fan no worky

Headlights to tailights and everything in between.

Moderators: Helpinators, Moderators

Post Reply
greg donovan
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1947
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2003 6:22 pm
Location: Fargo, ND

fan no worky

Post by greg donovan »

my 90's ventillation fan stopped working yesterday. i can hear things switching and what not when i push the climate control buttons but no fan. i know its not the speed resistor cuz when that fails you get speed level 4 and nothing else.

any ideas. its to damn cold to drive w/out heat.

greg
kyledooley
In Neutral
Posts: 41
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2004 10:14 pm
Location: Oak Park, IL

Post by kyledooley »

It is most likely the blower motor relay. I just replaced mine on Saturday. Exact same problem.

The blower motor relay is a bitch to get at. It is up under the dash on the left hand side and above the fuse block. You'll have to undo a couple of wiring harnesses from the fuse block, unbolt the fuse block and then undo the bolts holding the bracket under the fuseblock to the fender.

You'll see the sunroof relay (Red) the fuel pump relay (green I think) and another brown relay, I don't remember what its for. The blower motor relay is white/neutral color with a silver cap. You'll have to snap the little plastic bracket holding it with cut off pliers and the wires will let you pull it out enough to undo the connector. Mine was all corroded when I got it out, it must have gotten wet or something. Don't worry about the bracket, you're just going to tape the relay back up so it doesn't flop around.

To test the circuit, take a wire and jump the two big wires in the relay connector. There will be a red one and a black one (with yellow stripes I think). If you jump them, you are providing power to the blower circuit and you should hear the fan. If the fan works with the wire jumped like that, head to the parts store with your old relay and ask them for a replacement.

Luckily the relay itself is cheap. I got mine at car quest auto parts. It car quest part number RY-51 and it was $32.00.

Post or e-mail me direct if you need any more help. The best thing I can recommend is ask your wife or girlfriend to help. Small hands are a must. :D

Kyle
vrg3
Vikash
Posts: 12517
Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2002 2:13 am
Location: USA, OH, Cleveland (sometimes visiting DC though)
Contact:

Post by vrg3 »

I believe that brown relay is the ignition relay.

Kyle's probably on target with checking the relay first, since we've seen couple of board members have that relay go out. If that checks out, then it's either your wiring harness or the blower motor itself... Cross your fingers; hopefully it's just the relay.
greg wrote:any ideas. its to damn cold to drive w/out heat.
Drive fast, so ram air pressure keeps the warm air flowing. :?
"Just reading vrg3's convoluted, information-packed posts made me feel better all over again." -- subyluvr2212
DLC
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 2775
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 1:58 am
Location: Utah
Contact:

Post by DLC »

I'm with vrg3 on this...

My 90 had the resistor go out 3 times, obviously the motor was going out, but sold it before i had to go that far.
Legacy Central
2001 Legacy Outback Wagon | 2005 OB XT LTD | 1997 Legacy Outback Limited | 1998 Legacy L Wagon | 2000 GT Limited | 93 Legacy Touring Wagon 5MT | 90 Legacy L+
kyledooley
In Neutral
Posts: 41
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2004 10:14 pm
Location: Oak Park, IL

Post by kyledooley »

Before you go crazy on getting at the relay, it is actually quite easy to test if it is the blower motor itself first.

Take off the glove box (2 screws on the bottom) and pull out the blower motor plug.

Turn the fan on and test the connector to see if it is getting 12V. If there is no juice getting to the motor then it is the relay.

If it was the blower motor itself, it would most likely have acted a little funny before it failed and there would still be power getting there.

The Haynes manual for 1990-1998 legacies actually has a nice write up on this for chasing down HVAC faults. It tells you step by step what to test and what it means if you don't have power here, don't have power there, etc. $14 at autozone and a pretty good reference to have over and above the factory resources posted here.

BTW, I know where you can get a brand new blower motor for 49.00 with reasonable shipping and no core, if that turns out to be the problem. I know they can be expensive if you don't shop around (especially from a dealer). It is AC Delco part number 88918649. You can also get them from any NAPA for 62.00. That may be easier and saves shipping.

Good luck and like I said, post up or e-mail if you get into trouble. No heat blows (no pun intended).

K.
evolutionmovement
Knowledgeable
Knowledgeable
Posts: 9809
Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2003 11:20 pm
Location: Beverly, MA

Post by evolutionmovement »

With my experience with automated production machinery, relays, drivers, and sensors almost always go several times before the motors (stepper, servo, or otherwise).

Steve
Midnight in a Perfect World on Amazon or order anywhere. The first book in a quartet chronicling the rise of a man from angry criminal to philanthropist. Midnight... is a distopic noirish novel featuring 'Duchess', a modified 1990 Subaru Legacy wagon.
greg donovan
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1947
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2003 6:22 pm
Location: Fargo, ND

Post by greg donovan »

thats what im hoping for but since i hear electrical sounds coming from the fuse block area im afraid it is the fan motor.
kyledooley
In Neutral
Posts: 41
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2004 10:14 pm
Location: Oak Park, IL

Post by kyledooley »

Don't worry too much. If it is the blower motor, at least it is easy to change out. The two screws for the glove box and its right there.

Kyle
greg donovan
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1947
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2003 6:22 pm
Location: Fargo, ND

Post by greg donovan »

yeah but it costs alot more!
kyledooley
In Neutral
Posts: 41
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2004 10:14 pm
Location: Oak Park, IL

Post by kyledooley »

See my post above. You can get one at NAPA for $62.

K.
Post Reply