Burning Smell when pulling up heater knobs???

[Wickd89]

Hi Guys,
Today on a short drive, I was cold enough to pull up the two heater knobs that are located between the front seats. I heard a "loud whining sound" and a strong " burning smell." It was like something was stuck or melting, etc....

I turned it off and of course the smell started to go away.

Anyone know what this is?
Where I should start investigating??

Thanks, luis

[slodave]

Where'd the whining noise come from? If from the engine bay, then the main fan probably seized. If from the foot well area, then one of the blower motors probably seized.

[Wickd89]

Thanks Dave. I think it is from the blower, because you can smell it while driving. Really stinky!

[slodave]

All three motors could cause the smell. They have a habit of seizing.

[Wickd89]

Thanks. I will whip out the Bentley manual and start trouble shooting.(I ended up not getting the factory manuals after someone sent me the link)... :-)

[slodave]

Luis,

Forget the Bentley. Get a #2 philips and undo the three screws (per side) holding the 'soffet' at each foot well. Once you can see the blower assembly, you should be able to disconnect the three hoses. Mine were not secured with any clamps.

This is what the foot well blowers and 'ventricles' look like.


I can't help too much with the fan in the engine bay, as I only removed the entire assembly, but the fan uses the same cylindrical fan, only the unit is larger.

Dave

[Wickd89]

Cool Dave.

Do you think it is stuck and needs to be loosened, or probably replaced if it is stuck??

[slodave]

I don't think you can R&R them, but search to make sure. Spin the fans by hand. If one has fried, you'll know.

Dave

[KCinBR]

I just, in the last 2 or 3 days repaired both of my footwell blowers on my 88 Carrera. took about an hour for both (once I figured out what to do).
I had experienced the same symptoms as you and also the fuses were blown.
Check out this post I made:

http://http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=383546&highlight=footwell+blowers

[KFC911]

Another option that you might consider is to simply "backdate" your heat as many of us have done by removing all three blowers (and the plastic duct work in the back). There will still be PLENTY of hot air flow provided by the large fan and it sure "cleans up" the engine compartment which makes it easy to access everything. Even without the blowers, my car can still "cook" ya. Here's a link:

Gratuitous pics of Carrera heater backdate...

[Wickd89]

Good tips! Hope I get a couple of days this week to work on it!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

[Wickd89]

Well. I listened to where the noise was coming from and it looks like it was the engine heat blower. Wow was it loud.

I took it out and it was not "seized" but I think that it might be a little off balance, and therefore causing an intermittent rub. I oiled it and it got better (heat flowing properly), but then the noise returned and so did the smell.

So it looks like I need a new blower. Hope to find one from a parted out car! Retail is just toooooo expensive...

Thanks for the tips Fellas!!