Blower motor noise

pawski · Jan 5, 2006

While on vacation my blower fan on my 98D started making noise. The noise isn't so much a squeaking noise, but rather like something is hitting the fan. Like a playing card hitting the fan blade. Does this sound like the bearings on the blower are bad or could something be actually contacting the fan blades? I'm not under warranty, so I'm also wondering how difficult it's to replace the blower myself?

Thanks,

George

FSTDANGO3 · Jan 5, 2006

This has happened on our work trucks sometimes something like a leaf gets sucked into return entering blower under dash sometimes it'll eventually crumble up other times we had to remove blower motor to repair
Steve
VP
DOC

IndyDurango · Jan 5, 2006

From a full glove box, I've had a piece of paper get behind my glove box and cause noise from the fan. It may be worth dropping the box (easy to do) and check there first.

IndyDurango

pawski · Jan 6, 2006

After a few minutes of scratching my head, I figured out how to lower the glove box. Unfortunately, I didn't see anything back there.

From the Haynes manual I have, it looks like quite a job to take the dash apart to get at the blower. Does anyone know what the dealers charges to replace the blower motor? How many hours and beers would be required for a first timer to take the dash apart to get at the blower?

Thanks again,

George

FSTDANGO3 · Jan 6, 2006

Is the swap of the motor that bad? I swore that the motor could be changed without dismantalling the entire dash.
I'll check FSM mañana.
Steve
VP
DOC

Stephen · Jan 6, 2006

I have the same issue with mine, with the exception that once in a while the motor doesn't want to start running. Scroll down to december 15th post entitled blower motor. Big Al posted the page from the FSM regarding blower motor R & R, which is quite a job.

Since a firm whack with my snow brush is enough to get things running again (not to mention much easier at this time than a dash R & R), I haven't looked into things any further.

Before receiving a page from the FSM, I had gotten as far as removal of three or four bolts I could see/get to, and being able to place a finger (but no way for a wrench) on another two. From there I was lost and asked for help.

pawski · Jan 7, 2006

Stephen,

Thanks for pointing me to the other post. The wind is leaving my sails. Maybe that noise isn't so bad after all.

I'll let you know if I can figure out a way to get at the fan without a total dash R&R.

Thanks,

George

IndyDurango · Jan 7, 2006

Stephen was right. Here's the post with all of the instructions from last month that Big Al supplied.

http://durangoclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3288

It does look like quite the ordeal. My fan has brushed against its own housing with a little noice for a couple of years. I think it's because there's no OFF position on the fan switch. I'm to lazy to move both switchs all the way to the left I guess. Just leave the fan switch on low left position as my 'off' and the fans runs and runs and runs.

Perhaps there's a way to cut away the area behind the glove box to get to the unit. On a '73 Ford Mach 1, we did just that instead of dismantling the entire dash and all. After the swap, we used for a temp time an old license plate to cover up the hole. Unless you stuck you head under the glove box, you'd have had no idea!

IndyDurango

Grease is the Word · Jan 8, 2006

Stephen said:
I have the same issue with mine, with the exception that once in a while the motor doesn't want to start running. Scroll down to December 15th post entitled blower motor. Big Al posted the page from the FSM regarding blower motor R & R, which is quite a job.

Since a firm whack with my snow brush is enough to get things running again (not to mention much easier at this time than a dash R&R), I haven't looked into things any further.

Before receiving a page from the FSM, I had gotten as far as removal of three or four bolts I could see/get to, and being able to place a finger (but no way for a wrench) on another two. From there I was lost and asked for help.

I haven't looked for the blower motor and how accessible it's, but one trick my father-in-law taught me on an old Mazda that wouldn't start unless I hit a speedbump. It was to drill a 1/16" hole just offset from the base/dimple of the blower motor and add a couple of drops of oil inside the hole. You could put some tape on the hole after. From then on it worked flawlessly for years.

pawski · Jan 23, 2006

I wimped out and took it to the dealer. They took it apart and cleaned out the stuff in the fan and it's now noise free. Only cost $340 for the labor

.

Lightening isn't suppose to strike twice in the same spot, but I'm wondering if it's possible to install some screens on the air intakes (inside and outside.) The dealer made it sound like it's not uncommon for the fans to suck something in. Has anyone ever done this?

George

sdgumby · Jan 24, 2006

Same here. I also whimped out and took it to the dealer for around $300. Gas receipts from the glove box worked into the blower.

-Steve

Blower motor noise

pawski

FSTDANGO3

IndyDurango

pawski

FSTDANGO3

Stephen

pawski

IndyDurango

Grease is the Word

pawski

sdgumby

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