Richard Green 54 Posted January 25, 2020 Report Share Posted January 25, 2020 A quick question guys before I start ripping the car to pieces... Heater fan does not seem to be working on my 6. To make matters worse when switched on it blows the fuse. There was also some smoke, which is not a good sign. Anyone had the same problem? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ed_h Posted January 26, 2020 Report Share Posted January 26, 2020 Motor could be seized. Ed Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pinky Posted January 26, 2020 Report Share Posted January 26, 2020 Hi I replaced the original heater with a squirrel fan, wich is three speed, I managed to fix the original switch head,onto the new switch now twist instead of pull but looks right Also rejiged the pipe work, so the hot air blows out of the side vents, top of the heater box I drilled a lot of 1/4 holes this allows air into the heater without opening the flap I keep the flap shut in the wet, dont want water getting down in the plenum, in the rain it works really well at demisting not for the faint hearted, Pink Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richard Green 54 Posted January 26, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2020 6 hours ago, ed_h said: Motor could be seized. Ed Yes that was my thought. The flap also seem very stiff or even partially seized so there might be a bit of rust in there. Heater out job I think. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richard Green 54 Posted January 26, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2020 1 hour ago, pinky said: Hi I replaced the original heater with a squirrel fan, wich is three speed, I managed to fix the original switch head,onto the new switch now twist instead of pull but looks right Also rejiged the pipe work, so the hot air blows out of the side vents, top of the heater box I drilled a lot of 1/4 holes this allows air into the heater without opening the flap I keep the flap shut in the wet, dont want water getting down in the plenum, in the rain it works really well at demisting not for the faint hearted, Pink Wow that was a bit of an upgrade. I was hoping to get away with a squirt of WD40. Unfortunately my current 6 is a later car, so no flap over the plenum. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waldi Posted January 26, 2020 Report Share Posted January 26, 2020 I would remove the entire heater box, this also allows you to clean and inspect the rest, including new hoses, new foam “seal” around the flap, lube the cables and a flush of the matrix. Waldi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedFreak Posted January 26, 2020 Report Share Posted January 26, 2020 (edited) I had the exact same problem, it turns out to be typical poor design. the wiring for the motor inside the heater box runs too close to the low speed resistor, which generates high temperature when in circuit , i.e. low speed fan, This heats the insulation which can then sag and short out on the casing. Solution i'm afraid is removal of the heater, repair of the wire and I strongly suggest some heat resistant tubing to cover said wire. Good Luck Richard.. Edited January 26, 2020 by SpeedFreak Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richard Green 54 Posted January 26, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2020 20 minutes ago, SpeedFreak said: I had the exact same problem, it turns out to be typical poor design. the wiring for the motor inside the heater box runs too close to the low speed resistor, which generates high temperature when in circuit , i.e. low speed fan, This heats the insulation which can then sag and short out on the casing. Solution i'm afraid is removal of the heater, repair of the wire and I strongly suggest some heat resistant tubing to cover said wire. Good Luck Richard.. Thanks Richard. Looked at some photos online to remind myself of the layout and it does not seem like a particularly difficult job to get the heater out. Give me chance to sort out a few other wiring glitches while I am under the dash. Also a chance to replace all the water hoses with a new set that came with the car. The car is in a small garage so I will wait for a nice clear day and get the car on the drive. I will then have a bit more room to play with. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ntc Posted January 26, 2020 Report Share Posted January 26, 2020 Check that the fan is not stuck on the matrix. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richard Green 54 Posted January 26, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2020 1 hour ago, ntc said: Check that the fan is not stuck on the matrix. Good call. I will make sure I run it before it gets back in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike C Posted January 27, 2020 Report Share Posted January 27, 2020 My radiator matrix failed last week, I've bypassed the radiator with a half inch copper tube until I can get the moral strength to tackle the job. I had the dashboard out last winter, and to be frank- I've only needed the heater maybe half a dozen times in the last 22 years. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedFreak Posted January 27, 2020 Report Share Posted January 27, 2020 Good luck Richard, the worst bit for me was getting at the three nuts holding the heater assy, you can see them okay but getting a spanner on them is tricky to say the least. I had the engine and gearbox out at the time so had plenty of access, not that I am suggesting this is necessary If you need any heat resistant sleeving, I had to buy a metre to get 150 mm so have plenty, let me know if you need any and I will post you some. Richard.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter keefe Posted January 27, 2020 Report Share Posted January 27, 2020 Check the heater switch as there is an unused terminal at the rear that can often touch the metal dash causing the fuse to blow. Cap it off with a plastic sleeve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richard Green 54 Posted January 27, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2020 3 hours ago, Peter keefe said: Check the heater switch as there is an unused terminal at the rear that can often touch the metal dash causing the fuse to blow. Cap it off with a plastic sleeve Thanks for the tip Peter. Took a look but nothing touching. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
