I found a few threads in the archives here that said you could gain limited access to the blower motor by removing the cowling. Well, after tracing all the connections last night and getting no where I decided to try this. I removed the cowling, and the blower motor was conveniently hiding beneath a nice piece of sheet metal. I was able to access it from the side, through that nice narrow passageway. First, I cleaned everything out with a vacuum cleaner and air hose, but there was little more than a few pine needles. I then found that the motor was turning freely, but it would not start without a nudge. I first cleaned all the contacts with a strong spray of electrical contact cleaner and got the fan running, somewhat. Then I sprayed the whole motor down with WD-40, and it spun up that time. WD-40 will clean anything, including dirty contact on a motor.

Thanks for making this forum available. That little trick with the cowling certainly wasn't in the MB service manual. You guys sure saved me a load of grief.