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Blower motor when cold.
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 7:10 am
by Wahooo
So first winter with my pathfinder, 2010 and 92k, and the blower motor didn't turn on yesterday morning.
About 8°F.
Thank goodness for the rear heat at least
Work in the afternoon, 18°F.
No previous squeaks or squeals from the motor.
Motor works and sounds fine. Has all the speeds.
This morning 9°F and not working again.
Put the old hairdryer to it for a couple 2 minutes and on it goes.
What do you think, resistor? Moisture in the motor?
Order both parts from rock auto, about $40 a piece, which isn't bad.
I wonder which one it is?
Thanks.
Re: Blower motor when cold.
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 7:36 am
by VStar650CL
It's unlikely the VBC (resistor) is causing the problem (although not impossible, cold solder joints can cause that sort of behavior). More likely the motor bearings or brushes are sticky. Replace the motor first, if that doesn't do it then check for corroded or overheated connections before replacing the VBC.
Re: Blower motor when cold.
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 8:03 am
by Wahooo
Right on.
Parts come in Saturday. We will see.
Thanks.
Re: Blower motor when cold.
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 12:23 pm
by palmerwmd
Wahooo wrote: ↑Fri Jan 21, 2022 8:03 am
Right on.
Parts come in Saturday. We will see.
Thanks.
Please keep us posted.
When you do the install could you take pics for the group?
Might be real helpful to the next guy
Re: Blower motor when cold.
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 3:00 pm
by VStar650CL
R51 Pathies are easy, 3 screws for the blower and it's right behind the glove box. The VBC is right there with it. Frontiers and Xterras use the same setup.
Re: Blower motor when cold.
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 5:34 pm
by palmerwmd
VStar650CL wrote: ↑Fri Jan 21, 2022 3:00 pm
R51 Pathies are easy, 3 screws for the blower and it's right behind the glove box. The VBC is right there with it. Frontiers and Xterras use the same setup.
Not wanting to hijack the thread but I have some actuator in the HVAC, that sometimes does not work.
So in the winter it sometimes blows cold air for no reason.
Sometimes a restart of the car will fix it, sometimes not.
I'm not sure who locally here I can trust to take care of it.
When it runs properly it seems the heater is strong enough for arctic winter.
Re: Blower motor when cold.
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 6:40 pm
by VStar650CL
That isn't good, the R51's Mix Door Servo (or driver's mix if your system is Auto) is mounted on top of the HVAC housing and requires removing the dashpad to replace.
Re: Blower motor when cold.
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 7:14 pm
by palmerwmd
VStar650CL wrote: ↑Fri Jan 21, 2022 6:40 pm
That isn't good, the R51's Mix Door Servo (or driver's mix if your system is Auto) is mounted on top of the HVAC housing and requires removing the dashpad to replace.
So Nissan dealer only?
Or?
How many book hours you think?
PS: Yes I have the Auto system its an SE with maximum packages to bring it up to an LE except for the key instead of the LEs fob.
Re: Blower motor when cold.
Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 6:57 am
by VStar650CL
The dashpad isn't rocket science, just a lot of work, and the actuator is two phillips head screws once you get at it. On an older ride the real issue is due care, because all that dash plastic gets brittle. Use someone who's trustworthy and circumspect, and be forgiving if something cracks anyway. I'm about as circumspect as they come, but sometimes stuff just gives up instead of popping loose. On a high-end model with a lot of disconnecting to do, we get 10 hours. It doesn't necessarily take that long if everything goes well, but like I said, there's a good chance of unpredictable difficulties that can make it take much longer than it should.
Re: Blower motor when cold.
Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2022 8:21 pm
by Wahooo
This ones a wrap.
Pull the trim in the front corner, 3X5.5mm screws, and the blower drops right into your hand.
Couldn't have been any easier.
It didn't really look terrible or seem to be too tight but the problem did occur when it was really cold and it was pretty warm in the garage.
I'll leave for work Tuesday at a crisp 2° so we'll see if we got it.
Thanks for everyone's input.
Re: Blower motor when cold.
Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2022 8:27 pm
by palmerwmd
Wahooo wrote: ↑Sun Jan 23, 2022 8:21 pm
This ones a wrap.
Pull the trim in the front corner, 3X5.5mm screws, and the blower drops right into your hand.
Couldn't have been any easier.
It didn't really look terrible or seem to be too tight but the problem did occur when it was really cold and it was pretty warm in the garage.
I'll leave for work Tuesday at a crisp 2° so we'll see if we got it.
Thanks for everyone's input.
Glad to hear it had a good outcome for you!!
Thanks for updating us.
Re: Blower motor when cold.
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2022 9:23 pm
by palmerwmd
VStar650CL wrote: ↑Sat Jan 22, 2022 6:57 am
The dashpad isn't rocket science, just a lot of work, and the actuator is two phillips head screws once you get at it. On an older ride the real issue is due care, because all that dash plastic gets brittle. Use someone who's trustworthy and circumspect, and be forgiving if something cracks anyway. I'm about as circumspect as they come, but sometimes stuff just gives up instead of popping loose. On a high-end model with a lot of disconnecting to do, we get 10 hours. It doesn't necessarily take that long if everything goes well, but like I said, there's a good chance of unpredictable difficulties that can make it take much longer than it should.
So far I believe when I leave it on the exact setting for "mode" and it works as long as I dont mess with it it wont turn off.
Re: Blower motor when cold.
Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2022 2:06 am
by palmerwmd
I am glad Wahoo had his resolution.
My issues seems to have disappeared for now, HVAC seems to work fine. (shrug)