Blower Fan Took a Swim

[Black798]

Ok so as you might be able to guess by the title the a/c blower fan in my 98 limited took a dip. I had it out and was cleaning it. I started off with a old toothbrush and a bucket of warm water to scrub the dust off since the air compressor was working. Everything was going great until I dropped it. The thing was in the water for 10 seconds tops and then I let it dry for about an hour but its 69% humidity and raining. Now after it ran for about five minutes it intermittently sequels and you can actually hear the motor now. After about 20 minutes of run time I turned it on high and it wouldn't blow consistently at all. So I took the fan out again to hopefully dry it off but I cant get the motor out of the plastic housing. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Chuckles89]

When I had mine out to clean it, I couldn't get the motor separated either. I don't think it's possible without breaking it. My motor squeaks intermittently and it needs oil. There is a pretty cheap replacement on RockAuto that I'll probably get when mine finally dies.

As for letting it dry out, I would say leave it in an air conditioned place for a few days or a week and it might be ok.

 

[kevin8629]

Ok so as you might be able to guess by the title the a/c blower fan in my 98 limited took a dip. I had it out and was cleaning it. I started off with a old toothbrush and a bucket of warm water to scrub the dust off since the air compressor was working. Everything was going great until I dropped it. The thing was in the water for 10 seconds tops and then I let it dry for about an hour but its 69% humidity and raining. Now after it ran for about five minutes it intermittently sequels and you can actually hear the motor now. After about 20 minutes of run time I turned it on high and it wouldn't blow consistently at all. So I took the fan out again to hopefully dry it off but I cant get the motor out of the plastic housing. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Put it in a big bag with some rice for a couple days

 

[Black798]

Ok I will let it dry for a while. I sprayed some wd40 into the bearing on the backside of the motor and that seemed to make it less noisy when spinning it by hand. I think there may still be hope. I wouldn't think it got hurt too bad since it is a dc motor.

 

[bugman-74]

I broke mine trying to get it apart to clean, and I was being very careful. Replaced with a $40 TYC unit from amazon, and it works fine.

 

[AZ4Running]

Tyc makes good parts, I use them all the time. Op you got water in the bearing, it will be squeaky until the unit fails. Noise from a bearing is a sig. Of a failing bearing and only gets worse. Best to just replace it now or it will dye on you and can kill the blower resistor as well.