Technical Removing fan resistor pack

[HHR]

Hi

I have a fault on my Panda where the interior fan cuts out and only works on speed 4.

I found what the fault is, the resistor pack has failed, been left in situ and the replacement plugged in but left dangling. It has got hot and melted some of the "cage" where the internal/external air flap swings and is pulling on the wiring causing an intermittent connection.

"Lazy person who's replaced that!" I thought, but I can't work out how to get the old one out either. Is there a trick to it? It just won't budge!

Cheers in advance.

 

[portland_bill]

Firstly, if you are going to do a bit of maintenance on the Panda, get a Haynes, book 5558. Scan Amazon for best price.

Second, your resistor has failed twice now, it may be a victim, rather than the cause. If the motor is trying to seize, the current draw will rise, presumably getting the resistor hotter. The resistor is supposed to be in the heater box, I assume this cools it. Yours hanging in the footwell will get too hot.

Resistor. (From Haynes)
1. Put steering straight ahead and remove the steering column pinch bolt and slide the column up and out of the way. Haynes says you must replace the pinch bolt with a new one. So do this. Such advice is obviously from Fiat. You do need the steering wheel to remain connected to the wheels when driving.
2. Disconnect the wiring connector.
3. Remove the retaining screw and unclip the resistor from the housing. (If the original got too hot, it may have welded itself in, so some levering and swearing will be necessary.)
4. Reverse the process to refit.

To check the blower motor, this is easier.
1. Remove the glovebox.
2. Disconnect the blower connector.
3. Remove the retaining screw.
4. Turn motor clockwise and withdraw it.

Once out, spin it. The bearings may well be getting a bit stiff. Try to get a few drops of light oil into them. Not WD40, it is too this and will work for a few minutes only. New motors are on Ebay at a reasonable cost.

Say thank you to Haynes by buying their book.

 

[HHR]

Many thanks, that's very helpful. My current resistor pack is OK, it's just a previous owner/garage has done a half hearted job of replacement and left it hanging. It's melted its way through bits of dashboard until it has found a final resting place of next to the clutch pedal/steering union joint