cut the pins and soldered wires direct to the board and then fitted bullet connectors instead.
There is about 15 quids worth of bits in the box but it will cost you about 160 quid + vat
for a new one if its faulty.
Hope this helps.
Paul
This can be accessed by removing the passenger side dash nuts only.
Once the dash is lifted up, follow the ribbon cable from the dash switch to the black
control box.
You will probably find the main feed pin at the box has melted as the connector is not up to the job. This happened on mine so I cut the pins and soldered wires direct to the board and then fitted bullet connectors instead.
There is about 15 quids worth of bits in the box but it will cost you about 160 quid + vat
for a new one if its faulty.
Hope this helps.
Paul
On my 94 Chim i'm pretty sure there is no control box. Had a look under dash - rather than a ribbon cable the normal looking wires are attached to the fan switch with spade connectors. The wires from the switch then just dissapear into the loom leaving 2 questions:
- So where is the fan control unit on this car - with the fan itself perhaps?
- How might I go about fixing this problem? Any tips on what test's I can do with a multimeter or how I gain access to the fan?
Paul
- So where is the fan control unit on this car - with the fan itself perhaps?
- How might I go about fixing this problem? Any tips on what test's I can do with a multimeter or how I gain access to the fan?
Paul
The connector to the fan switch should be latched blades in a connector block (so you dont wire incorrectly).
My old post referred to the early system which I thought was being discussed. To the left of your battery is a connector that disappears into the passenger wing - just in front of the door - for the motor. Its a bitch to get at... I have a spare complete motor / air box if you want some pics.
Dave
My old post referred to the early system which I thought was being discussed. To the left of your battery is a connector that disappears into the passenger wing - just in front of the door - for the motor. Its a bitch to get at... I have a spare complete motor / air box if you want some pics.
Dave
Sorry just got round to uploading some pics, ifyou need anymore let me know
http://tvr3.dspen.com/ph/blower1.jpg
http://tvr3.dspen.com/ph/blower2.jpg
Dave
http://tvr3.dspen.com/ph/blower1.jpg
http://tvr3.dspen.com/ph/blower2.jpg
Dave
Edited by spend on Tuesday 20th March 11:13
A little googling of the numbers on the heater reveals that it's actually a Mk2 Astra one. The motor is a straight swap although the casing is slightly 
modified. An hour in the scrap yard and £10 has got me one that works fine. All going back together again now.
Despite all that has been said previously, although it's a lot of work to get the dash out, not that bad a job in comparison to some modern heaters.
modified. An hour in the scrap yard and £10 has got me one that works fine. All going back together again now. Despite all that has been said previously, although it's a lot of work to get the dash out, not that bad a job in comparison to some modern heaters.
My recently bought Chimaera has recently suffered the same fate. I'd been running the heater on full blast over the last day or so to help dry out the carpet on the drivers side footwell. Still don't know the source of the water but thats another problem. After a short stop went to restart blower and kaput..no blower and no dash instruments. Replaced fuse..dash instruments worked but as soon as I switched the blower on it immediately blew the fuse again...*?@ger!!
I guess having read this thread I've managed to fry something. My blower motor was a bit 'squeeky' so maybe the motors blown. Anyone replaced a heater motor? Is it the pig of a job I think it is?
I guess having read this thread I've managed to fry something. My blower motor was a bit 'squeeky' so maybe the motors blown. Anyone replaced a heater motor? Is it the pig of a job I think it is?
Thanks for the advice.
I notice looking at the unit that water pipes feed into it. Do i need to drain the cooling system and disconnect these or can the motor be replaced without doing so.
On the same subject I recently bought the 2nd edition of Steve Heath'e Griffith/Chimaera manual. It describes acessing the heater blower fan via a hatch (mine doesn't have one)in the wheel arch (used to access rear of headlight for bulb replacement) or by removing the headlight both of which give access to the inner wing. My headlight is glued in so I am reluctant to remove it but by removing the front grill I was able to see up into the inner wing with no sign of the fan. Does this advice apply to a particular model year..mine is a 1995.
I notice looking at the unit that water pipes feed into it. Do i need to drain the cooling system and disconnect these or can the motor be replaced without doing so.
On the same subject I recently bought the 2nd edition of Steve Heath'e Griffith/Chimaera manual. It describes acessing the heater blower fan via a hatch (mine doesn't have one)in the wheel arch (used to access rear of headlight for bulb replacement) or by removing the headlight both of which give access to the inner wing. My headlight is glued in so I am reluctant to remove it but by removing the front grill I was able to see up into the inner wing with no sign of the fan. Does this advice apply to a particular model year..mine is a 1995.
Edited by mac400 on Tuesday 20th March 10:54
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