Blower motor removal

[Seerlah]

What is the easiest way to get this thing out? I dropped the glove box and have the motor/blower unbolted. But I can't just pull it straight out due to fitment issues (f*ck you Audi). What is the easiest way to get it out from this current juncture? Thanks!

[awdjunkies]

I haven't gotten a chance to check out my B5 but if it's anything like the C5 its actually pretty simple..:

[Seerlah]

I got it done, but sh*t did that turn into a project. For future reference, you need to take the glove box completely out, take off the side panel, remove the 2 8mm bolts that hold the knee section of the dash, one more near the left side of the glove box, and drop it down a bit to let the blower motor out. You may be able to get away with not removing the glove box, but meh. And when you slide the blower out of the spot it rests in, you need to slide the motor to the left side of the big opening you are working with and you can get it out.

That was part one of the project. Picked up the blow motor and it had the same exact part number as my current unit. But...the connectors are different . F*cking serious? Good thing I noticed early before I tightened anything down. So, here comes the little mechanic in me thinking of what to do. Figured maybe I could just swap connectors. Took my old blower apart, and saw 2 pig tail terminals that attach to the blower motor. Great! Took the replacement apart and just swapped the 2 to make one functioning motor...I think. About to go outside and test out my climate control to see what's up.

Edit: In case someone else ends up with this same issue, be sure you place the terminals on the correct side of the blower motor. You may be able to make the motor work in reverse if you don't. Not sure, but that is generally what motors do when you reverse polarity.

[Seerlah]

Works!!! Here is my old squirrel cage blower wheel that would make a squealing sound with the 2 pin connector that came with my replacement. That is also my old back plate mount for them. My car uses what I recall had 5 pins for the connector. Also sprayed some Ozium in the ducting before placing the blower motor back in, so my vents have a really nice aroma coming from it. Everything works fine and no more squealing. Even though it was faint, it would bother the sh*t out of me sometimes.



And Sergio, thanks for the video. Procedure is different for the B5 A4 (B5 S4 should be the same for B5 A4), but I took apart the motor/wheel more to see what it took. I had the squeal, so figure I can just swap this motor back in next time with WD-40'd bearings if this motor ever goes. The B5 motor is also different as you need to use a pick and hammer the shaft out of the squirrel cage blower wheel. MIne also has in and out play, so not quite sure if that is normal. But going to keep this motor/blower wheel on the side for the future.

[awdjunkies]

Ahh, yeah when I removed mine, it had a ton of, what I like to call, "LAVA ASH" or Nasty Dirt when I banged it against the wall a few times.

[sbaer2]

I got it done, but sh*t did that turn into a project. For future reference, you need to take the glove box completely out, take off the side panel, remove the 2 8mm bolts that hold the knee section of the dash, one more near the left side of the glove box, and drop it down a bit to let the blower motor out. You may be able to get away with not removing the glove box, but meh. And when you slide the blower out of the spot it rests in, you need to slide the motor to the left side of the big opening you are working with and you can get it out.

That was part one of the project. Picked up the blow motor and it had the same exact part number as my current unit. But...the connectors are different . F*cking serious? Good thing I noticed early before I tightened anything down. So, here comes the little mechanic in me thinking of what to do. Figured maybe I could just swap connectors. Took my old blower apart, and saw 2 pig tail terminals that attach to the blower motor. Great! Took the replacement apart and just swapped the 2 to make one functioning motor...I think. About to go outside and test out my climate control to see what's up.

quick question how did you know it was your blower motor? I believe mine is going..well im like 100% sure mine is going and im hoping its not the heater core because my brother told me that is way more money to replace due to labor involved and such. But yeah what were the signs it was your blower motor?... The sounds i hear when i turn on the heat is a low humm that gets louder but gradually goes away after a few seconds...and then today i turned on heater and it was a really loud noise coming from what sounded like engine/underdash board but it went away as soon as i turned off heat.

[Seerlah]

As far as I know the only mechanical engine part of the hvac system is the blower motor. Only part really capable of making a noise other than the vent dampers and ac compressor. Maybe someone else can chime in. But I knew it was my blower for a while due it happening and being audible only when running. Plus the squeal is a common issue of the blower motor. Pick up a used one and swap it int to see if it fixes the issue. Average going rate of the blower motor is $25 used.

[sbaer2]

As far as I know the only mechanical engine part of the hvac system is the blower motor. Only part really capable of making a noise other than the vent dampers and ac compressor. Maybe someone else can chime in. But I knew it was my blower for a while due it happening and being audible only when running. Plus the squeal is a common issue of the blower motor. Pick up a used one and swap it int to see if it fixes the issue. Average going rate of the blower motor is $25 used.

thats not bad..is it an easy DIY? Im still slowly learning how to work on my AUDI so is it an okay task for a novice or should i get help doing it?

[Seerlah]

You can do it yourself. If no hick ups, would have taken me like 20 min tops total taking my time.

[un1ko]

That's good to hear that's it's not to, to complicated to change the blower motor. Mine is starting to make noise when it first starts running, once the weather gets better, I'm going to change it. That way I'll be ready for next winter. Oh, just thought of it this blower motor also works when you have a/c. Right? Well, if so then I better change it before summer comes. Thanks for the info!

[Seerlah]

All the draft from the vents comes from your blower motor.

[Bee5.5]

I replaced my blower motor 3 years back with a used unit when it became intermittent & rpm slow. The motor brushes were really worn out. My used motor died a few months back. So, I had the brushes replaced. A shop I know did it for me but I could have easily done it myself with carbon brush blocks for car alternators or power tools. just find something bigger and carefully sand down to size with 280 grade sandpaper. To get to the motor brushes, you need to press in the 3 rubber mount block with a plain screwdriver to pop the motor out of the plastic housing.

[PLANETARY4]

Im having difficulties getting the glove box out. The side towards teh center console doesnt want to slide out. I feel like I have to take the center console apart. I took out 4 bolts from the glove box. any pointers or how to links? I've been searching.

[Seerlah]

Should come right out the pivot joint.

[catbed]

Seerlah can you access the blend doors once the blower motor is out? My AC doesn't blow cold but the system holds pressure and the pipe after the expansion valve is ice cold. That makes me think the blend doors are stuck/broken.

[Seerlah]

I really didn't look, so not sure.

[PLANETARY4]

Still cant get that damn thing out and i dropped a bolt behind the center stack. Not a good day. any who I need to take that side panel off the center stack/console to proceed. Do i have to take everything off like the middle console and all the electronics out to get there?

[iamshayan]

sorry to bump and old thread, but I'm having this same issue. Not really wanting to spend money on it if I dont have to, did you say your old motor was still useable?

Possible to just clean things up without spending money that could be better spent elsewhere? *cough*2.7t*cough*