E30 Blower Motor & Resistor Replacement

How-To Credit

This how-to was written and provided by “///M42 Sport” on the R3VLimited forums, with minor edits for this site. Thanks for the great write-up!

Parts

• Blower motor (if needed)
• Blower motor resistor (if needed)

Tools

• Phillips head screwdriver
• Small flathead screwdriver or pick

Torque Specs (ft-lbs):

• N/A

Prodedure

1. Open the hood, and remove the hood seal from the firewall.
2. Remove the 2 screws that hold the bundle of wire harnesses to the heater cover.
3. Remove the 4 screws that hold the heater cover to the firewall.
4. With the blower motor cover exposed, remove the two straps that hold it in place. These tend to be very brittle due to their age, so it’s best to use a pick or small flathead screwdriver to carefully pry the top strap downward.

   

5. Carefully remove the blower motor cover

   

6. Unplug the two power cables from the motor

   

7. The metal strap that holds the motor in place is hooked over the motor. Use a pick or small flathead screwdriver to pry up the clip.

   

8. Carefully pull the blower motor out of its cradle.

   

9. Here’s the cradle with the clip showing.

   

10. Unplug the blower motor resistor and replace if needed. Here’s an old resistor and new side by side.

    

11. The blade plugs on the back of the resistor look like this.

    

12. Replace the motor back into its cradle, and push the clip down until it snaps into place.
13. Plug the power wires back into the motor.
14. Replace the blower motor cover and relatch the straps.
15. Replace the heater cover, and reinstall the 4 screws.
16. Replace the hood seal.

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