Fluttering noise from behind glovebox

[Nor]

I'm getting a fluttering-type noise from behind the glovebox when I have the in-car fans on. Same whether air con is on or not.

I've taken the glove box off and replaced the pollen filter. Existing one was at least 2 years old, black and filled with leaves. With the pollen filter out, I cleaned its compartment of all the leaves too. Fluttering noise still there unfortunately.

Any ideas? Could leaves have gotten into the ducting, and if so, how do I get to them and remove them? Thanks.

[Jim Playford]

Sounds like you have got leaves in the heater fan, my ZS had this, drop the fan/motor assembly out (only three screws) and give it a clean out.

[Nor]

Originally Posted by Jim Playford

Sounds like you have got leaves in the heater fan, my ZS had this, drop the fan/motor assembly out (only three screws) and give it a clean out.

Cheers Jim, is the fan/motor assembly at the left hand side of the gubbins behind the glovebox?

[Andyholic]

I think you been hiding a bird in your car, Nor! lol.

[Jim Playford]

Yes thats the one, take your pollen filter out and look inside you can just about see it.

[SDI_Tim]

It took me over half an hour to drop the heater fan out on my 2003 ZS, as a lot of things had to be moved to free the motor. Jim you must have a better technique than me, feel free to post what it is.

Mine had leaves in the motor, removing these solved the problem for a while. The latest batch of leaves came out when I removed the pollen filter and turned the fan on full.

[warwickswinger]

Originally Posted by SDI_Tim

Mine had leaves in the motor, removing these solved the problem for a while. The latest batch of leaves came out when I removed the pollen filter and turned the fan on full.

Exactly what I did about two weeks ago

[Nor]

Originally Posted by Jim Playford

Yes thats the one, take your pollen filter out and look inside you can just about see it.

Jim, any chance of an idiot's guide on how to remove it? See a multitude of screws, but not sure which actually free it. Thanks in advance.

[Jim Playford]

Drop the glovebox out, only two screws, look up underneath the heater ducting to the far left, right up against the bottom of the "a" pillar, there you will see the round base of the fan. There are three screws vertically up into the fan motor base, here you should also see the wires connecting to the motor, remove these three screws and the motor/fan will fall out. If its a bit tight, pull off the trim at the bottom of the "a" post, the trim that covers the edge of the carpet, and goes around the door apeture and under the edge of the sill trim. Hope this helps, Jim.

[mrnibbler]

where is the best place to get a pollon filter from? thanks

[Nor]

Originally Posted by Jim Playford

Drop the glovebox out, only two screws, look up underneath the heater ducting to the far left, right up against the bottom of the "a" pillar, there you will see the round base of the fan. There are three screws vertically up into the fan motor base, here you should also see the wires connecting to the motor, remove these three screws and the motor/fan will fall out. If its a bit tight, pull off the trim at the bottom of the "a" post, the trim that covers the edge of the carpet, and goes around the door apeture and under the edge of the sill trim. Hope this helps, Jim.

Many thanks Jim, will give this a go tomorrow.

Originally Posted by mrnibbler

where is the best place to get a pollon filter from? thanks

I got mine from http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/

To fit it remove glovebox with the 2 bolts (8mm) underneath. Then remove metal brace (3x8mm, 1x10mm). Unplug blue plug if it's in the way. Pull out pollen filter. Replace.

[mogodon]

I wasn't getting hardly any air out my vents, so also replaced pollen filter, helped a bit, but still pathetic (a moth flapping it's wings would have moved more air !!!). So I also dropped motor out, and fan was full to top of leaves, seeds twigs etc (how does it all get in there, thought the scuttle grills were 'sposed to stop this), cleaned all out and hoovered and now get a positive gale out my vents !!!!!
________
LovelyWendie99

[technozen]

If you take the grill off from the bottom of the windscreen you will be surprised how exposed the fan motor is.

The opening is approx 6" x 4" and drops vertically down onto the motor,you can actually see squirrel cage fan blades.

All in all a rather poor design, a simple mesh above the opening would stop debris entering.

[mogodon]

Is it worth the agro and bother of removing this grille and giving the scuttle a good clean out. Living in an avenue, and parking under trees, you very swiftly lose your love of them and our feathered friends that sit and s***t from them !!!!!!
________
LovelyWendie99

[TBZed]

Originally Posted by technozen

All in all a rather poor design, a simple mesh above the opening would stop debris entering.

But then the mesh would become blocked and its more of a **** to remove scuttle panel than to drop fan motor.

Did a similar thing to a Maestro I had, made a rectangular frame to go over intake out of a welding rod, then fitted some material out of a pair of old tights to the frame, couple of brackets to hold it all in place and cut a hole in scuttle with a piece of plate to cover it, to allow cleaning, job done.

Don't think theres anywhere that you can put a hole in the scuttle panel (the plastic bit) that wouldn't be visible, the Maestros' was vertical in the engine compartment.

[Andy S]

I have the same problem with mine, stripped it out before some time back but it's returned again.

If the fine weather continues all day today then I'll upload some removal pics to help others out.

Main problem I have is locating a Halfords store that stocks to correct Cabin filter, they are like gold dust for some reason. Will try Rimmers.

[TBZed]

Originally Posted by Andy S

I have the same problem with mine, stripped it out before some time back but it's returned again.

If the fine weather continues all day today then I'll upload some removal pics to help others out.

Main problem I have is locating a Halfords store that stocks to correct Cabin filter, they are like gold dust for some reason. Will try Rimmers.

Get them quite cheap off Ebay at times, worth buying in advance to save having to get expensive one.

[Nor]

Originally Posted by Andy S

I have the same problem with mine, stripped it out before some time back but it's returned again.

If the fine weather continues all day today then I'll upload some removal pics to help others out.

Main problem I have is locating a Halfords store that stocks to correct Cabin filter, they are like gold dust for some reason. Will try Rimmers.

I got mine from Rimmers. Haven't got around to dropping my heater fan out yet, a pic would be great.

[Andy S]

The sun shining in the Lake District is about as rare as my GSDi running without problems.

What better way to spend this fine day tearing my dashboard to bits.

Pics as promised as to getting at fan to clean.

After removing glovebox I backed off the casing screws to allow flex.


I then removed pollen filter housing which can be seen as a slim panel, this can be unclipped top or bottom.


Without going any further I could just about prise the housing back enough to expose the fan and get a hoover in


Just out of interest, anybody know what this is before I put it back together???
Picture not great but it's a small cable or sheath covered wire with something on the end I'm not sure about.

[TBZed]

Originally Posted by Andy S

Just out of interest, anybody know what this is before I put it back together???
Picture not great but it's a small cable or sheath covered wire with something on the end I'm not sure about.

Don't know about cable, but it looks as if you still have a leaf in the middl of your blower.