Heater Blower Problems

9th October 2010, 18:42

Hello all,

I'm having a few problems and wondering if anyone can help?

When I bought my car the blower was broken and would only work on the third click (ie full blast) so I replaced the switch with a new one from Citroen. I have now fitted it but it hasn't solved the problem. The blower still only works on the third click (full blast). Any ideas what the problem might be? As I dont have air con I really want to get this sorted.

Also, the dial on the far right side of the dial cluster (temp I think). When I start the car this always illuminates bright white and the needle goes to the top and then after a little while dims and resets, is this normal?

Finally the airbag light has just come on and flashes..... I haven't done anything to cause this (it started before I changed the switch) but it's really annoying. Is this a fault? I|'m sure I read somewhere a number of you have experienced this for no reason..... Would it cause anything else to fail?

Thanks in advance for any ideas

9th October 2010, 20:04

The fan speed is controlled by a resistor that is fitted within the heater motor and not the switch...that is why the fault was still there. I am not sure if the resistor pack is available seperately.

The airbag fault is likely to be a problem with the wiring under the seat. The connectors are a nuisance causing this fault. A good clean of the connections normally cures it but failing that remove the connectors and solder the wires together.

Although the odds of it happening are slim (detonation), always disconnect the battery when working on airbags. Even then, the good book says to short the battery connections together to discharge any capacitors in the entire electrical syems (battery disconnected first of course).

9th October 2010, 20:06

If you have the earlier VTS, the gauge goes to the top to indicate oil level and then becomes an oil temperature gauge.

9th October 2010, 20:09

hi mate the resistor is available seperatley they sell on ebay sometimes called a rheostat if you cant find them

9th October 2010, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by sax0gal

hi mate the resistor is available seperatley they sell on ebay sometimes called a rheostat if you cant find them

I think & not being rude here there is some confusion the RHEOSTAT is what controls the brightness on the dashboard.Resistors are built into the heater blower motor & to my knowledge aren`t available seperately.Best option buy a used blower motor from ebay.

Steve.

9th October 2010, 20:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevo67

I think & not being rude here there is some confusion the RHEOSTAT is what controls the brightness on the dashboard.Resistors are built into the heater blower motor & to my knowledge aren`t available seperately.Best option buy a used blower motor from ebay.

Steve.

I believe that to be true also

...however...I have just remembered, most of these resitor packs have a thermal fuse which looks like a silver resistor with a pointed end (1/2" long). I have replaced or bypassed (customer only request) those fuses as they are exceptionally week and have a limited service life. It is worth having a look in the motor if it is servicable. Other than that, new motor it is.

9th October 2010, 20:54

well put it this way everyone i know in the trade including the parts department at my local citroen dealer call it a rheostat or a resistor basically as it controls the voltage supply same as the dash lights

9th October 2010, 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by sax0gal

well put it this way everyone i know in the trade including the parts department at my local citroen dealer call it a rheostat or a resistor basically as it controls the voltage supply same as the dash lights

Call it a rheostat or resistor. I am in the trade also and I agree that it is called both, but it is a technically it is a resistor. A rheostat has a moving wiper or taping, the blower motor has tapings from a fixed resistive element.

9th October 2010, 21:25

cheers for backing me up i was just saying it was also called a rheostat just incase someone has listed it on ebay under that name

9th October 2010, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by sax0gal

cheers for backing me up i was just saying it was also called a rheostat just incase someone has listed it on ebay under that name

No problem

9th October 2010, 22:04

Thanks all for your comments. Saxogal, how far are you from Swindon? I'd like to take advantage of your services if possible?

9th October 2010, 22:06

Also would someone be kind enough to provide a link is they can find the part I'm after on eBay as I'd hate to buy the right part. I have no idea what I'm looking for.... ta

9th October 2010, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottrw

Also would someone be kind enough to provide a link is they can find the part I'm after on eBay as I'd hate to buy the right part. I have no idea what I'm looking for.... ta

This is it....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CITROEN-PEUGEO...item2a07911bba

9th October 2010, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottrw

Also would someone be kind enough to provide a link is they can find the part I'm after on eBay as I'd hate to buy the right part. I have no idea what I'm looking for.... ta

What ever you get you must be sure it is correct for you vehicle make and model, including the year.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CITROEN-SAXO-9...item335ed2757d

I remember these parts, used to go on the 405's all the time.

9th October 2010, 22:21

pm@d you mate

1st February 2011, 11:05

following some of the links in this thread it seems that the two resistors / rheostats you linked to on eBay are actually inside the motor. They're really expensive, so I was wondering if I was to buy a complete motor from a breaker it would probably have the resistor already inside - like on this one (£90) or more importantly cost wise on this one! (for about £20)

1st February 2011, 11:15

go to the scrappys only a tenner for a motor,and that will solve the problem as had the same fault on mine.now its perfect.not worth paying £90 for a new one

1st February 2011, 15:32

how easy was it to fit? Am hoping I don't need to remove the whole dash etc?

1st February 2011, 15:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by craptiger

how easy was it to fit? Am hoping I don't need to remove the whole dash etc?

Interested in knowing this - i'm tempted to go from the back (ooer!

) and remove the scuttle, wipers and get it out from the back this weekend...

...but don't want to do it if its a complete pain in the arse

8th February 2011, 18:37

The blower is on the same fuse as the power steering, i had a problem with my blower,it kept fusing and my steering went aswell.Eventually my resistors pack up,and that was the end of my blower.so i gave my blower a live of its own and bought two resistors which i placed under the bonet,as its hard to get at the blower but you can get to the wire going in,i just gave it power from my resistors,via my switch.hope this helps anyone.

8th February 2011, 18:46

there is a thermal fuse on the blower motor that packs up and therefore only works on full blast

if you open your bonnet, and take off the plastic strip that is under the wipers, then you will see two small bolts sticking out with nuts on (underneath wiper arms) - undo these

Then go inside the car and take out the duct that passes from the center of the dash to the drivers side blower bit
Then after a bit of persuasion you should be able to wiggle the blower motor out
if you take the case off, you will see the fuse - just solder a bit of wire across it and that should do the job!

Hope that helps

There is a thread... LINK

8th February 2011, 19:44

I have kind of a similar problem, with the exception that my blower is stuck on full blow, no matter how I turn the switch - any ideas would be extremely welcome in my original thread: http://www.saxperience.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=361944