Replaceing fan brushes - see photos

[ressull]

Hi, I am replacing the fan brushes on my A4 (2002, 1.9TDi) and am needing some help.

I have removed the fan motor but can't see the fan brushes, I'm guessing I need to remove the black fan part from the motor but cant figure out how to seperate them?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[defsix]

I would imagine you have to split the motor to access the brushes. Or they slide into the side of the motors and would be held in by large grub screws.

[ressull]

Hi Defsix, thanks for your reply.

I cant see any grub screws etc so I'm thinking I might need to crack the plastic to remove it and access the brushes.

I was reading in a forum elswhere that some fan motors dont have brushes? I'm guessing that that might be newer models.

On a seperate note, I just realized that my title says 'see photos' and there arent any - oops! I was having problems bluetoothing them to my Mac, will try again later.

Thanks again

[ressull]

bump

[ressull]

Hi, managed to get the photos uploaded if that makes things any clearer. Been looking at it again this morning and I'm really stuck - tried to prize it open but the thing is sold!!!

If anyone has any ideas then please please please post a reply as really want to get this fixed as it is freezing!!!! he he.

[defsix]

If I'm not mistaken the brushes are the six contact points that all point to the shaft on the top of the pcb. Are you sure they are replacable? do you have the new ones ?

[ressull]

Hi, from what I have read on another thread you can replace be brushes, see link below:

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=85368&highlight=replace+fan+brushes+guide

I bought new brushes off ebay similar to these ones

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AUDI-A3-A4-Heater-Fan-Replacement-Carbon-Brushes-/270578569077?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3effbd4f75

To be honest, I've never even heard of fan brushes before so I'm going by what I read on the above thread (along with a few others) to avoid replacing the fan motor.

All the guides I have read tell you exactly how to remove the fan motor and then just to replace the brushes so I thought it would be obvious once I had the motor in front of me but unfortunately it isnt!

Thanks again mate

[defsix]

That appears to be from the B5 platform. This person on Audi Sport Network (http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a4-a4-cabriolet-s4-forum-b6-chassis/110548-heater-motor-intermittent.html) appears to be having the same problem. Again there is a B5 motor shown, however it appears to look a little different to yours, a B6 (I presume) . Are you sure they are the same ? Can anyone else confirm this with etka /elsa ?

[ressull]

Doh! yes, it is a B6 that I have.

I've looked at that many threads that I never noticed it was from a B5. If anyone has any bright ideas to avoid buying a new motor (£££) then it would be good to hear from you.

Thanks again for your help mate

[evobaz]

Not familiar with the B6 motor but on a B5 / B5.5 once you've got the motor out of the car then you need to open it up. There are 3 small black rubber stoppers on the outside of the motor. Press these in with a screwdriver etc and then the 2 parts of the motor will pull apart. You'll then see 2 small stainless clips. The brushes are behind these clips. (there's also a spring which pushed the brushes into the commutator of the motor - these springs will ping out when you pop the clip off so make sure you catch them!)

[ressull]

Thanks for the reply Evobaz,

Think the fan motor must be different on the B6 as I cant see any rubber stoppers to seperate the motor. I read elswhere last night that the fan motor on the B6 doesnt even have brushes so I'm a bit confused now!!!

Will need to do a bit more research I think.

cheers mate

[Nellyv6]

Hi have you resolved this problem cos I have the same issue with no idea. Thanks Neil

[ressull]

Hi Neil, no I havent resolved it yet unfortunately. I put the motor back in this morning and is working fine for the moment but I'm guessing when the temp drops again it will stop working.

not sure what to try next to be honest. will keep you posted.

[Nellyv6]

I removed the fan out of mine only to find it wet and the bottom of the glove compartment wet also, water it seems has been getting in thru the filter under the bonnet.

Suppose i will have to by a new one now.