elclem1 Posted January 29, 2020 Report Share Posted January 29, 2020 Had the same problem as you but it was a short in the switch try taking that out of the circuit , use a feed + direct from the Battery and touch the green and yellow and the other green and colour to see that high and low speed work. If they work then it’s your switch shorting inside. Cheers Clem Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richard Green 54 Posted January 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2020 3 hours ago, elclem1 said: Had the same problem as you but it was a short in the switch try taking that out of the circuit , use a feed + direct from the Battery and touch the green and yellow and the other green and colour to see that high and low speed work. If they work then it’s your switch shorting inside. Cheers Clem Thanks Clem. That is certainly worth checking before I do anything more serious. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richard Green 54 Posted February 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2020 Got my multi-meter out this morning and checked the heater wiring and there was a short in the motor circuit. So out came the heater and it is not good news. Was hoping for a few melted wires, which I certainly had. But the big problem was that the bakelite board that holds the motor brushes was cooked to death. Badly distorted, bubbled on the surface and it fell into two pieces when I took it out. So now I need a new motor. Bugger. Sorry about the quality of the photos. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted February 1, 2020 Report Share Posted February 1, 2020 Hi Richard, Revington do replacement motors - not cheap though. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richard Green 54 Posted February 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2020 24 minutes ago, RogerH said: Hi Richard, Revington do replacement motors - not cheap though. Roger I was on the Revington website earlier today. You are correct, not cheap. I am currently looking for an alternative 2-speed 12v motor that I can fit into the existing heater unit. I am sure there is one out there somewhere. Does anyone know what speeds the original Lucas motor was supposed to run at? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PodOne Posted February 1, 2020 Report Share Posted February 1, 2020 Revington must be getting them from somewhere. I seem to remember the same motor is used in the USA in their yellow school buses. I've managed to salvage mine but its not great so when I get a bit of time I'm going to have a go at fitting something more powerful into the existing must be something out there that will fit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stephen H Posted February 1, 2020 Report Share Posted February 1, 2020 1 hour ago, Richard Green 54 said: Got my multi-meter out this morning and checked the heater wiring and there was a short in the motor circuit. So out came the heater and it is not good news. Was hoping for a few melted wires, which I certainly had. But the big problem was that the bakelite board that holds the motor brushes was cooked to death. Badly distorted, bubbled on the surface and it fell into two pieces when I took it out. So now I need a new motor. Bugger. Sorry about the quality of the photos. Hi Richard. I replaced the motor in my heater earlier this year. I think the board looked ok in the motor I replaced, If you're interested I can dig it out. Your'e welcome to it no guarantee it will work but might be worth a try. Cheers Stephen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richard Green 54 Posted February 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2020 11 minutes ago, Stephen H said: Hi Richard. I replaced the motor in my heater earlier this year. I think the board looked ok in the motor I replaced, If you're interested I can dig it out. Your'e welcome to it no guarantee it will work but might be worth a try. Cheers Stephen Hi Stephen, Thank you for the offer. If all else fails I might take you up on that. But firstly, what did you replace your motor with? Did you manage to find an elusive replacement or change it for something else? Regards, Richard Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stephen H Posted February 1, 2020 Report Share Posted February 1, 2020 42 minutes ago, Richard Green 54 said: Hi Stephen, Thank you for the offer. If all else fails I might take you up on that. But firstly, what did you replace your motor with? Did you manage to find an elusive replacement or change it for something else? Regards, Richard Hi Richard I found a used motor on eBay it needed a good clean up but worked. It was an identical looking Smiths motor, it had a different fan blade but bolted in place nicely. My resistor is shot so I've only one speed. There are a few on eBay at the moment this one looks the same as the one I got https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Smiths-Motor-Fan-Overhauled-New-Brushes/202893155458?hash=item2f3d5fdc82:g:LU4AAOSwn~JeKaBb And other one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-SMITHS-HEATER-MOTOR-FHM-4322/324060366970?hash=item4b7380c87a:g:~WgAAOSw63teNXbp I think mine cost a tenner so took a chance on it working which it did. I've found the board just send me a private message if you'd like it. Cheers Stephen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
elclem1 Posted February 2, 2020 Report Share Posted February 2, 2020 Richard I know that openroad has a motor but no fan fitted. Not sure what he will charge but could be an option? PM him. Cheers Clem Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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