Electric motor stuck
 

Hello all. While tracking down a vacuum leak in my HVAC system, I came across an electric motor behind my glove box that has a mini squirrel cage and what looks to be a cool air hose going to the blower motor. I did not lay eyes on where it connected to. I did find the little motor stuck and will need replacement. Am I correct on the purpose for it's existence? Is it critical to replace it? Or is it one of those German over engineering things? It appears that it has not worked in quite a while.

which car? if it's simular to the W124 it's a fresh air fan. if it's not working then i would replace it. it's there for a reason

i just had the same problem in mine yesterday. i was putting the covers back on and thought i would test the fan first. mine didn't turn while hooked to a couple test wires on the batt. i took it the covers off around the motor and sprayed a quick squirt of WD40 in there and it runs fine now. how long???? who knows.
anyway, it's connected to a hose on the end which goes up to the little "grate" up by the courtesy light. it draws air from up there to the heater box to let the climate computer know what to do. yes, it is important.
roberto

As pelon says, the little blower pulls air past the in-car temperature sensor so that the CCU can respond more quickly to changes in the environment. The little blower (or "sucker," since that's what it does) is very simple and can be taken completely apart. The problem is usually that the shaft of the blower becomes bound up with dust and dirt. Spraying WD-40 will help until the kerosene evaporates; the better fix is to take the blower apart, clean it, and put it back together. It will then last another 20 years.

Hey thanks for that info. It makes sense, since the A/C will freeze you out before it adjusts fan speed to a lower setting. I'll take it apart again and lube it.