Replacing the Fan Speed Resistor

[Infus10n]

If your aircon only works on some fan levels (eg: 3 & 4 only) then you will need to replace your fan speed resistor. They cost about $54 from your local holden dealership. The job only takes 10-20 minutes depending on how confident you are.

1. Pop the bonett
2. Undo the bolts ontop of the wipers, lift wipers off (WD40 may be need as sometimes they are hard to get off, remember to mark where the wipers were because they need to be put back ni the same position otherwise they wont wipe the windscreen smoothly)
3. Undo the black bolts under the wiper arms once they are lifted off.
4. Pull off the rubber seal which is under the bonett (just before the black plastic cover where the wiper arms come out of)
5. Remove the 5 little clips which are along the base of the windscreen (use a small screw driver to lift them up)
6. Lift the black cover up but be careful as they crack easily
7. Undo the 2 screws on the dome which is located towards the centre of the car
8. Under the dome undo the other 2 screws which reveals the fan speed resistor, unplug it and put the new one in (you will notice one of the wires are broken on the old resistor)
9. Do steps 2-8 in reverse.

Hope htis helps because it helped me and now mine works. Thanx to several sources for helping me fix this so i tohught i'd type up a simple method to help others.

[Infus10n]

Im not sure if this is for all models but its deffinantly for the VN - VS...

[jules]

$54 for a resistor??

[Infus10n]

thats what i was charged... i got the reciept for proof.

[rattattack1313]

wow...that seeems a bit steep for 1 resistor...is it gold plated or something???loool...( just being cheekier than normal...you'll get used to me.....I did.....)...
just rang Zupps in Mnt Gravatt....$51.00....... and he said yea, they are gold plated....loool....

[Triox]

wow...that seeems a bit steep for 1 resistor...is it gold plated or something???loool...( just being cheekier than normal...you'll get used to me.....I did.....)...
just rang Zupps in Mnt Gravatt....$51.00....... and he said yea, they are gold plated....loool....

If you are handy with a soldering iron, get hold of some resistance wire,
Dick Smith has Nichrome and Cuprothal for about $3.00, and replace the faulty coil in the resistor pack , just wind your own coil,
The length of the wire and the type of wire used will determine the fan speed,
but I just had a try today first with a piece of copper wire and the only difference was speed 2 and 3 were the same.
DO NOT use the copper wire long term as it can,t withstand the heat too well.

If you have an old heater or kettle with exposed heating elements , you could
probably use some of that too.

[baryscommodore]

thank, now my fan works. i gota vn n it the same thing.. so this applies from vn-vs models

[Infus10n]

thank, now my fan works. i gota vn n it the same thing.. so this applies from vn-vs models

sure does.

[Madhouse_Dave]

Thanks from Me also I now have a fully working fan too..

[baryscommodore]

i went to the holden dealer n i gotta replacement for my vn commodore fan resistor. i replaced it n still got the same problem. i noticed when i tried putting on the fan without the resitor only the 4th speed works but with the new resistor now its 3 and 4, no 1 and 2. my old resistor only worked on 3 and 4, i pretty much baught a $54 resistor for nothing, what else could it be? all my vents work, the blow motor thing works its only the speed 1 and 2

[Infus10n]

did you check the wires on your old resistor before buying a new one?

If one was broken its gotta be the resistor, if none were broken then its something else which i have no idea...

[kenwstr]

If you are handy with a soldering iron, get hold of some resistance wire,
Dick Smith has Nichrome and Cuprothal for about $3.00, and replace the faulty coil in the resistor pack , just wind your own coil,
The length of the wire and the type of wire used will determine the fan speed,
but I just had a try today first with a piece of copper wire and the only difference was speed 2 and 3 were the same.
DO NOT use the copper wire long term as it can,t withstand the heat too well.

If you have an old heater or kettle with exposed heating elements , you could
probably use some of that too.

Hi

I just joined, wish I'd found this old thread earlier, spent almost a whole day tracing the wiring from the switch to locate this resister. Location not in my service manual. New resister now $62.80 from holden.

Ok so the cuprothal wire from Dick Smith is $4 for 4 metres of 6 ohm/m 0.32 mm dia and the #2 elememt is 0.5 mm dia and around 24 cm long.
The cold resistance looks about right but I'm not sure this finner dia will take the required current.

