Help - blower fan popping fuses

[Jimblyb]

Of course, on the hottest day of the year so far.

Interior blower fan stopped working - didn't notice - was driving on the motorway.

Checked fuses - two 15A ones blown (the left hand and centre of the three 15A on the bottom row - trying to attach photo but not happening at the moment...)

Replaced and blew immediately I switched the fan on.

Started eliminating - disconnected fan motor - didn't blow until highest position. Re-connected fan motor - didn't blow until highest position. Disconnected resistor - didn't blow until highest position. Reconnected everything - the same.

In all these conditions, there is the sound of a relay clicking on first position in or around the fusebox (I guess expected) while there is also what sounds like a relay behind the switch for the fan. It clicks on going from off to Auto and then again another click to position 1 but then, no sound going to position 2 or position 3.

In all this, the fan doesn't spin at all, regardless of whether the fuses are intact or not.

Anyone have any ideas before I start ripping the dash out?

Many thanks again all,

Jim

 

[Banshee]

Of course, on the hottest day of the year so far.

Interior blower fan stopped working - didn't notice - was driving on the motorway.

Checked fuses - two 15A ones blown (the left hand and centre of the three 15A on the bottom row - trying to attach photo but not happening at the moment...)

Replaced and blew immediately I switched the fan on.

Started eliminating - disconnected fan motor - didn't blow until highest position. Re-connected fan motor - didn't blow until highest position. Disconnected resistor - didn't blow until highest position. Reconnected everything - the same.

In all these conditions, there is the sound of a relay clicking on first position in or around the fusebox (I guess expected) while there is also what sounds like a relay behind the switch for the fan. It clicks on going from off to Auto and then again another click to position 1 but then, no sound going to position 2 or position 3.

In all this, the fan doesn't spin at all, regardless of whether the fuses are intact or not.

Anyone have any ideas before I start ripping the dash out?

Many thanks again all,

Jim

What rating fuse does it take?

 

[Jimblyb]

They were originally two 15A fuses - side by side in the fusebox. I can't identify what they are as it's a Japanese import and the diagrams are all in Japanese but two 15A fuses, bottom of two rows in fusebox, fifth and sixth from the left. For info, looks like 13 available slots in top and bottom rows; far right two empty on bottom row (12 and 13) and from left on top row, 3, 9 and 11 empty.

I exhausted my supply of 15A fuses trying to identify problem. It also killed a couple of 20As I tried as well.

Feels like a short but no idea where - guess behind the switch. Switch itself, maybe?

Cheers,

J

 

[Banshee]

They were originally two 15A fuses - side by side in the fusebox. I can't identify what they are as it's a Japanese import and the diagrams are all in Japanese but two 15A fuses, bottom of two rows in fusebox, fifth and sixth from the left. For info, looks like 13 available slots in top and bottom rows; far right two empty on bottom row (12 and 13) and from left on top row, 3, 9 and 11 empty.

I exhausted my supply of 15A fuses trying to identify problem. It also killed a couple of 20As I tried as well.

Feels like a short but no idea where - guess behind the switch. Switch itself, maybe?

Cheers,

J

That was going to be my next advise to you, step up to the next fuse up and see if it blows one of those, I think it's time to start checking plugs and wiring mate I'm sorry to say :doh

 

[Jimblyb]

Had a horrible feeling that would be the case.

Oh well...

 

[Mobieus_uk]

Doesnt blow until the highest setting, sound like the fan blower resistor has gone, not sure on the terrano but it's a common way to control the fan speed, would look into that first
Upping the fuse is about the worst thing you can do, it's blowing for a reason and protecting other components on the circuit

 

[Jimblyb]

I'll give that a go - have to start somewhere. I've just had the dash out and there are what feels like three relays clicking-in on first and second positions on the fan switch. The relays are all tucked-up under the dash by the steering column.

I have also worked out that one of the two fuses (the farthest right) pops as soon as the switch is turned on and the other when it reaches maximum - I'll give the resistor a try.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

I'll give that a go - have to start somewhere. I've just had the dash out and there are what feels like three relays clicking-in on first and second positions on the fan switch. The relays are all tucked-up under the dash by the steering column.

I have also worked out that one of the two fuses (the farthest right) pops as soon as the switch is turned on and the other when it reaches maximum - I'll give the resistor a try.

Thanks,

Jim

Resistor is a common fault on terrano but I've never heard of it popping fuses. It's located behind the glove box actually built in to the air duct, I think I managed to change mine without taking glove out though.

 

[Mobieus_uk]

Resistor is a common fault on terrano but I've never heard of it popping fuses. It's located behind the glove box actually built in to the air duct, I think I managed to change mine without taking glove out though.

Agree, normally just lose the speed but you never know

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

Agree, normally just lose the speed but you never know

Yeh he said something about auto fan, so different to mine, it may break differently :lol

 

[melissachels]

i know when my brake lights got out in the surf it was the tow socket cable that had rubbed through and touched metal causing the fuse to blow.

check the resistor as the guys suggest if not i think you looking to find a bare bit of cable

 

[solarman216]

in my early days of fitting in London the rule was stick bolt in the fuse and look for the smoke, , Rick

 

[zippy656]

in my early days of fitting in London the rule was stick bolt in the fuse and look for the smoke, , Rick

That's why they changed to blade fuses. :lol

 

[melissachels]

in my early days of fitting in London the rule was stick bolt in the fuse and look for the smoke, , Rick

I've got a mate that likes to use screws as fuses......don't touch the fecking pressure washer:banghead:nono:nono:nono:doh:doh:doh:bow

 

[glanrichbex]

It can't be the resistor as all that will do in cases of excess current is blow the fusible links on the resistor itself.
The last position is fused through the 15A and there is no ballast resistor in line so if this is blowing your fuse then I'm afraid you are looking at a shorted windings in your blower motor.

 

[Banshee]

It can't be the resistor as all that will do in cases of excess current is blow the fusible links on the resistor itself.
The last position is fused through the 15A and there is no ballast resistor in line so if this is blowing your fuse then I'm afraid you are looking at a shorted windings in your blower motor.

Would surely be easier to just swap the blower motor then?
I fear that means dash out though? :nenau

 

[glanrichbex]

Disconnect the motor, does the fuse blow now?