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heater blower not working

Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 7:18 am
by malmac
Hi,

Plugged my tyre inflator into the ciggy lighter socket to pump up my bike tyre, the inflator ran for a few seconds then stopped, checked fuses, all ok but now my heater blower isn't working.

Any ideas what else i can check?? My rear number plates lights also don't work but not sure if related.

My car's mk1 scirocco gti.

Re: heater blower not working

Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 10:37 am
by Jack92
Is the cig lighter working?

not 100% sure how the mk1's are wired but could be anything really for example the blower switch may run from the cig lighter.

sorry i can't really be much help but if the cig lighter is working or not may be of some help to someone else who can help

Re: heater blower not working

Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 3:10 pm
by Nate
it does sounds like a fuse. try swapping the blower fuse, as they can look ok even when they're blown

Re: heater blower not working

Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 6:10 pm
by malmac
ok folks, this is doing my head in now:

the ciggy lighter works, the wipers and blower have both stopped. replaced fuses, still nothing.

the wipers run off fuse no 10, blower no 11.

Not sure what else to check now, might just replace fuse box as i'm useless at diagnosing elec problems.

Any other ideas??????

Re: heater blower not working

Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 6:55 pm
by Nate
Is there any sign of water ingress onto the fuse box?

With ignition on, have you checked for a live feed to the heater switch?

Re: heater blower not working

Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 7:53 pm
by Jack92
Yeah I agree with Nate. Turn the ignition on and meter out from the fuse box seeing if there is power there and then also at the heater and wiper motor to see if there is power getting to them

Let me know how you get on

Re: heater blower not working

Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 7:58 pm
by malmac
no signs of water, my next stop was to invest in a test light to check the feeds so looks like that's what i'll have to do.

Thanks for the advice

Re: heater blower not working

Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 8:42 pm
by Mr Funk
Hook the blower directly up to the battery and make sure it works. That gives you a starting point, just work backwards from there.
I'd wire up a bulb and start tracing the wires back, perhaps find out where the switch wiring goes and try that.

Re: heater blower not working

Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 9:52 pm
by malmac
Sounds like good advice - i'll have another attempt over the weekend.

Was supposed to be driving to Alton Towers tomorrow in it, but that's out the window, using in-laws rover 75 instead !!

Re: heater blower not working

Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 10:38 pm
by ianaudia4
Invest in a simple multimeter, they can be bought for a few quid in the likes of Maplin.

Re: heater blower not working

Posted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 10:09 am
by Jack92
ianaudia4 wrote:Invest in a simple multimeter, they can be bought for a few quid in the likes of Maplin.
agree but would say avoid maplins you'll get them for half the price somewhere else

Re: heater blower not working

Posted: Sun Oct 06, 2013 8:09 pm
by malmac
Latest update,

As i was fiddling around with the wiring around fuse box the fan and wipers started to work then stopped, still unable to pin point fault though. I changed the fusebox today, problem still there.

been advised could be ignition, used spare ignition, same fault.

Checked all earths also.

Scoured the internet, will replace a relay which has been mentioned a few times part no 3119631418. So fingers crossed......

Re: heater blower not working

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 12:40 am
by Jack92
malmac wrote:Latest update,

As i was fiddling around with the wiring around fuse box the fan and wipers started to work then stopped, still unable to pin point fault though. I changed the fusebox today, problem still there.

been advised could be ignition, used spare ignition, same fault.

Checked all earths also.

Scoured the internet, will replace a relay which has been mentioned a few times part no 3119631418. So fingers crossed......
in the case could may well be the relay as you said or a break in the cable somewhere (under the sleeve)

easiest way if it isnt a relay would be to get a cable test (tone generator type can't remember there full name)

you put this on a bar end ie fuse box end and run a probe down the cable which will make a noise if it is getting the tone from the generator and when the tone stops theres your break

Re: heater blower not working

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2013 8:35 pm
by malmac
Problem solved at last !!!

The fault was indeed the relay - commonly known as 'the load reduction relay'.

not sure if it was just a coincidence that it went whilst plugging accessory into ciggy lighter, i'll never know.

Anyway, thanks for all the replies and advice, always welcome.

Shouldn't be too long till i come across another head scratcher !!!!

Re: heater blower not working

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 10:51 am
by Jack92
Good to know mate glad it's sorted