Failed Heater motor S3 - tips please...

[__Roadrunner__]

Does anyone out there have any tips about failed heater motors. Mine packed up on a run in the spring. Does the dash have to come out ?

[phillpot]

Yep.


unless the issue is elsewhere, switch, fuse (but why would it blow, motor siezed) ?

[v8s4me]

It's a big job so why not leave it until the winter? You can then do lots of other little jobs while the dash is off, eg:-

• retrim the dash, if it needs doing,
• replace the instrument bulbs with something brighter,
• Tidy up the wiring,
• check the heater core and get that fixed if necessary,
• replace the air piping,

and so on, and so on.

[greymrj]

I would agree with both above.
Find out first if it is a simple job by applying some power direct to the fan motor. Mine is an earlier car with different wiring but if you do not have a wiring diagram I can look up the correct wiring colours to look for. To be honest, if you haven't got a wiring diagram you really should have, owning any classic car without understanding it will be too difficult and too expensive.
If the fan is seized or burnt out, forget it for now. It is a big job and you will certainly find other issues when you take it out. I would be looking to get the bits together during the summer and to take it out and overhaul the whole heating system, and preferably everything behind the dash, over the winter.

[__Roadrunner__]

Thanks all, I'm really not looking forward to taking the dash out. 'This is really for the brave...'. Anyone done it ?

[v8s4me]

Lots of people on here have done it so you'll get plenty of help. Here is my saga...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Top tips:

• remove the seats, or at the very least, the drivers seat.
• drop the steering column and make a support to prevent staining the bulkhead bearing.
• file down the edge of the metal dash plate so it slides easily in and out of the dash moulding. This will make re-fititng a lot easier.
• buy a family pack of Elastoplasts.

[__Roadrunner__]

Think I might just buy some thermals instead...

[Top Gear TVR]

or re-route the exhaust through the seats?



(this is not a sensible suggestion)

[phillpot]

Top Gear TVR said:

this is not a sensible suggestion

I think we realized that.... would sound rubbish