Deluxe heater fan switch

[agnes the dog]

A while back (when it was getting warm) my heater blower fan switch stopped working correctly. 1959 deluxe heater. I am able to use it in the full position or off position, the other positions are inoperable. Is there a fix for this? It seems the resistor went bad. I would prefer to try to fix it if possible. I have found the replacement switch at tucker for about $40 plus shipping. Ouch!

[Highsider]

Curious, are they 3 or 4 speeds?
Mine is 3-speeds and I wish it had overdrive.

[agnes the dog]

Haha, it may be three. I just know that everything between off and full blast is no longer working. :-(

[62lwbc10]

It's a 3 speed

[Highsider]

Originally Posted by 62lwbc10

It's a 3 speed

Dang...I was hoping "Deluxe" meant a 4-speed option.
Thanks!

[Daze57]

highsider

if you can get to it - pull the whole thing out and check to see if one of the spring elemente is broken .
its only held in with 2 screws - check for corrosion on the metal contacts .

[Daze57]

and yes it is only 3 speed

[agnes the dog]

Yes, the spring element by the ceramic tubes is stretched out and broken. Can I just replace that? Do you know what part to ask for if it's replaceable?

[OrrieG]

I do not know if the individual parts are available, but a replacement is not that much. Just make sure you get the truck switch and not the auto, the auto lever is shorter and knob seats lower keeping it from turning off or going to high. Vintage air sent me the wrong one so I used an electrical female connector to extend it.

[Highsider]

Why would my fan sometimes have a forceful blast, and other times seem weak?
In both scenarios, I still have three different speed settings.

I noticed it happening during the a/c season and I blamed it on icing up, but now it does it with the heater.

[Daze57]

''a forceful blast ''

hmmmmmm the only thing i could think of would be a power surge when first turned on .
maybe others will chime in to help on that question .

[Highsider]

Since my truck is in the body shop, thinking about the heater fan is all I've got.

Do the heater motors overheat and slow down, due to a partial seizure?

[Daze57]

the only other thing i can think of is that the inside brushes are wearing out
also if the fan motor is turning slowly you might have to grease the motor shaft .
i ran into both probs - and replaced the motor brushes ( not fun ) and then on another one i just greased the shafts , mind you i took it apart very carfully and slowly as to not lose any parts and have the brush springs fly all over the garage ,
also made sure i marked how everything went back together .
No fun losin parts to those fan motors .
never had one overheat ,

[OrrieG]

When I was driving my truck I noticed the fan was slowing down, figured the bearing were going. Took off the housing and found the fan cage area almost completely filled with leaves, maple helicopters, etc. After that removed the housing every fall before first use to make sure it was cleaned out. Might be the motor brushes too, I'd be surprised if you could NOT find a rebuild kit somewhere, most of those motors look the same.

[Highsider]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

When I was driving my truck I noticed the fan was slowing down, figured the bearing were going. Took off the housing and found the fan cage area almost completely filled with leaves, maple helicopters, etc. After that removed the housing every fall before first use to make sure it was cleaned out. Might be the motor brushes too, I'd be surprised if you could NOT find a rebuild kit somewhere, most of those motors look the same.

Cleaning it is my winter indoor project, when it comes home.
Thanks, guys for the ideas.

[agnes the dog]

I found a replacement motor at napa. I just took the old one in and the guys found one in no time. I wish I had kept the part number.

[Highsider]

I have a great team at my NAPA, so I will try them.