help-need a Fan resistor quickly again

[not so old]

Hi All,
My fan resister has gone again and I need it fast for the mechanic on Friday who will also be checking the reason why this is happening. It appears to be something to do with the fan sticking. Any suggestions on good fast supplier. I'm afraid the Bongo fury shop is out of stock. Would really appreciate your advice again

Cheers Anna

[mikeonb4c]

Hi All,
My fan resister has gone again and I need it fast for the mechanic on Friday who will also be checking the reason why this is happening. It appears to be something to do with the fan sticking. Any suggestions on good fast supplier. I'm afraid the Bongo fury shop is out of stock. Would really appreciate your advice again

Cheers Anna

Well the fan has to be looked at / stripped down / got so that it can spin freely. It is because it cannot spin freely that too much current flows as the electricity tries too hard to get it moving. This heats up the resistor and melts the soldered connections in it. Once the fan is freed up and working OK (or replaced) then, provided the resistor has not suffered too much damage, the solder points can be soldered back up. Otherwise its a new resistor too I'm afraid. Have a search on ebay. I saw a couple of fans for sale a day or two back, and maybe someone is selling a resistor. But try and repair first, as fans/resistors cost £ which it would be good to avoid. Oh and check the drain below the windscreen is not blocked as it is water overflowing from this that spills onto the fan and rusts it up in the first place, so that it seizes.

Good luck & keep us posted

[not so old]

Thanks Mike you are a real sweetie. I will pass that info onto the mechanic, because I honestly don't understand a bit of it . As you must know by now- not techni car minded, but learning fast-(slowly to you clever guys)
I need a fan as well as a resister by the sound of it. Thanks again . I will do another search.

Ever so Cheers: Anna

Hi All,
My fan resister has gone again and I need it fast for the mechanic on Friday who will also be checking the reason why this is happening. It appears to be something to do with the fan sticking. Any suggestions on good fast supplier. I'm afraid the Bongo fury shop is out of stock. Would really appreciate your advice again

Cheers Anna

Well the fan has to be looked at / stripped down / got so that it can spin freely. It is because it cannot spin freely that too much current flows as the electricity tries too hard to get it moving. This heats up the resistor and melts the soldered connections in it. Once the fan is freed up and working OK (or replaced) then, provided the resistor has not suffered too much damage, the solder points can be soldered back up. Otherwise its a new resistor too I'm afraid. Have a search on ebay. I saw a couple of fans for sale a day or two back, and maybe someone is selling a resistor. But try and repair first, as fans/resistors cost £ which it would be good to avoid. Oh and check the drain below the windscreen is not blocked as it is water overflowing from this that spills onto the fan and rusts it up in the first place, so that it seizes.

Good luck & keep us posted

[missfixit70]

Mike has nailed it, the fan needs removing, stripping, cleaning & relubing.
If you do decide to go the route of a new fan and/or resstor pack, don't chuck the old ones out, pass them on to someone who can sort them, they could then be passed on to someone who needs them?

[not so old]

Hi Kirsty,
I hope you are well.
thankyou for the info, I didn't think someone may want the old one, but realise now, that you clever folk can repair things- So of course if the mechanic can't fix it I will pass it on
to whoever needs it.

Cheers Anna

Mike has nailed it, the fan needs removing, stripping, cleaning & relubing.
If you do decide to go the route of a new fan and/or resstor pack, don't chuck the old ones out, pass them on to someone who can sort them, they could then be passed on to someone who needs them?

[bongomaan]

can digital ones be repaired if so i have one if they want it.sorry i dont know how to do links but try cars international on ebay bit spenny but quick...regards neil...

[rwill19050]

I too have a 'dead' fan.
I'm guessing it is the resistor pack at fault.
I will be stripping it in the morning to check.
If indeed the resistor pack is at fault I will be looking at replacing the defective one(s) with high wattage wire wound resistors.
Not sure of the specifics yet, but once I get the doo-dah in my grubby mitt I can then decide the best course of action.
I have a selection of high watt resistors in my 'junk' box, (shades of earlier power supply experiments), so who knows, I may be luck, in any case they are not that expensive.
So if it works I'll post my findings and some pictures.
Watch this space.....

