Very odd heater problem???

[mk3miniturbo]

Hi,
I was driving along last night and all seemed well.  Then I lost first and second speed, so all I have now is third speed and "all or nothing". 
Has this happened to anyone else?  Is it just the swich or is the fan had it.  It was making a couple of weird screeching noises, but it tends to do that now and again.

Please Help 

[Si]

Mine screeches on position 1 and 2 but not on 3.
Wouldnt of thought fan would be at fault?! Maybe its the switch?!

[tobz.]

Common problem, the fuse inside the fan housing has blown.
this will happen if the fan starts drawing excessive current (like it would if it needed oiling and was therefore screeching).

[Si]

Ah, handy thing to know then! 
So maybe mine will blow soon?

[tobz.]

It's cheap and easy to replace but I think it's a thermal fuse as opposed to a regular one.
If you oil the fan motor Si it could probably be avoided.

[mk3miniturbo]

Where abouts is the fuse located? Should be easy enough, is the fuse soldered in and do you know where abouts I could get one from?

Quick reply, this forum thing is ace

[GTI EDITION (aka LTD)]

I thought it was called a resistor ( it's situated behind the metal plate which has the 4 pin socket atached to the plastic fan housing ) and should be able to match it up with one from any Tandy or other electronics shop . Just take it along or write down what's printed on it . Then just solder the new on on 

[Gambit]

aye just make sure you give the motor a serious oiling/wd40 when you go to replace the resistor otherwise you'll be replacing it again about 2mths down the line!

the reason the motor tightens is because water seeps down under the scuttle tray and into the heater housing. so give the housing a bit of a seal with silicone or similar

GSF stock the resistor packs also, if you cant be bothered soldering the new fuse in!

[mk3miniturbo]

Nice one,
Yes you are right I cant be arsed soldering the parts in so I will get in touch with GSF.
Am I right in thinking that the heater fan is under the glovebox side of the dashboard? How easy is it to take apart?

[GTI EDITION (aka LTD)]

Peice off pi55 mate ..... just remove the soft foam like cover from below the nearside lower parcel shelf then lift up the plastic locking tag on the fan housing then turn it anti-clockwise and it should come out  .