blower motor brushes?

[sawman]

For a while my blower has been playing up - after a bit of research it seemed like it might be the blower motor resistor regulator might be the culprit. I just replaced this and it has improved things, but I noticed that the blower doesn't always burst into life. A sharp tap with the handle of my screwdriver seemed to sort it out - is it likely that the motor brushes have worn out too?

if so - any tips on sourcing new brushes or is it a new motor job?

 

[guydewdney]

i took my motor brushes out, cleaned them, replaced and it seemed to fix the problem. easy to do, if lying on the floor of the passenger footwell is ever easy...

 

[martyz]

Yes brushes,or oxidised connectors from regulator to motor,brushes can be bought on ebay for £5.

 

[andy27168]

Brushes need replacing, or the motor commutator is U/S.

 

[flango]

Was motor commutator on mine = new Unit

 

[Laters]

My heater motor was playing up the same after I tok the motor out it was obvious the brushes were past it.
Got the replacment brushes from ebay
Heater Blower fan carbon brushes Mercedes W208 W202 W201 Pair | eBay

 

[BTB 500]

I replaced the brushes once on our old Audi but the new ones only last about 18 months - suspect the commutator had been scored slightly and that caused them to wear faster. Replaced the blower after that - got one for about £45 from GSF which I thought was a bit of a bargain.

 

[sawman]

cheers chaps - is there any soldering required swapping the brushes (dont have an iron these days!)

 

[SL300-24]

Yes you have to solder them. I tried it on my W124 and it was not easy. Ended up buying a new blower motor.
Have a go the brushes are only about a fiver so not much to loose.

 

[BTB 500]

You need a big, powerful iron to solder them. If you don't have that you can sometimes improvise by running a self-tapping screw in and attaching the braid to that.

As mentioned though I would check prices on GSF/ECP/etc. for a new blower first, particularly if you plan on keeping the car.

 

[flango]

See this thread http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/parts-maintenance-servicing/157195-euro-car-parts-having-laugh.html

I paid just short of £70 for my Valeo one and its dead easy to fit.

 

[BTB 500]

Just checked and the one I got from GSF for our Audi A4 was £44.95 delivered.

 

[andy27168]

If the brushes are worn you should clean up the comm at the same time, as this can cause premature wear of the new brushes, as BTB 500 mentioned.
The comm should be cleaned with wet and dry, till the copper is smooth, then you need to undercut it by running a broken hacksaw blade or knife between every segment.
You should also bed the brushes in really by using wet and dry between the brushes and the comm till the brushes become shaped to the curvature of the comm and gain the maximum surface contact to the comm.

 

[sawman]

Cheers chaps, Driving along today the blowers making a bit of a racket and not running at full speed - makes a noise as if something was stuck in it. There didnt seem to be when i changed the resistor. does this perhaps suggest I will need a new motor. I'll search current prices

 

[vwJim]

Seems my folks car might have the same thing.

The fan started to make unusual noises last week, then stopped all together, no matter what position the switch was selected.

So pulled the fan out and removed loads of leaves / twigs / feathers etc from around the fan / resistor / and ductwork.

Tested the fan direct onto 12v and it span fine. Reconnected it up and again it seemed to work fine for several times of operating the switch at each different speed settings. Then it didn't spin on any settings. Quick flick on the squirrel cage and it would run on each speed setting. Again it started and stopped fine for several more times. Then played up again. Each time a quick flick sorted it.

So will be trying to clean up the brushes / motor tomorrow. Hopefully that will improve it. Or will show if the brushes are worn / damaged.

 

[salesac1]

Cheers chaps, Driving along today the blowers making a bit of a racket and not running at full speed - makes a noise as if something was stuck in it. There didnt seem to be when i changed the resistor. does this perhaps suggest I will need a new motor. I'll search current prices

My heater system had been behaving oddly for a couple of years. Changing both the resistor and the heater control panel didn't resolve it properly, so I eventually resigned myself to getting a new blower motor. Didn't want to change the brushes and find they only lasted a short time. I bought this Meyle one last month - made in China for a German company I believe.....some people think you should only go for Valeo, but they are twice the price or more. So far, it's working fine, fingers crossed.
HEATER BLOWER MOTOR W202 10/95-00 MERCEDES C-CLASS (W202) SALOON 93-00 SALOON ME | eBay