AC blower motor

[GeorgeS991@aol.com]

I recently read of someone removing the dash to replace a AC blower motor.
 That's the factory prescribed procedure, but If you are a bit more
adventuresome, there is a much easier way.  Simply remove the plastic weather
shield from in front of and above the firewall (under the hood),  remove the
top of the plastic blower fan cage (the large cyclindrical chamber in the
center (the blower motor is located inside the smaller concentric cylindrical
chamber toward the driver's side and this chamber must not be disturbed), and
remove the blower motor with fan after removing the c-ring retainer from the
motor housing on the driver's side of the smaller chamber).  To remove the
top of the large chamber, I used a hacksaw blade and a knife; the plastic is
pretty thin.  I reattached the top of the chamber with duct tape - it has has
been going for almost two years since.  I got a new Bosch blower motor with
fan attached by mail order for about $120 from Import Parts Connection in
Fresno, CA.  I can't imagine why Audi didn't design the AC with this access
to the blower motor...  I did this procedure on my 1986 5k CSTQ, but I think
most other models have the same arrangement.

Also if you have AC blower failure with the symptom that the lights go out on
the AC control panel on the dash, there is a good chance that your only
problem is a bad electrical connector (there are two of them) behind the
console.  I have bypassed both connectors (separate failures) and all is
well;  both are clearly underdesigned for the electrical load which is
nothing new with Audi.


George Simmons

1986 5k CS TQ  150k miles
1991 200Q 20V  75k miles
1994 S4 Q  20k miles