2004 SAAB 9-3 blower motor constantly on fix DIY

[@jayggg]

Thank you very much. I had the same problem and followed your video and got the new part fitted within half an hour! I reckon a garage would have charged me something like £300-£350 for this work. Thanks to your video my total cost for fixing this was £24.51 - the cost of the replacement part on eBay. For anyone else interested the reason my resistor failed was because water managed to get in from the bonnet as I hadn't reseated the rain protectors that sit above the actual blower (in the bonnet), so the rubber seal wasn't overlapping the protectors. When I took out the glove box I could see that the resistor was sitting in a pool of water (I had taken the car through an automatic car wash just before but have only ever had the car washed by hand). Thanks again.

[@AcousticHills]

You are welcome my friend! and thanks for the preventative maintenance tip as well! Sounds like you really made some good time on it!

[@f296877]

If you have a manual fan adjustment knob you'll need a blower motor resistor. It's tucked in the back left corner just behind the blower motor.

[@AcousticHills]

Hey thanks for the tip! it will come in handy I'm sure. As for the intercooler, just follow the intake piping. It will lead to the intercooler if it's equiped. Not all turbo cars have intercoolers, tho they help a lot.

[@baronkriminel5801]

thanks, in my saab the water was flooded by a catroler, the movie helped a lot, some mechanics gave me the car, doing nothing, once again thanks

[@AcousticHills]

@Bigrich693 Hello. Sadly, I'm pretty sure that on the 2002 saab, they are buried good. You access those from in the hood compartment. You'll have to remove the wiper arms and wiper unit assembly. Which you will see once you remove the cowel and water deflector. Then remove the fresh air filter and frame and then you'll see the resistor end held in by a bolt. Unscrew it and replace. The resistor is cheaper tho, heh, so I guess it kinda makes up the price in labour...

[@AcousticHills]

Hello, yes. Try looking up HVAC Blower motor control unit or anything similar. You will get the same part. You can also call your local part store, I'm sure they can find the part if you describe what it does (controls fan speed). I hope this helps, good luck!

[@happydommo]

Awesome work... Had exactly the same problem, this vid, an ebay replacement part 20 minutes including a coffee and its fixed and all back together...

[@AcousticHills]

Beautiful, glad its good to go and I could help!

[@alancookson3619]

this was the problem with our saab thank you for loading this clip

[@AcousticHills]

You are welcome. Im glad you got it!

[@capgal67]

Great video!! My fan was not working, i removed my glove compartment, removed wires, re-attach all wires including compartment then it work again. So looks like the blower motor works, but it maybe be the resistor issue, or relays?? what do you suggest that i replace? i have a 2004 9-3 saab. Thanks

[@AcousticHills]

@kronIQeVil Thanks, I'm glad it helped. I think it would be easier to access the blower through the glovebox area. The motor has brushes, but I would replace the whole thing. I haven't priced one out so I'm not sure how much money they are, but that's what I would do. Let me know how it goes.

[@AcousticHills]

@capgal67 Hey thanks! Did you disconnect the wiring from the resistor and plug them back in? if so, then the problem was the connection. If it happens again, I would recommend that you remove the plug to the resistor again and spread the contacts for a tighter fit. But if it's all working now, I wouldnt replace anything yet. See how long it holds.

[@AcousticHills]

@CardiacBiH Hello, Thanks! I just want to clear this up a bit. The display on the climate control is not working? It doesn't show the fan speeds or it doesn't illuminate at all? Also, the resistor should be in the same location I would think. If not, just follow the wire coming from the blower motor housing to wherever it goes, it'll lead you to the resistor. It will be in the general location behind the glovebox. I know some American cars have them in the engine compartment by the firewall.

[@AcousticHills]

Very good! That's not too bad of a price either. Glad to help, take care.

[@andrewrunyon9418]

My 06 the same thing.. also 03 .. same thing different design on the resistor.. but also checked out

[@AcousticHills]

Did you pull your old resistor out yet? if you havent, do so. compare the two parts. If theyre both the same, you'll be fine. but if theyre different you'll have to send it back and have the right one shipped (If you dont mind having your glovebox torn apart while you wait).

[@machete417]

awesome thanks for the walk through. simple and to the point

[@sallybrooks6386]

My aircondiioner blows fine does that mean the blower for the heater won't blow? I can't get heat but the condtioner is great. Have any ideas Thanks Sally

[@2004sl]

Thanks for posting this excellent tutorial!

[@AcousticHills]

Drew Ski You're welcome my friend!

[@kingofkingsmc4606]

I have a 2004 Saab 9-3 Linear with the manual AC controls. Just had the blower motor and resistor changed. A day later it went out smh. Now its back at the shop. What do you think is the issue? And btw folks, its super expensive to get this fixed smh. Please advise all, thanks

[@AcousticHills]

Hello, that sounds more like the blower motor itself, not the resistor. How intermittent is it? every few seconds or every few hours?

