Footwell blowers squeaky, how to fix.

[ibeaudoin]

My turn to contribute to this forum.

My car, 88 911 coupe.

I have those squeaky footwell blower motors. I decided to try to fix them before spending big buck for replacement.

It turns out to be pretty easy. Here's how:

1- Remove the motor assembly from the car


2- Remove the screw at the top of the assembly and remove the cover.


3- Remove the 4 little clips to release the bottom part.


4- Here's what's left.


5- Using a tiny flat screwdriver, gently remove the shaft retaining clip (not sure how it's called) by moving up each tooth one at a time. The clip will come out. Although it's not necessary to remove it, I found that by doing so you are allowing the motor shaft to move 1/8" up or down in the housing helping lubrification.


6- Remove the clip and washer. Remove the 2 screws that retains the motor from the plastic housing.


7- Flip the assembly, take a small flat screwdriver and gently pull the squirrel cage up. The cage is press fit, so it will come out the shaft.


8- Cage removed


9- Flip the assembly again. Put the shaft on a flat surface and using one hand on each side of the plastic housing push downward. Motor will come out of the plastic housing.


10- Pull the motor completely out of the plastic housing. See the crap at the end of the bottom arrow. Noise is probably coming from there. Clean and lubricate each side of the motor shaft. If you previously removed the top clip, you'll have 1/8" to move the shaft up and down allowing the oil to go in.


Reassembly is reverse.

It takes maximum 10 minutes per motor and saves you big money.

[steely]

This is cool - Thanks!
I got used to them squeaking but I'll add this to my to-do list.

[Dkennel]

very cool post!!!
I had bought new (used) motors which also squeal, I'll give the fix a try and may have some motors for sale!

[KarlCarrera]

What perfect timing, Thanks for the help.

Karl
88 Targa

[wdfifteen]

+ 1 on the procedure. I did something similar a few weeks ago. Worked great.

[vulcan300]

Fantastic tip! I have squeaky blowers as well so you've given me yet another winter project to keep me out of my wife's hair :-)

[Dkennel]

ok just finished one! NO MORE SQUEALING!!!! This is an awesome fix!!!!

[Dkennel]

it took me 29 minutes for one motor, I kept double checking everything, blew it out with some dust remover air, degreased it and then lubricated with some bicycle teflon spray. It runs like a charm, just a hummm from the fan, can't even hear the motor any more at all!!!!!
Thanks for this great post!

[Dkennel]

ok I am starting the 2nd one

[Dkennel]

ok 2nd one finished!!!!!!!

[Dkennel]

7 minutes this time!!!!
this is great!!!

[Dkennel]

One of my new (old) motors that I had bought was stuck, it did not run at all, just made a hummm, now it also runs perfect. I am glad I did not throw these away!

[Dkennel]

Sorry to be redundant, but I just looked up the price for a new motor, one of these goes for $182.50!!! plus shipping. Used ones 103.89 at German Dismantlers!
Thanks so much again!!!!

[m110]

I performed this procedure on my motors last year. It didn't work for one and the other lasted a year and is now screaming. This can certainly keep things cooking along but does not address the ultimate wear and eventual seizing failure these motors go through.

[dshepp806]

yes,..that's exactly what I do, albeit preventatively.....the frikin wear points will eventually come to fruition........with time...

The work done certainly extends their life.

Good work!!

[Walt Fricke]

Have these been improved since '84? I remember a plastic squirrel cage and a plastic housing, and when the bearings got loose the cage rubbed and friction welded itself to the housing. Acrid smoke, since even this kind of dead short did not draw enough amps to blow the 25 amp fuse the diagrams say is in line.

Walt Fricke

[Zether89]

This maybe the wrong place to ask, but my footwell blowers just broke tonight. Some sort of short in the dash, and now they just stay on. I had to unhook the battery to get them off.

Has anyone seen or heard about this this problem before? I didn't find it using "search"

[aj88cab]

Originally Posted by Zether89

This maybe the wrong place to ask, but my footwell blowers just broke tonight. Some sort of short in the dash, and now they just stay on. I had to unhook the battery to get them off.

Has anyone seen or heard about this this problem before? I didn't find it using "search"

If they are stuck running at the high speed, check the relay (round type) at the front trunk relay panel. I believe it is the #1 relay (closest to the windshield).

[Zether89]

Originally Posted by aj88cab

If they are stuck running at the high speed, check the relay (round type) at the front trunk relay panel. I believe it is the #1 relay (closest to the windshield).

Sir.

Thank You.

I had no idea what you were talking about, but I opened the trunk and fixed it using your instructions.

( First Porsche, first problem, First problem solved )

I will be adding these forums to my quick links bar, ha!

Best,
Steve

[willtel]

How long is this lasting for you guys? I dissembled mine and oiled them last year and they were quiet for about 2 days, how often are yours being used?