Blower motor dead.
 

Morning Volvo bods!
Quick question,
The blower motor on my 2012 V70 has gone to its final resting place (moment of silence please)
Had a quick look online last night as I planned to do it myself....I now don't plan to do it myself.
Has anybody got an idea of labour time/cost for doing the job?
The answer may change my mind back again.
Thanks,
Paul.

There are two aspects of heater fan motors that cause failure. One is the motor burning out and the other is the speed control system doing likewise. I'm not sure how this effects your car but some systems have more problems with the speed control than the motor. Hang fire until someone with more experience comes along to advise.

Thanks tatsfield,
It's been squeaking for months and then yesterday it was like Jon Bonham had moved in, a final drum solo before the inevitable.

Ah, that sounds like the motor seized.

You need a special tool to remove the motor. If you haven’t got that, then there’s no point starting the job. The tool alone is about £70.

A garage will charge around three hours labour plus the part (independent Volvo garage). If you go to a dealership, most of which charge £120 an hour, you’d be talking £360 in labour alone plus the part & VAT. Its an awkward job & a slow process.

To be fair that doesn't seem too bad, considering the work that seems to be involved and the need for the special tool.
Think I'll get it booked in on Monday, as 3 hours in the workshop would probably equate to 6 on the drive, and my elderly neighbour blushing at language.
Thanks all, I'll post a link to the video I found in case any body fancies a go.

I’d suggest you get an estimate first before booking anything in. Garage prices vary vastly…

The blower unit can be removed after removing the glove box. The speed controller is the prime suspect. Replaced mine with a unit from the breakers .

Controller failures are silent while motor bearing failures often squeal and the OP says that the unit squeaked and the squeak got worse and worse until it failed so I'd still back a failed motor although the speed controller would be a lesser problem if it's accessible.

Update,
Blower started working again briefly yesterday, but the speed was all over the place, so although I think the motor is on the way out, I'm starting to agree with the resistor diagnosis, picking one up from the breakers on monday, fingers crossed as it looks like a much easier job than the motor.
Typical it died again on the hottest day so far.

Remove the glove box, 3 hour job...... I'd ask if anyone has actually attempted the job? I have on a 2009 V70. I purchased the tool (Some where) I attempted the job and realised its impossible with out removing the dashboard. All the you tube videos that I could find were on a left hand drive. On a right hand drive you will be lucky to touch it! I had the job done by Avalon Cars Wellingborough (Volvo trained mechanics) it cost me approx. £1300 from memory inc parts.

Changed the resistor, no joy.
Just waiting for a call back with a quote to change the motor :confused_smile:

Pray for me

They just got back to me...
£375 non Volvo fan
£680 Volvo fan, all in
It's booked in for Monday

So hopefully I can just sit in the car on the drive Monday night wit the a/c on full.

Well done that man. Better luck than me. What model is it?

Yeah, I'll take that, I expected at least double.
It's a 2012 V70
I'm guessing your northants direction from your post, there are two Volvo specialists near me that aren't a million miles from you, the one I got the quote from is bpc in chesham and the other one is quintech in bovinhdon, who I haven't had a quote from yet but I've heard good stuff about him.

This is perfectly possible to do yourself, just a bit of hard work and making sure to follow the guide.

Well that didn't go to plan!
Dropped car off at 9am, got a phone call at 4pm saying they trouble getting the fan, then they came out with "it's an ex police car so all the wires are soldered!" "It'll take two days" and it'll be at least £600 plus parts.
Needed the car for work the next day so just went and collected it.
Anyway, I thought sod it I'll do it myself,
Armed myself with the special tool £70 bought an endoscope from Screwfix £70 blower motor £49
Passenger seat/carpet out
CEM out
Recirc unit removed
Speedo out
Then I found the release clip with the endoscope through the Speedo hole and slid a 1 metre aluminium ruler down to the clip and prised it apart while my helper disengaged the blower motor from the passenger side, all in all about 5 hours, and a lot easier than removing the dash, steering wheel etc
Soldered wires my @£$€

That’s the only problem with many garages… you never really know whether they’ve actually looked at an issue properly before throwing the towel in.

This was probably one of those jobs that they took on, but something much easier come in like a big service or something & they went down the easy path doing that instead.

So basically, you were fobbed off.

100% fobbed off, just couldn't believe the list of bs excuses he gave me.
Ah well I get the car serviced every six weeks or so, so I guess it's his loss.
Anyway, we have a new issue...
I unplugged a box behind the dash thinking it was excess police junk, turns out it's something to do with the ignition but I'll start a new topic on that one.

A service every six weeks? :shocked::speechless-smiley-5

About that, I have the oil out every 12k
And do London to Sheffield a lot plus a fair bit of stop start in London.
She's on 310k now and still going strong, just silly stuff playing up really, wouldn't have any other car, had mercs, BMW's, Chrysler's and nothing has been as strong as this old girl.

Ah okay, so she’s doing big miles. I’m assuming its a D5?

Merc’s are normally a good car for big miles too, but not cheap to run either. Which Merc’s did you have?

You had a Chrysler too? I’m assuming the big 300c… :teeth_smile::cool:

Yeah D5,
Love it.
My list of cabs...
1991 Granada... big and cheap, rear brake pads lasted about 4 weeks.
Few more fords.
1994 e34 520i...great car, small in the back.
Few bm's
2000 Chrysler grand voyager 2.4d...great all rounder, heavy on fuel, ridiculous on parts.
1998 e300 w210 estate...legend of a car, had somebody go into the back of it at about 40mph destroyed their Peugeot, I needed a new number plate.
2003 rover 75 2.0 cdti comfy, cheap.
2006 Skoda superb good trim bit dull.
And currently the Swedish main battle tank lol

That’s quite a collection.

Skoda Superb’s always took my eye, particularly the newer ones as they have huge boots & loads of rear leg room.

My friend had a Grand Voyager… very practical vehicle. I just wouldn’t know where to bring it if something went wrong. I don’t see many Chrysler Specialists about!

To be fair the Skoda was very reliable but heavier on fuel than the Volvo, I guess it's that old thing about the bigger engine not working so hard etc
I had the older shape, basically a long wheelbase passat.
The only Chrysler dealer I knew of was in amersham, couldn't get parts at the time from anywhere else, so mega bucks, didn't keep it long.
I think I've found my marque now, will stick with these while there's still good one about.
I reckon this old girl will smash my previous mileage record, that was 440k on the first Granada, although that did have about 4 auto box's.

What have you done to the Volvo during your ownership then? I imagine a few timing belts & suspension parts!

It's not been too bad,
Couple of cambelts
2 bottom arms on the front, same side, nearside still original.
1 rear nivomat
Blower motor
Flexi pipe on exhaust
I've only done the brake pads a few time.
I think it's because it's got upgraded brakes chassis and suspension that it seems to just not break that often, it's not getting the pounding that the previous owner gave it I guess.
It's very basic, it's kind of a fast transit van.
Hence the Monica my daughter gave it, the millennium falcon big, white, driven by a lunatic and can do the kessel run in 12 parsecs lol.

Basic? V70’s are well equipped in my opinion… Cruise, air con, electric windows, climate control etc. Or is yours a basic model?

310k is some going. Not many cars last that long! Is your auto?