[@AcousticHills]

***** Sorry for the late reply, but in that situation i would make sure the display is working (lights up and shows fan speed, etc.) remove the resistor and jump power directly to your blower motor. If it spins then i would replace the resistor, if not, replace your blower motor.

[@imaga75]

These resistors keep burning out on me and I have replaced 3 of these so far in the last two years. I have been reading that water trickles down the wires when u wash your car or when it rains and burns them out. I am trying to confirm this.

[@AcousticHills]

Youre welcome, glad to help!

[@bigrich693]

hi, do you think this video will also be useful for my 2002 saab 93??

[@AcousticHills]

If you dont have one, you would probably gain 15-30hp with one installed. This was my sisters car and she sold it not too long ago. I don't know if it had one, I never checked. my car is that M3 you see in the back ground at 0:05 :)

[@BaseDJsNJ]

My blower works intermittently and also sometimes doesn't work at all. I have the same digital display for my 2003 9-3 Turbo. Dealer told me it was going to cost $1000.00..... Is it safe to say that I have the same part gone?

[@AcousticHills]

give the parts guys your old resistor so they know exactly what needs to be replaced. They might have thought you were talking about something else.

[@AcousticHills]

sounds more like the blower motor, not the control unit. but to find out, remove the glovebox, etc. and pull the connector from the blower motor, jump direct 12v and ground to the blower, if it doesnt work, its the motor, if it DOES work, then its either the resistor or control head...

[@moeali356]

Did you change the whole climate control? Cause my Linear is straight with no screen lol

[@jdmfrost]

So my blower motor resistor went out a week ago I barley fixed it 4 days. Every thing was working fine until i started my car this morning and the same exact problem you have happened to me! Do you think it has something to do with me changing the blower motor resistor? I appreciate the upload by the way!!

[@AcousticHills]

Jonathan Nuno Hello! Thanks! Are you saying that you just put a new resistor in and after 4 days its on constantly? i would think it is that resistor. try to get warranty on the new resistor.

[@jdmfrost]

Correct! My blower motor resistor (different from blower motor control unit which is what this video is about) blew and recently replaced and my a/c was working fine until the 4th day when my A/C was having the same problem as you, which is the blower motor control unit? Do you think installing the the blower motor resistor had something to do with it? Many Thanks!

[@AcousticHills]

Jonathan Nuno Ah ok. I would replace the control unit for sure. I wouldnt think replacing the resistor would have triggered the fault seeing as it lasted 4 days before pooching. But perhaps by replacing the resistor, it may have sent good strong power thru the old control unit and fried it... electrical is wierd sometimes. lol.

[@christinamandarano1128]

Jonathan Nuno

[@AcousticHills]

@Bigrich693 I always use Carquest because they are quality parts and I get shop discount pricing because I do a lot of side work. Any parts store will be fine tho. Oem for electronics is best but more money. The resistor in your 02 is cheap tho, like $40. As opposed to this one, which was 350.

[@Thecaresnail]

Hey I have a 2003 Saab 95 with the same problem but the fan blower is underneath the windshield is the fan control unit one thing on there where is there a separate piece I need to replace please I need help fan is constantly on with no climate controls work to control the fan is there a speed controller somewhere

[@AcousticHills]

Hey there. Yes the ac control unit ( blower motor resistor) would have to be replaced. It would be the same one part like this just located where youve mentioned. Under the cowell.

[@Thecaresnail]

AcousticHills thanks you

[@sasharuiz2999]

i have a 2004 saab 9 3 . my blower ristor just came in . i went to install but it seems that my red wire connection is small while my - neg wire is large . on the risitor it has motor + and its a large connection and my - is a small. does this matter?

[@amart245]

do you know where I can buy this part? or what exactly its called? we are having the same issue with 05 saab 9-3 linear. thanks

[@AcousticHills]

Hello, I got mine at carquest here in canada. Im sure any local parts store can get it tho, if not, then you can order it online and have it delivered to your door :)

[@garyianstevenson]

Thanks.Problem solved.

[@andrewrunyon9418]

What up with Saab and faulty fan resistors!?!?!

[@Windavinci]

For a right hand drive 2005 Saab 9-3 is the location under the glove box?

[@AcousticHills]

I would suspect it to be on the left side in that case. Not 100% sure.

[@TheKiiDKAOS]

Where would you find this in a 2001 Saab 9-3

[@AcousticHills]

I think you access those outside in the engine compartment by removing the cowell. should be on the right side. I'm not 100% sure tho.