Anyone know if the diameter is a problem?

I intend adjusting the wire length until the speed settings have roughly even current steps. I have the gear and ability for this but little experience with elements where the resistance varies with temperature.

I could double the 0.35 wire and this would give the same X area as the original 0.5 element. Would that work OK?

Another option is to replace the element with a 7W cereamic resistor.
opinions?

It's a bit of effort but I'd feel ripped off paying $62 for the part.


Regards,
Ken

[MyVPIsFasterThanYourVP]

If someone would please post the resistance values for all four positions on a working resistor block, it would then be possible to work out the required wattage, and then $1 or so per resistor instead of the bullsh!t holden $50-$60. Great thread,
Colin

[1991_Vn2nV]

Could always visit a wreckers. I got a resistor for $5 from U Pull It.

[kenwstr]

If someone would please post the resistance values for all four positions on a working resistor block, it would then be possible to work out the required wattage, and then $1 or so per resistor instead of the bullsh!t holden $50-$60. Great thread,
Colin

Hi,

There seems to be an upgrade of the resister unit, my old one has 3 elements in a metal cage, the new one appears to have an aluminium heat sink from what I've seen. I did some testing but bear in mind that the no 2 element is blown so is only an estimate.


#1 2.0 ohms
#2 0.8 ohms
#3 0.5 ohms
#4 direct connection to fan

Keep in mind that the elements are in series so the resistance on:

1 is 2.0 + 0.8 + 0.5
2 is 0.8 + 0.5
3 is 0.5
4 is zero

Plus fan load of course.

I used a amp meter but It had a blown resistor internally which was replaced. Since then the meter is probably not calibrated correctly and I think is reading high. My readings give:

1 4 A
2 11 A
3 18 A
4 25 A

You can see an even incriment of 7A between settingsl. I would not recomment just working of a resistance value because this changes as the wire heats up so is difficult to predict accuratly from ohms law especially as the wire available is probably not a good match to the original. I'd recommend connecting an amp meter and adjust the connection point on the new wire until you are happy with the meter readings and fan speed on #1.
Don't let the motor struggle to turn the fan. Only then form the that same length of wire into an element and solder it in.

I ended up ordering a new resistor on ebay as there is no local supplier for resistance wire here. Dick Smiths postage charge is a killer on small items. The figures are estimates based on measurements but should give a rough guide to get you started.

Best of luck,
Ken

[MyVPIsFasterThanYourVP]

so youre the bastard who stole my $13 eBay bargain.. then the next auction too for the $15 one LOL,
Colin
Oh and thanks for the values, I'm gonna try re-soldering the broken resistor, its broken right at one end, so ill soon see

[kenwstr]

It Wasn't me honest :-)

or was it hmmmm?
LOL


Ken

[MyVPIsFasterThanYourVP]

Will see how long my soldering lasts, all speeds working...... its so damn quiet on those first two speeds, like a secret club! Most people seem to only know the noisey group.
Colin

Lasted till 1/12/06, I got a spare from the wreckers so now we shall see how long it lasts!

[Bubbaj247]

I got a vt replaced the fan resistor $22.50 and works a dream

[m3taL]

well blow me over backwards... i never would have worked thus out...

so much money for so little wire.... might give the rebuild a go.

[lee345]

Had this problem when i had my VN Berlina, went to U-Pull It and i pulled it out of another VN, they said what the hell is that, and i just shrugged my shoulders and they charged $2 for it, worked a charge in my car. Was the best $2 i have ever spent

[DannyboyDS]

if your going to rebuild it, a trip to Jaycar for some ceramic resistors and heatsinks is a good bet, thats how we did my mates corolla.

You can get the resistors that go up to 30 watt, etc, etc.

[nzbatmanoz]

My VR heater blower does not work at all, not on any speed, would this be the resistor as well?
Thanks in advance.

[88GreenVN]

My VR heater blower does not work at all, not on any speed, would this be the resistor as well?
Thanks in advance.

unlikely they (all 3) wires would fail at the same time - normally fans speed 1-2 fails first. But not impossible.

Have you checked the fuses?

[mattman]

I'll assume the resistor in my WH stato is a unit unique to VT-VX with climate control? And probably more expensive too

Though it's only intermittent, may check the wiring around the unit itself first