All,

Posting for my father-in-law. Car is a 82 300D with auto climate control. He just laid out a bunch of money having the A/C system overhauled after his compressor burned up. Now over time his blower motor was making 'a bearing noise' and then finally stopped working. I looked up the price of the blower motor and the cheapest I can find it is $460 and list is $700

There is also a resistor on the passenger side fender under the hood (toaster) and that is another $250.

My question is this. 1) Could the resistor have caused the blower to stop working in this fashion? (I am thinking not due to the noise and the fact that it failed over time and not all at once...but have to ask). 2) If we replace the blower motor should we replace the resistor as well? 3) If we don't replace the resistor is there a chance the old resistor that is in there could damage the new blower motor?

Sorry if these seem like stupid questions but I searched first and couldn't find what I was looking for. Thanks in advance guys.

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2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD (OM642)

No Blue: The blower motor is located under the glove box. It is simple to remove the unit with 3 ? screws and then unplugs. What you're getting is prices for the entire "squirrel cage". What you likely need is a blower motor.
The trick is getting the white plastic propeller off the shaft. A old German guy did it for me... so it can be done. It's probably brittle tho. If you need help I can probably direct you to a new Bosch motor for about $100... no shipping.

Unless you see visible damage to the resistor, I would doubt it is the problem and shouldn't need replacing. The best thing to start with is to connect 12VDC and ground directly to the blower motor and see if it spins as it should. More than likely, and the most common problem I've read about is worn brushes. Sometimes, if the comutator isn't severely worn, you can get by with just changing the brushes. These are available at electrical motor repair facilities or someone mentioned ACE hardware. The best option is to replace the motor, as when I did the brushes only, it failed again within a year. The motor itself is available here (click on buy parts at the top of the screen) for about $170:http://www.allpartsexpress.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=1982-MERCEDES--BENZ-300dt--/--L5--3005cc--3.0l--Diesel--Fi--Turbo-Climate--Control&yearid=1982%40%401982&makeid=MERCEDES+BENZ%40%40MERCEDES+BENZ%40%40X&engineid=1193767%40%40300DT++%2F+L5%2D3005cc+3%2E0L+DIESEL+FI++Turbo%40%40300DT&catid=Climate+Control%40%40Climate+Control&subcatid=Heater+Fan+Motor@@Heater+Fan+Motor&mode=PA

The squirrel cage is easily removed by supporting it well and a drift punch to the shaft pops it right out.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

I would remove the blower motor from the car and bench test it with a battery. Also test the resistance with it running.

if it works with a bench test then you know its something else. the resistor, the push button unit on the control unit or you have a wirinng problem.

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1986 300SDL, 211K,Dealership serviced its whole life
1991 190E 2.6(120k)
1983 300D(300k)
1977 300D(211k)

If it does not work with the bench test take a look at the brushes, they do wear out: http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W123BlowerBrush

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

You guys rock....thank you for the great responses! I will do as you say and let you all know what I come up with.

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2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD (OM642)