StealthGTI
Autocross Champion
- Location
- Newport News, VA
- Car(s)
- 2017 GTI Sport
Hello,
My interior blower motor (ventilation) started making some sickly noises around the 70,000-mile mark. It was disappointing on a car that was just over two years old. Later, the fan speed began to fluctuate until it eventually became unreliable, working only from time to time.
I didn’t see much about how to replace the blower online, not even in YouTube. So I decided to take photographs for you and my website, as well as to shoot a video for my YouTube channel. Now that I’ve done the job, I’m very certain I could complete a swap in 15 minutes or less.
Here are the steps (refer to the photos below):
I think Volkswagen got the design right when they made the parts easy to remove and separate. My new fan is slightly louder than my original part. I’ll live with the extra rumble from the new fan. I’m inclined to think Volkswagen perfected the removal aspect of the blower because they expect them to fail relatively frequently. If that’s true, I’ll have a new revision in two years. HAHA!
If you're more of a "video guy," I've uploaded a video HERE. Feel free to ask questions.
Scott
My interior blower motor (ventilation) started making some sickly noises around the 70,000-mile mark. It was disappointing on a car that was just over two years old. Later, the fan speed began to fluctuate until it eventually became unreliable, working only from time to time.
I didn’t see much about how to replace the blower online, not even in YouTube. So I decided to take photographs for you and my website, as well as to shoot a video for my YouTube channel. Now that I’ve done the job, I’m very certain I could complete a swap in 15 minutes or less.
Here are the steps (refer to the photos below):
01. Remove the two plastic finger screws that hold the foam insulation in place beneath the glove box.
02. Remove the foam insulation. The blower is in plain sight.
03. Pull down the blower's locking tab, which points toward the firewall, about 2mm to allow the blower to rotate.
04. Rotate the blower ~20 degrees clockwise. The blower will fall free.
05. Remove the blower; remember – it is still electrically connected to the car.
06. Unplug the blower’s power cable; move the blower to a working surface.
07. Unplug the resistor power cable.
08. Remove the two resistor mounting screws using a T20 driver (the only tool needed).
09. Remove the resistor and transfer to the new blower; install its mounting screws.
10. Insert the resistor power cable until it clicks.
11. Maneuver the blower into its mounting position; orient the mounting tab towards the firewall and the resistor toward the right.
12. Rotate the blower slightly left or right to get it to seat, then rotate it counter-clockwise to lock it into place.
13. Insert the blower power cable until it clicks.
14. Test the blower. The blower will not run faster than “4” unless the engine is running.
15. Install the foam insulation; make sure to align the vent holes and finger screw holes.
16. Install the two finger screws.
17. Go for a drive and enjoy the fresh air!
02. Remove the foam insulation. The blower is in plain sight.
03. Pull down the blower's locking tab, which points toward the firewall, about 2mm to allow the blower to rotate.
04. Rotate the blower ~20 degrees clockwise. The blower will fall free.
05. Remove the blower; remember – it is still electrically connected to the car.
06. Unplug the blower’s power cable; move the blower to a working surface.
07. Unplug the resistor power cable.
08. Remove the two resistor mounting screws using a T20 driver (the only tool needed).
09. Remove the resistor and transfer to the new blower; install its mounting screws.
10. Insert the resistor power cable until it clicks.
11. Maneuver the blower into its mounting position; orient the mounting tab towards the firewall and the resistor toward the right.
12. Rotate the blower slightly left or right to get it to seat, then rotate it counter-clockwise to lock it into place.
13. Insert the blower power cable until it clicks.
14. Test the blower. The blower will not run faster than “4” unless the engine is running.
15. Install the foam insulation; make sure to align the vent holes and finger screw holes.
16. Install the two finger screws.
17. Go for a drive and enjoy the fresh air!
I think Volkswagen got the design right when they made the parts easy to remove and separate. My new fan is slightly louder than my original part. I’ll live with the extra rumble from the new fan. I’m inclined to think Volkswagen perfected the removal aspect of the blower because they expect them to fail relatively frequently. If that’s true, I’ll have a new revision in two years. HAHA!
If you're more of a "video guy," I've uploaded a video HERE. Feel free to ask questions.
Scott
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