Does anyone know the best way to get at the resistor for the blower, or will I have to do a PIA dash rip-apart? I think perhaps through the ductwork or something? Thanks a lot!

Brett

Has anyone ever replaced the standard resister with a variable type, so more than four speeds can be had?

Here's what I did
http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=733293
Miguel
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My First Volvo - stock (for now) '84 244, 230+kmi. Owned it since 9/03

Brett -

The resistor is mounted inside the air box for cooling air flow. So, to replace it is about the same labor as the motor.

The resistor has four wires to it, all of which come to the blower fan switch. There is a separate wire from the switch to the hot side of the motor.

Suppose that you mounted a new resistor someplace else? Connect that one to the blower fan switch, leave the old wires taped off, and IMHO it ought work.

Problem: I have no idea how hot the resistor gets when runnning the slower speeds. So, I have no idea of a good mounting location inside the cabin. And, I don't know if running long wires out to a mount location in the engine bay would work well.

But - that's my idea of the day to avoid doing the blower motor rain dance just to get the fan speeds back in action. Assuming of course, that the need for lower fans speeds is what prompted your post.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

Brett:

The only way I recall accessing the resistor is by taking the blower motor out, which means doing the full Monty of dismantling. May I ask why you would want to access only the resistor? I've had to replace many blower motors but the only time I had to mess with the resistor was when I had to install one for the first time when Volvo first upgraded to the new motors that used them. I’ve never had a problem with a resistor and just left them in place when I changed the motor.

LenK

agreed-done dozens of motors and a few resistors only when the car was old enough to be upgraded. i you suspect a resistor, it's probably the motor aging and taking the resistor with it because of a high amp draw. good luck, chuck.

Right - the only thing that would burn up the resistor is a failing blower motor. But also, a failing blower motor can fail to turn on speeds less than full-on even though the resistor is still ok. Try that too much and then you'll have a smell and an open resistor.

hi there i posted this question a while back. the answer i recieved is not pretty. replace blower motor while you are in there. maybe since then someone came up with a quick fix.

I replaced the resistor on my fan motor about 6 weeks ago by hooking into the circuit at the switch and leaving old resistor inside its original position. The new resistor runs very hot on slower speeds but no heat on 4th speed. I have it hanging down along side the blower case on passenger side with 1200 degree insulation on the case and outer cover panel removed. just dont touch resistor !! HOT In the interim the fan now only operates on 3 and 4 speed --the 1 and 2 seem to have ceased function. I dont know if as someone pointed out the the motor is the problem that it drawing too much and cooked the new resistor. Im hoping to get thru till spring and do a total replacement of motor and resistor .Bring on the spring so I can get my MGB V8 back on the road !