w124 Heater fan being odd

[ric220]

Hi there. The int. heater fan on my '93 220TE is being hard to please. Most of the time I turn it on and nothing happens for about 15 / 20 mins, when it suddenly comes on. When on, it's speed changes with engine revs, and under braking almost stops again. It also occasionaly rumbles when on, sounding like the bearings are going.? Am not much of a spannerman, so am hoping for a quick, cheap and easy fix (preferably involving sellotape and an old toilet roll), or at least a sensitive approach to breaking bad news...

Many thanks

 

[anyweb]

most likely the brushes are worn on the heater blower motor

it happened to me on my old 190d but i kept doing like you and turning it on, eventually the brushes contacts snapped and snagged in the spinning fan causing the whole thing to die..

i had to replace the whole fan assembly which involved taking out the wiper assembly, then removing the plastic shroud (not easy) covering the fan, then fitting the new part (which i bought from merc dealers)

approx cost was 50 quid for the fan as far as i recall and it was smooth as silk after that

so either replace the lot, or put new brushes on it before it fails even more

here is a photo of the old fan (notice the missing second cable, it snapped off)

http://anyweb.kicks-ass.net/personal/me/mycar/mycar (41).html

and the new replacement

http://anyweb.kicks-ass.net/personal/me/mycar/hubs/hub (1).html

have fun

cheers
anyweb