[Shads]

I tackled the task yesterday. Loads of info regarding other bongo owners diagnosis on threads, and also in the factsheet. Built up a clear picture on what needed getting at and in what order. As soon as access to fan was reached (very easy), the fan was pretty solid. Decided that the arctic conditions in Elgin was as good a day as any to get stuck in and take the unit apart. Again, not too bad to get at. Once the fan was removed the base was stripped and once finally apart (taking care not to let the springs fly out) the bearing region was absolutely bogging with a slimey rust deposit. I took a good half hour cleaning the whole thing out, I haven't had a chance to test it yet, but some of the components did look incredibly worn, and the small cables inside definitely look past their best, but a good lube and I will hope it may give me a few more years service. My attention is now drawn to the resistor. I have had a good look at it and can't see what exactly needs to be soldered. I note there are several posts notifying the unit doesn't require separating, as the connections to be soldered can be got at through the sides of the resistor, but I cannot see anything obvious requiring attention. Is there anything specific I should be looking for? I seem to remember a factsheet mentioning the coil requiring soldering, but I couldn't see any coil through the side, least of all get a soldering iron tip at it. Any info on this would be a great help.

Anna, I was looking on evilbay and there are always a couple of resistors available, around the 50 quid mark, hence the desire to repair it myself and be happy to carry out the repair/overhaul of the fan, as it does seem a common problem.

Incidently, my windscreen drain overflow was full of leaves when I purchased the bongo 3 yrs ago, but there was a post on back then about clearing the drain. I now keep a long tiewrap to poke through it every now and then, when the urges to check it cannot be held back any longer.

Shad

[mikeonb4c]

One thing to bear in mind as that a mechanics hourly rate may make the repair approach not the best option if the job is labour intensive (unless they are a mate and not charging commercial rates). Also, as hinted above, I've never done this job so have no idea how easy to get at and repair the solder points are. But I'm sure you'll get it osrted. Its just one of those costly irritations that can happen with Bongos I'm afraid. All cars have their weak spots and boy can they cost when trouble strikes. Guess we should give up driving and take up reading books

[daveblueozzie]

Position of heater resistor,with drain hole above it.and drain pipe in front of it.

take cover off

unplug and take the two screws out, lift resistor out.

squeeze the small pins together to release the base

check if any of the tabs have broken loose from their solder

re solder any that have come loose, and replace everything ,in reverse order.

[Shads]

Spot on Daveblueozzie, Thanks

Shad

[not so old]

Thank you so much guys The information has been a great help in my understanding this resister thing. It packs up when it can't cope with overload or shorts out if water/debrie is in contact. Think I,ve got it. And must clean the drainage tube regular
DBO these photos are great and after studying them carefully myself I will ensure whoever does it- Does it that way.

Cheers Guys So much help

Anna

[mikeonb4c]

Thank you so much guys The information has been a great help in my understanding this resister thing. It packs up when it can't cope with overload or shorts out if water/debrie is in contact. Think I,ve got it. And must clean the drainage tube regular
DBO these photos are great and after studying them carefully myself I will ensure whoever does it- Does it that way.

Cheers Guys So much help

Anna

Nearly got it. What actually happens is:

1) Drain gets blocked
2) Water overflows onto heater fan and rusts / seizes the bearing so it won't turn
3) Electricity 'tries too hard' to turn the fan and the fan resistor (which is part of the fan speed regulation mechanism) overheats with the 'strain' so the solder joints melt

So the solution is the same i.e. fix 1-2-3, its easy as ABC

[not so old]

I have made notes, so apart from the resister, fan and motor it could be the bearings, or are these part of the motor? OK I think I've Got it Mike!-
I think



Cheers again - Anna

[mikeonb4c]

I have made notes, so apart from the resister, fan and motor it could be the bearings, or are these part of the motor? OK I think I've Got it Mike!-
I think



Cheers again - Anna

We're getting there. The bearings are the sockets (or rings) that the spinning motor shaft fits in (or through) snugly and rotates in. Te shaft bearing fit needs to be lubricated and in good condition, not rusted or full of dirt, or the shaft is likely to become 'gripped' by the bearing and not spin freely