Heater motor and resistor

[ijg]

Please can anyone help!
My interior fans will only operate on setting 4, not 1,2 and 3. Air conditioning is the same.
Took to Vauxhall dealer and quoted £300 for replacement heater motor and resistor. This is a little out of my reach!
I have been told that the whole dashboard needs to br removed to do this but i can see the motor behind the glove box, which takes seconds to remove.
Is it right that the whole dash needs removing? If only the glove box needs removing I can do that and save on labour costs.
I am waiting on an estimate from a local independent garage for the parts but think i could fit it myself if told how to!

Thanks

[Gsi3.2]

if you can see it, then why not have a go..... i can't see VX designing it to be an utter pig to change..

never done one myself, but it would make sense to have it come out of the glovebox aperture or down into the footwell..

the heater motor and the ballast resistor are different parts thou, so you've got two bits to change..

[ijg]

Thanks, i would have a go btu lack confidence when it comes to messing with something like this, especially with it being so close to the passenger airbag, can just imagine it going bang in my face!!!
I'll see what the independent says and then decide!
I think VX told me it'd warrent removing the full dash to put me off as they didnt want the job. Their loss!
Thanks GSI.

[Gsi3.2]

if you're worried about the airbag, just disconnect the cars battery for about 15mins before you start work, and it will be rendered 'safe'

[ijg]

Thats a good idea!!! I'll see if i can get a 'practice' part from a breakers yard and try sticking it in, I just dont know what the parts look like (motor and resistor)
Thanks

[Gsi3.2]

well the motor is in a big plastic housing ( a large circular white fan)..and the resistor pack is an electrical pack that plugs into a loom nearby...

[ijg]

Again, thanks!
I am just wondering, why should the motor need to be replaced as well as the resistor? Surely if the motor runs on setting 4, it should just be the resistor that has failed? I hate technology!!!!

[Ian]

hang fire a tick thoughs guys, I doubt the motor has gone if it still works on setting four, its just the resistor thats gone. This happened to mine and although it was fixed by Vaux under warranty, including a 1st year service it took them less than 5hrs from me dropping it off to picking it up.

[ijg]

So bearing in mind what Ian just said, i think it would be best to change the resistor pack?
I can't see why vx would say the motor needs changing?
I will take it into a different masterfit tomorrow and get a 2nd opinion.
Will keep you posted!

[ratty369]

Mine has got the exactly the same problem!!
It is going into VX this week, they told me that they suspect the resistor pack has gone, but will need to investigate first then order the parts, i asked them if they could just order the resistor pack in first, but was told "we cant do that cause if its not that part we cant send it back!!!"
Oh great so now i have to make 2 trips, Thats what i call customer service!! Is being done under warrenty though.