Which has more likely failed? The resistor which can be had for $23 on eBay or the motor for $59? Thanks for the advice.. And sorry if this has been posted too many times..

Nick

 

More than likely it is the fan. Usually when the resistor fails the blower runs at full speed for more than one of the speed settings. Was the fan noisy before it failed?

Note that to replace either the resistor or the blower you have to remove many of the components under the dashboard. A lot of people recommend replacing both at the same time since it is a big job to do either.

 

Helps if you specify what car you are talking about...

 

what lev says, the 240 and the 7/9 have completely different HVAC fan setups. the 7/9 fan is much easier to replace than the 240 (240 fan is behind the center console, while the 7/9 fan is behind the glovebox). a bad resistor will nearly always look badly burned with damage (an old but still good one might look dark, but not actually burned through). on the 7/9's, the resistor is visible if you remove the passenger kick panel and glovebox, and you can use a volt meter to see if juice is getting to it. even with a burned out resistor, the highest speed setting should still work if the motor is good.

 

Awesome, thank you..I will replace both.. So here's another question: on eBay I've found some parts that look like they'd work, but eBay is asking if I have a 240 Gl wagon or a base wagon.. I thought in '92 there wasn't a difference? If there is, how do I know which one I have?

 

it doesn't matter, GL is just an options package of stuff like leather, sunroof, alloy wheels.

 

the 240 fan is a **** to replace, btw. google 'volvo 240 fan chainsaw method' for a shortcut method that doesn't require complete dashboard+console diassembly, its still quite involved.

I would get the parts from a reputable volvo specific supplier like IPDusa or FCP Euro, eBay stuff is likely to be random junk from China.

 

Gotcha, thanks..I have the dash halfway apart already, so I don't mind digging a bit deeper.. the one I found on eBay is by MTC, which is what iPd sells (and there's free shipping) so hopefully that'll be ok. I appreciate your quick responses, again, thank you!