Blown rheostat on fan heater - is new motor neede too?

[ted1888]

Morning all. I have posted a similar question over in the Rapid thread but being an ex Fabia mark 1 owner and exactly the same issue on that car too - I hope fellow members will excuse the "double post". However, with so many more posts on this forum, I thought it would be worth a try to ask for help

This is now our second Skoda (i.e. Rapid Spaceback) where we've suffered with the fan/blower working max or not at all. When I last looked into this with the Fabia, cause was blown rheostat. As we were selling the Fabia at the time, we didn't get it fixed, but advised the buyer of the problem.

Same thing has now happened with the Rapid Spaceback which is 9 months outside warranty! 

I know it's the rheostat and the local garage (Indie) have said they normally replace the motor unit as well because rheostat replacement without a new motor often results in the car having to go back in again for another rheostat a few months later and this time, the motor as well.

Just wondering if anyone who has been through the same thing can help out. Is it crucial to have the fan motor replaced now or is it a risk worth taking? I cannot honestly believe that this issue and the implications for a new motor are any different netween our old mark 1 Fabia and the current Spaceback.

We're probably talking £150 for the rheostat and about double if we have the motor done as well. We're not penny pinching - just not wanting to throw cash away if we don't need to. 

many thanks

 

[TMB]

If the resistor is £150 it must be different to the Fabia ones as you can get them for about £10-£15. I don't see why the fan would need replacing as well but I'm not familiar with Rapid models. A dirty cabin filter is often the cause of resistor failure.

Edited 12 August, 2017 by TMB

[rum4mo]

I'd be guessing that the VWG Indie, with their experience of these things has been caught out with more than a few situations where the fan motor bearings were seizing up a bit or otherwise getting dried out, and so using a bit more current than they should - that would annoy a new "hedgehog" as much as the pollen filter limiting the air flowing past it?

 

Edit:- if you are not in a position to physically check that motor and/or check its running current, I think that you should consider letting that indie make their mind up on what is needed - if you trust them!

Edited 12 August, 2017 by rum4mo

[sparky2]

I have just changed the blower resistor on our Spaceback and its the same part number as the Fabia - ebay £10

[sepulchrave]

On 8/12/2017 at 08:58, ted1888 said:

Morning all. I have posted a similar question over in the Rapid thread but being an ex Fabia mark 1 owner and exactly the same issue on that car too - I hope fellow members will excuse the "double post". However, with so many more posts on this forum, I thought it would be worth a try to ask for help

This is now our second Skoda (i.e. Rapid Spaceback) where we've suffered with the fan/blower working max or not at all. When I last looked into this with the Fabia, cause was blown rheostat. As we were selling the Fabia at the time, we didn't get it fixed, but advised the buyer of the problem.

Same thing has now happened with the Rapid Spaceback which is 9 months outside warranty! 

I know it's the rheostat and the local garage (Indie) have said they normally replace the motor unit as well because rheostat replacement without a new motor often results in the car having to go back in again for another rheostat a few months later and this time, the motor as well.

Just wondering if anyone who has been through the same thing can help out. Is it crucial to have the fan motor replaced now or is it a risk worth taking? I cannot honestly believe that this issue and the implications for a new motor are any different netween our old mark 1 Fabia and the current Spaceback.

We're probably talking £150 for the rheostat and about double if we have the motor done as well. We're not penny pinching - just not wanting to throw cash away if we don't need to. 

many thanks

 

 

No.

 

They want you to agree to pay the extra, they'll pocket the cash and leave the old fan motor (which you can't see to check) but give you a receipt and warranty as if it's been changed so in the extremely unlikely event that it really does go pop they'll actually fit a new one for which you've already paid.

 

It's called dishonesty, it's endemic in the motor trade.