[@bigrich693]

also, whats the best place to get the part

[@adari9081]

Hey I have a question. I have a customer that complains about the battery draining over night and interior lights dont work. Replaced bcm and now the blower turns on and off and cluster gauges flicker .any thoughts?

[@AcousticHills]

Hello, I would do a parasitic draw test, that will tell you what and where your battery draining component is and go from there. may be another module or even corrosion shorting out those things.

[@adari9081]

Thanks for yourself response. The sid in the dash was bad and I believe the integrated module was shorting out

[@AcousticHills]

Ahmed Dari ah ok, im glad you found it. Thanks for letting me know in case I come across that in the future :)

[@adari9081]

No problem :)

[@AcousticHills]

Hello, it's not that bad of a job. The fan is in that housing that the resistor is screwed to. You have to remove that to get to the fan inside. It comes as a whole unit (with the housing) if you were to buy a new one. It most likely needs to be replaced, but if you can fix it some how that would be great. it is very annoying to listen to that all the time.

[@heatherminton4756]

My blower doesn't work 2005 9-3 do u think same thing/problem?

[@12345673941]

I have the same problem, but my radio also don't work???

[@sasharuiz2999]

my risistor does not look like that ....yet it is a 2004 saab turbo 9 3

[@getsudatensho]

quick cuestion i replace blower motor and resistor is brand new but when i turn the car off the blower stays on

[@AcousticHills]

sounds like you got a faulty resistor. ask for another one under warranty.

[@AcousticHills]

lol! Hope you got it back in.

[@DEEPSTANG]

Thanks

[@marcoscesar3781]

i have the saab 2004 turbo 9-3 2.0 l why dont have the unit control in the blow motor. my problem is the same i hope you help me thnks

[@AcousticHills]

marcos cesar hello, if its not located there then it might be one of the dreaded ones. located in the engine compartment. under the wiper cowel, water deflector, cab filter, etc. then you will see it. i hope this helps!

[@marcoscesar3781]

i will check thanks for you help

[@marcoscesar3781]

you do not think that manual control a/c may be failing ?

[@AcousticHills]

marcos cesar if it is constantly on then it sounds like you have a short in the resistor. i would replace the blower resistor (same thing). as a start. probably cheaper then a head unit.

[@marcoscesar3781]

thanks for you help, i buy all ready the blower motor resistor, its coming soon i let you know, when i set up the new one thank you so much my friend

[@GunfightersINC]

What is it with Saabs and everything related to the heater/AC blower motor being completely unreliable, Had my car for about a month and a half.. so far blower motor seizes, control unit shorts out, had my passenger door completely lose power..same thing happened to the rear door.. all in the span of 30 days. ridiculous.

[@AcousticHills]

LOL! i hear you there. A lot of electronics in the car and I think they may have went cheap on many electrical parts.

[@mocca01234]

you fan motor sized probably because you getting water through pollen filter (like me), check if plastic cover on the bottom windscreen is laying flat, when I change my cabin filter I bent that cover and water get though ... an you know story :)

[@21dolphin123]

wow really hard to see with tiny torch light

[@geeeeeee3]

Well after 2.5 hours looking for the part ; I went back online and found out that my resister was for a MANUAL climate control not an AUTOMATIC. I retract and apologize my last comment. It I had an automatic climate control unit Acoustic would have been dead on. Sorry, Jim

[@AcousticHills]

No worries my friend

[@rasheedaross3940]

If I Could Kiss You I Would!! You Are So Awesome For Posting This......Thanks So Much!!!!!!

[@AcousticHills]

Nadirah Summerville Haha! Im glad it helped you out! anytime :)

[@Marco_mourisca]

It's not that..the problem it's in thr blower motor...corrosion...dissasemble it..clean all the metal parts and it's working....

[@AcousticHills]

If there was corrosion in the blower motor, the motor would not be on at all; or it would spin very slowly. The blower motor here was on constantly which is a dead giveaway of a short to POWER. Not high resistance (corrosion). The issue I fixed here was the shorted control unit (resistor).

[@dmacc49]

I have the exact year and model as the video (color too by coincidence). My blower motor is making noise as if it's hitting something. Sometimes it's loud sometimes not. I'm pretty sure it's because the filter is a perfect opening from the firewall that lets in water. Anyway...did you have similar noise issues? Were you able to dis-assemble it, clean it, and have it work properly?

[@geeeeeee3]

Right WHERE!!!!

[@paulwarrington1966]

Their cars are a nightmare electrically. I've had one for 6 years and every year there has been something up electrically. Style over substance these cars unfortunately. Possibly the main reason Saab went bust overall...

[@AcousticHills]

I totally agree, it's a shame really. 😔

[@geeeeeee3]

You can't just keep saying pull the panel without IDing it. Please for the sake of God never do another video.

[@AcousticHills]

Thanks! Always looking for ways to improve!