E36 noisey heater fan and now not working.
Discussion
Started getting very noisey 2 days ago, just finished a trip from the north, still working 200 miles ago but now dead.
I know about the resistor, I've replaced that before but does this sound like a new blower motor chaps?
Had this car since new in '98 and it's still my daily but what with the new extended London ULEZ next year and probably a long list to get it through the MOT in January, maybe it's time to day bye bye, sniff.
Was hoping to get it through the winter to the MOT as I spent a fortune in March replacing the rear bearings but with no fan running it'll be a mare in the cold and wet.
I know about the resistor, I've replaced that before but does this sound like a new blower motor chaps?
Had this car since new in '98 and it's still my daily but what with the new extended London ULEZ next year and probably a long list to get it through the MOT in January, maybe it's time to day bye bye, sniff.
Was hoping to get it through the winter to the MOT as I spent a fortune in March replacing the rear bearings but with no fan running it'll be a mare in the cold and wet.
Had a quick look, by taking the plastic grill off, under the bonnet but can't get my hand in further. Looks like part of the bulkhead can be removed.
I originally thought that this was the only way to the blower motor assembly but the local garage claim that it's behind the glovebox.
Is that correct?
I originally thought that this was the only way to the blower motor assembly but the local garage claim that it's behind the glovebox.
Is that correct?
It’s been a good few years since I worked on e36’s. But im sure taking it out through the inside is so much more work - like complete dash removal
That panel u have your hands on is pretty straightforward to remove - half a dozen 10mm bolts and wiggle it out. That will give you access to check the blower. Then if u need to replace the blower then you have to take a few more bits to give the space for it to fit through
In fact YouTube is normally good for guides on how to do it
That panel u have your hands on is pretty straightforward to remove - half a dozen 10mm bolts and wiggle it out. That will give you access to check the blower. Then if u need to replace the blower then you have to take a few more bits to give the space for it to fit through
In fact YouTube is normally good for guides on how to do it
croyde said:
Cheers, had a look. Good Scottish one complete with swearing lol
Just watched that one as the blower on the old 328 is not working (despite a hedgehog replacement).Looks like a bit of an annoying job to replace but I think I'd rather approach from the engine bay than a dash out job. Shame it's not as easy an on an E30 (did that job years back when I had my Cabriolet).
£500 is crazy!
It’s not too bad to do- I know it’s a bit of fiddling to get it in the gap but it’s not the end of the world.
Or - you could try spraying wd40 into the motor bearings and see if you could loosen it up in situ, might save the hassle if it works
Just be aware you will probably have to replace the heater resistor once you sorted the motor as a seized motor overhears and damages the resistor
It’s not too bad to do- I know it’s a bit of fiddling to get it in the gap but it’s not the end of the world.
Or - you could try spraying wd40 into the motor bearings and see if you could loosen it up in situ, might save the hassle if it works
Just be aware you will probably have to replace the heater resistor once you sorted the motor as a seized motor overhears and damages the resistor
Thanks for input everyone. I want to go ahead and do this as soon as, but there are a bewildering amount of replacement blowers out there from £30 to OEM for £378 
Seems the important thing is to get a blower with detachable squirrel cages (fans) but non of the descriptions of the various blowers mention whether they are detachable or not.
I see a few dirty looking 2nd hand OEM ones for sale but then who knows how long they will last.
Mine is a RHD UK 323i 6 cylinder model. A quick inspection shows that I can remove the engine covers to allow a little more wriggle room and I have found the bonnet 'service mode' so it sticks straight up at 90 degrees and gives me some room for my head and body.
The orientation of the RHD wipers makes it look like I have no need to remove them unlike for our US cousins, as long as I go in from the passenger side. Any tips, ta?
Also can anyone point me in the right direction for the correct part, as long as it's not the nearly £400 quid jobby?
Cheers.
Seems the important thing is to get a blower with detachable squirrel cages (fans) but non of the descriptions of the various blowers mention whether they are detachable or not.
I see a few dirty looking 2nd hand OEM ones for sale but then who knows how long they will last.
Mine is a RHD UK 323i 6 cylinder model. A quick inspection shows that I can remove the engine covers to allow a little more wriggle room and I have found the bonnet 'service mode' so it sticks straight up at 90 degrees and gives me some room for my head and body.
The orientation of the RHD wipers makes it look like I have no need to remove them unlike for our US cousins, as long as I go in from the passenger side. Any tips, ta?
Also can anyone point me in the right direction for the correct part, as long as it's not the nearly £400 quid jobby?
Cheers.
Motor arrived from Autodoc yesterday. No detachable cages.
Watched a couple of YouTube videos yet again this morning and got stuck in.
It was easier than I thought but probably due to rewatching the videos. Took a wee while and had a moment when the spade connector started bending the metal tag on the motor. It felt like it was going to snap but the spade needed more pushing as the wire was fouling the cage.
Tested the motor whilst still all opened up and all was good apart from the recirculation switch. Doesn't seem to be moving the cable to the doors much.
Lots of fiddling and oiling but no luck so I left them in open position and started putting everything back as it started pouring with rain.
All finished up, warm air in car, nice and toasty. Turned off ignition and tidied up. Went to start car but battery dead?
Tried jump starting but it just wouldn't catch.
Realised I had breakdown cover with the bank and 30min later the RAC turned up.
A fellow older car enthusiast. Just loved my e36.
Seems my 13 year old battery had given up the ghost, so I ended up buying one off him. Same price as on line but with the ease of him fitting it.
Long day but at least I saved the £500 the local garage wanted.
Ok £67 for the motor, oh and £140 for the battery.
Well it needed changing and it had let me down in Liverpool a couple of weeks ago.
Cheers for the input guys and does anyone know what I should do about the recirculation doors, cable etc?
Watched a couple of YouTube videos yet again this morning and got stuck in.
It was easier than I thought but probably due to rewatching the videos. Took a wee while and had a moment when the spade connector started bending the metal tag on the motor. It felt like it was going to snap but the spade needed more pushing as the wire was fouling the cage.
Tested the motor whilst still all opened up and all was good apart from the recirculation switch. Doesn't seem to be moving the cable to the doors much.
Lots of fiddling and oiling but no luck so I left them in open position and started putting everything back as it started pouring with rain.
All finished up, warm air in car, nice and toasty. Turned off ignition and tidied up. Went to start car but battery dead?
Tried jump starting but it just wouldn't catch.
Realised I had breakdown cover with the bank and 30min later the RAC turned up.
A fellow older car enthusiast. Just loved my e36.
Seems my 13 year old battery had given up the ghost, so I ended up buying one off him. Same price as on line but with the ease of him fitting it.
Long day but at least I saved the £500 the local garage wanted.
Ok £67 for the motor, oh and £140 for the battery.
Well it needed changing and it had let me down in Liverpool a couple of weeks ago.
Cheers for the input guys and does anyone know what I should do about the recirculation doors, cable etc?
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