Date:         Tue, 19 Sep 2006 17:05:34 -0400
Reply-To:     Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
Subject:      Re: Front Blower... resistor?
Comments: To: fitzr@SUSCOM-MAINE.NET
In-Reply-To:  <TOSXAlrB.1158697365.4263230.fitzr@suscom-maine.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Doug,

         I'd say that if you are blowing the fuse, the problem is not the
resistor, it's likely to be a frozen fan motor, or (less likely) a wire
with bad insulation shorting to ground. When the resistor goes bad, it
opens up, and no current flows through the circuit (so you won't blow a
fuse). A stuck fan motor or grounded wire will draw *more* current, thus
causing the fuse to blow.

         The stuck motor is more likely *unless* your van has been hit hard
in the front at some time... wires pinched in an accident will sometimes
get shorted to ground.

Tim

At 04:22 PM 9/19/2006 -0400, Doug Fitz-Randolph wrote:
>My blower stopped working about 6 years ago and I'm thinking I might get
>to fixing it someday soon. It isn't the switch, I checked that. Turning
>the blower on will blow the fuse every time. Does anyone know where the
>resistor for the front blower motor is located? Is it part of the motor?
>Is there one at all? There must be. I couldn't find a part# in ETKA,
>but I seem to recall many years ago hearing that sometimes when your
>front blower does not work it is the resistor that has failed rather
>than the blower itself. I could very well have completely invented this
>memory, though, but thought I'd ask and make sure!
>
>Thanks,
>Doug Fitz-Randolph
>Freeport, ME