Heater blower resistor (Rheostat) location

1. xlr8 Newbie Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 6

   #1 23rd November 2007, 13:50

   Hi All..
   I have a 97 saxo 1.1 sx. The heater blower only works on setting 3.
   The switch is fine, so I want to replace/test the resistor (Ive searched these forums & notice this is a common fault, but no posts actually tell me where this resistor is located...).
   Any help on where to find this resistor/Rheostat would be much appreciated!
2. xlr8 Newbie Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 6

   #2 23rd November 2007, 19:53

   Anyone? This seems to be really common but I cant find any posts of people that have fixed it...
3. Lozza_vtr Established Member Joined: Jun 2007 Sunny Essex!! Posts: 2342 VW Golf Mk4 1.8T

   #3 23rd November 2007, 20:02

   The resistor is mounted to the actual heater blower motor, don't think you can buy the resistors. Probably easier just replacing the blower motor. Replaced mine a few weeks ago.
4. xlr8 Newbie Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 6

   #4 23rd November 2007, 20:34

   Thanks for that lozza, I dont suppose you could give me a quick DIY guide on how to replace the blower, that would be much appreciated!
5. Lozza_vtr Established Member Joined: Jun 2007 Sunny Essex!! Posts: 2342 VW Golf Mk4 1.8T

   #5 23rd November 2007, 20:51

   Took me about 1 hour.
   
   First remove the front windscreen wipers, then remove the long plastic panel underneath the wipers. Then there is another small plastic panel drivers side that has to be removed, then remove the front wiper motor. You will now see the heater blower motor, remove the 2 bolts securing it and the mesh grill from the motor.
   
   The motor is now unbolted. It is now ready to be removed through the drivers side footwell.
   
   Stick your head down by the drivers side pedals and look up behind the dash, there might be a bit of carpet that has to be removed to see up there. There will be a plastic heater piping that leads from the right hand heater vent, that will have to be pulled away and removed.
   
   Then you will see the blower motor with another plastic pipe coming from it, i just pulled on the blower motor and the pipe released. The blower motor will need a bit of moving about to get it out from under the dash, but it will come out after a while.
   
   Then fit your new one.
   
   Sorry about the long write up, it is not as bad as it sounds. Quite easy really.
6. xlr8 Newbie Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 6

   #6 23rd November 2007, 22:20

   Brilliant, thanks so much for that guide lozza - Im sure I will have fun doing it - the motor is also quite noisy when on, so I guess I will be able to check that too..
   
   So you think that the resistor is actually mounted in the motor assembly itself?
7. kiss_my_vtrsssse Regular Poster Joined: Oct 2007 deeside Posts: 335 mk1 saxo vtr

   #7 23rd November 2007, 22:33

   on hondas you get them seperate but not to sure on saxs
8. Lozza_vtr Established Member Joined: Jun 2007 Sunny Essex!! Posts: 2342 VW Golf Mk4 1.8T

   #8 23rd November 2007, 22:35

   Yep the resistor is mounted on the side of the heater motor. Its not like a normal resistor, its a big rectangle one.
   
   Hold on a minute, will take a picture of my old motor.
9. Lozza_vtr Established Member Joined: Jun 2007 Sunny Essex!! Posts: 2342 VW Golf Mk4 1.8T

   #9 23rd November 2007, 22:46

   Here are a few picture of my old heater blower motor.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Resistor is attached to the side of the actual motor. It can be removed, but don't actually know if you would be able to get another one. Hence why i got a second hand blower motor from ebay.
10. xlr8 Newbie Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 6

    #10 28th November 2007, 09:32

    As I managed to get my blower fixed to work on all 3 speeds at the weekend I thought Id share my findings.
    Lozza's guide for removing the blower was very accurate & easy to follow thanks! (I atually managed to get to the blower nuts off using a long reach ratchet, instead of having to remove the windscreen motor).
    The blower only working on the 3rd speed turned out to be a faulty thermal fuse (the little device fitted to the side of the ceramic resistor as per lozza's picture above) I just replaced it with a solid piece of wire- but you could buy a new one from maplin for a few pence.
    Apparently this is a common fault & it was not too difficult to fix... It certainly saves buying a whole new motor.
11. Lozza_vtr Established Member Joined: Jun 2007 Sunny Essex!! Posts: 2342 VW Golf Mk4 1.8T

    #11 28th November 2007, 09:36

    Excellent mate. It was good that you was able to fix it too.
12. Smokey Newbie Joined: Nov 2006 Bath Posts: 29 Citroen saxo 1.4i westcoast silver Audi S3 8l Sil

    #12 11th April 2008, 13:55

    i have this problem, i am gonna give it a crack this weekend, Cheers guys
13. user_62820 Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2013 Deal, Kent Posts: 109 Black VTR 02

    #13 22nd November 2013, 15:13

    Just as a note to anyone attempting this. You will need to remove the pop rivets from the fan assembly in order to access the fuse/rheostat. not a quick job in itself as will need drilling out and the rivets are longer than standard to replace the unit.
14. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

    #14 22nd November 2013, 18:41

    Also if the motor itself is noisy then the bearings are shot.
15. Twinsaxo L-plater Joined: Oct 2006 Chester Posts: 43 W Reg Furio & 03 VTR

    #15 22nd December 2013, 23:51

    Did this mod last week....the thermal fuse is 192c Maplin code RA20W @ 89p each, no need to re rivit the motor just use some 5mm bolts with nylock nuts...worked for me
16. Thomassaxo Newbie Joined: Nov 2014 Posts: 1

    #16 14th November 2014, 20:56

    I've got a 97 saxo mischief and my heater doesn't work at all I cannot locate it in the place mention could it be positioned anywhere else
17. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

    #17 14th November 2014, 21:41

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Thomassaxo I've got a 97 saxo mischief and my heater doesn't work at all I cannot locate it in the place mention could it be positioned anywhere else

    Same place on all saxo's.
18. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

    #18 15th November 2014, 18:00

    Plus you can buy the resistor pack they're on ebay folks.
19. GIANNIS92 Newbie Joined: Jun 2014 Greece, chania. Posts: 3 SAXO VTS 1.6 16V

    #19 20th February 2015, 23:19

    hi mates i want to make a question...how can i change the switch of the heater blower...i mean the switch we set sthe speed of blower 1,2,3,4 or to close.....is there someone who has done this??