Jump to content
  • When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

1973 2002 Heater Blower problem


Mk2zetec

Recommended Posts

Evening all. I’ve recently acquired a restored & rally prepared 2002 which was imported from Spain. The weather in the UK is just a little colder and damper than it’s original home and it’s desperately in need of a working heater blower. As it’s a later ‘02 I understand the fan is controlled by the lower slider on the right hand side of the steering wheel (left hand drive car) which seems seized solid. Any suggestions where to start?! 

7CE55C72-38C9-42E9-B470-62F0F38707B7.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A little clarification from your post...is the blower motor seized, or the sliding switch?  

 

First of all, make sure the motor is getting current.  Connect a voltmeter to the two terminals on the blower motor and briefly turn the switch on to high speed--you should have close to +12v at the motor.  If not, check the fuse, and then the switch.  Those open switch contacts under the dash get all corroded and won't pass current.  Double over a piece of fine sandpaper and slide it between the contacts to clean 'em up.  But...if you have 12 volts at the motor...

 

You can (just barely) access the upper armature bushing from under the hood.  Put some penetrating oil on the bushing, and then use a thin screwdriver or something similar to turn the fan blade; try loosening it up before you attempt to try powering it.  If it sits frozen with the power on for more than 20-30 seconds, you'll either blow the fuse or start melting the motor's brush holders, so get the fan turning first.  Once it does so, see if it'll turn with the power on.  If so, let it run and apply oil;  if you're lucky, it'll start moving faster and faster, and you're good.

 

If you're unlucky, or discover the brush holders show signs of melting, you're gonna have to pull the heater.  Lotsa articles on the FAQ on how to do that.  But it's much easier to try and resurrect the motor in place...and worth a try.

 

Good luck

mike

'69 Nevada sunroof-Wolfgang-bought new
'73 Sahara sunroof-Ludwig-since '78
'91 Brillantrot 318is sunroof-Georg Friederich 
Fiat Topolini (Benito & Luigi), Renault 4CVs (Anatole, Lucky Pierre, Brigette) & Kermit, the Bugeye Sprite

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Mike. It’s the sliding switch that’s seized.  The motor spins freely. I’ll try and get some penetrating oil to the end of the armature and into the Bowden cable. The car has been rewired with a modern motorsport loom so don’t believe it’s the motor at fault. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lucky you that it's not the motor.  As for the switch--you can remove the two control knobs and gently pull off the silver switch cover--that'll give you (slightly) more access to the blower switch--you may also need some underdash contortions.  The switch lever pivots on a rivet, so a little shot of penetrating oil on the pivot should free it up, followed by the previously described swipes with sandpaper on the contacts.  IIRC there's no Bowden cable connected to the blower switch, only to the temperature control lever that's next to it.  

 

Just went through this with a friend's '75 that had sat outside for 16 years--switch was sticky and had corroded contacts; the above is how we got it working again.

 

Nice car, BTW--should be a blast to drive.

 

mike

'69 Nevada sunroof-Wolfgang-bought new
'73 Sahara sunroof-Ludwig-since '78
'91 Brillantrot 318is sunroof-Georg Friederich 
Fiat Topolini (Benito & Luigi), Renault 4CVs (Anatole, Lucky Pierre, Brigette) & Kermit, the Bugeye Sprite

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just to be super clear, there are 3 things on the dashboard that need to 'work' in order to get cabin heat:

1.) Blower motor, upper RH slider.  Sounds like this is fine in this case, so check.

2.) Coolant valve, lower RH slider.  This bowden cable opens/closes the coolant valve that controls the flow of engine coolant through the heater core.  Make sure it slides freely and the valve in the 'valley' between the firewall and the engine bay operates.

3.) Heater box air flaps, lower LH side (/Defrost flaps on upper slider).  Sounds like it's this one that you're having problems with, but make sure to check both the slider side and the flaps side of things down at the heater box.  I think both can bind up/quit working in various ways!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • BMW Neue Klasse - a birth of a Sports Sedan

    BMW Neue Klasse - a birth of a Sports Sedan

    Unveiling of the Neue Klasse Unveiled in 1961, BMW 1500 sedan was a revolutionary concept at the outset of the '60s. No tail fins or chrome fountains. Instead, what you got was understated and elegant, in a modern sense, exciting to drive as nearly any sports car, and yet still comfortable for four.   The elegant little sedan was an instant sensation. In the 1500, BMW not only found the long-term solution to its dire business straits but, more importantly, created an entirely new
    History of the BMW 2002 and the 02 Series

    History of the BMW 2002 and the 02 Series

    In 1966, BMW was practically unknown in the US unless you were a touring motorcycle enthusiast or had seen an Isetta given away on a quiz show.  BMW’s sales in the US that year were just 1253 cars.  Then BMW 1600-2 came to America’s shores, tripling US sales to 4564 the following year, boosted by favorable articles in the Buff Books. Car and Driver called it “the best $2500 sedan anywhere.”  Road & Track’s road test was equally enthusiastic.  Then, BMW took a cue from American manufacturers,
    The BMW 2002 Production Run

    The BMW 2002 Production Run

    BMW 02 series are like the original Volkswagen Beetles in one way (besides both being German classic cars)—throughout their long production, they all essentially look alike—at least to the uninitiated:  small, boxy, rear-wheel drive, two-door sedan.  Aficionados know better.   Not only were there three other body styles—none, unfortunately, exported to the US—but there were some significant visual and mechanical changes over their eleven-year production run.   I’ve extracted t
  • Upcoming Events

  • Supporting Vendors

×
×
  • Create New...