Heat/AC cabin fan not working

Tiny
ROERDINK
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 MINI COOPER
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 168,000 MILES
Hi,

The AC/heat fan on the inside of the car is not working. I did smell a "burnt" smell and then the fan quit working. I now have no AC/heat or blowing ability in the car. I do have an auto-controlled unit inside the car. I suspect it is the blower, am I correct? Is this a difficult repair? Thanks!
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2018 AT 3:45 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros. Com. If it does not work at all, chances are you are correct. However, a bad switch or blown fuse can cause it not to work.

As far as replacing the blower motor. Ugh! It is not easy. The dash needs removed. Here are the directions for removing the dash to access the motor. The first 13 pictures correlate with these directions. The last picture is that of the blower motor. Once everything is removed, it is easy to access.

51 45 030 REMOVING AND INSTALLING INSTRUMENT PANEL TRIM (WITH CARRIER AND HEATER)
51 45 030 Removing And Installing Instrument Panel Trim (With Carrier And Heater)

Necessary preliminary tasks:
Drain coolant
Version with air conditioner: Drain off air conditioner
W10 only: Remove battery container
W11, W17 only: Remove intake filter housing
Remove both trims for roof pillars (A-pillar) at front
Remove radio receiver
Remove inside entrance cover strip
Remove lower section of steering column trim
Unclip and disconnect heater hose (1).
Version with air conditioner:
Release screws (2), tightening torque 7.5 Nm
Detach A/C lines.
Installation: Replace O-rings.
Release nut (3) on guide pin/heater, tightening torque 7.5 Nm
Turn steering wheel to expose nut (1).
Release nut (1), tightening torque 21 Nm
Installation: Replace nut (1).
Release screw (2).
Detach steering column.
Detach steering column (1) from rubber seal (2).
Release screw (1).
Release retaining clips and take off cover.
Turn plug connection (1) in direction of arrow and unclip.
Unfasten plug connection (1) and disconnect.
Unlock and disconnect plug connector (1) from BC1.
Release side instrument panel trim on left and right and remove.
Release left and right mounting bolts (1) of instrument panel trim,
1AZ Instrument panel trim, screws to body 48 Nm
Unclip wiring harness at holders (1) on instrument panel trim.
Unlock and disconnect plug connections (1) from steering column.
Unlock and disconnect plug connection (1) from heater/air conditioner.
Release screws (1),
2AZ Lower instrument panel trim, screws 8 Nm
Important: Two persons are required to remove the instrument panel trim.
Installation: Make sure that connection (1) to rear heater duct is secured to heater/air conditioner prior to installation and placed in the correct position.

Okay, as you can see, it isn't a simple job. This post is either going to help or create a headache. I hope it helps. Lol

Let me know if you have help or have other questions.

Cheers,
Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, May 24th, 2018 AT 9:06 PM
Tiny
ROERDINK
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
How would I check for a blown fuse or to see if it was a bad switch? Also, is there a resistor I can check as well? If so, how? Thanks!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 29th, 2019 AT 5:28 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Welcome back:

Take a look in the owner's manual for fuse allocation. Identify which fuse is for the blower motor. Here are a few links to help with checking and replacing if bad:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-car-fuse-works

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

_______________

As far as the resister, most times when one is bad, the fan will operate on high only. I attached a picture of the blower motor resister. If you want to replace it, once located simply:
Remove bolt (1).
Remove resistor pack (2).

Let me know if that helps or if you have other questions.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, July 29th, 2019 AT 6:52 PM
Tiny
ROERDINK
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Hey Thanks! I have given this car over to my 16 year old son and he really wants to do this this with me, thus we are revisiting it. The only other question we have is how do you properly, "drain off air conditioner." Is this dangerous to do and is there any other safety precautions?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 29th, 2019 AT 7:10 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Welcome back:

You have to have a special AC system to evacuate and recharge the AC. Federal law mandates that Freon is not to be released into the atmosphere.

Here is a link that shows how to vacuum and recharge after a repair:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/re-charge-an-air-conditioner-system

Let me know if that helps.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 29th, 2019 AT 7:22 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links