Part 2--Stupid Auto Heat...

NapTownSpeedy · 10-18-2002, 09:21 AM

All right moving forward. Thanks to all that helped to diagnose the problem. Special thanks to BGCarrera for the wiring help (also Erkad, emcon5, s_wilwerding, et al).
So my blower motor is KAPUT. Everything puts out the right power, but the blower she no blow. So now I have some replacement decisions. Please help evaluate these options:
1. Used blower motor @ $100. Band aid on a bad system.
2. New blower motor @ +$200. Bigger Bandaid.
3. New Non-Porsche blower motor (ouch hot flames incoming) @ $100. JC Whitney sells a 12v one for bugs/ghias that would seems to work well. Hell same family designed both systems.
4. Backdate to pre Auto Heat system @ $100. Most think this works just fine, and this is basically what is working for me now. Added bonus of cleaning up engine bay.
5. Option #4 with addition of this JC Whitney Bug/Ghia inline booster @ +$140.

Ok I know that #5 is not original but it looks like it could do some good. Blowers would not need to be a powerful because of less resistance/cleaner path. Removal of original blower would give me a fuse and relay in the engine compartment already. I have a blank control space in my dash now. Does this look like a good alternative? Has anyone tried this?
Any helpful suggestions are welcome. I am not worried about keeping my car original. And yes I am a wuss that needs heat. And YES I do have my Nomex undies on, so flame away.

NapTownSpeedy · 10-21-2002, 05:56 AM

Sorry does anyone have an idea about these inline fan kits?

s_wilwerding · s_wilwerding's Garage

Just to add some things:

I was messing around with my heating system this weekend (I also have auto-heat). The blower motor was making a tremendously bad noise, so I removed it, disassembled it, and lubed up the bearings with some good thick grease. The blower motor now runs quietly.

I put it back in the car, pull the lever, and lo and behold, still no heat. So, I look underneath. The heater cable opens the flapper boxes on each side just fine. Look on the driver's side - no hose connecting the heat exchanger to the flapper box. The passenger's side is hooked up fine, though I think the reason I'm not getting any heat is that the hose in the engine compartment is crimped.

Anyway, long story short, if I do manage to get everything working, I still have a problem. With autoheat, the little box between the seats automatically turns the blower on and off. Without autoheat working, the blower runs all the time unless you unplug it. So, I'm thinking I'll have to hook up a switch on the autoheat box to turn the blower on and off.

I'm not sure this helps Ryan much, but if anyone has any ideas for me, they would be much appreciated.

Ryan, just some things to keep in mind in case you end up replacing the blower.