Heater motor--replace or lube?

[Steve Campbell]

With 51,000 miles on my 99, the heater motor started making noise on the last trip. Has anyone had any luck trying to "relube" the stock motor? If so, what lube did you use?



If an aftermarket replacement is the way to go, which supplier has a "reliable" motor? Perhaps "Mopar for Less" is the way to go. (That would be a replacement of the lowest cost supplier's motor, right ?) Thanks for the help!!!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

ASSUMING it's just a mechanical noise related to dry shaft bushings, a careful disassembly and relube with a good grade of lubricant should fix it up just fine - but do it before burnout or other damage occurs. Shucks, ya hafta remove the dern motor ANYWAY, why not at least TRY to fix it - the WORSE that can happen is that you'll end up replacing it, and that's the other option anyway, right?

 

[illflem]

If you remove it to lube blow the dust out of it before lubing with compressed air. The motors tend to get full of dust and with the jostling around installing it the lube can get full of dust and end up in bad shape, I found out the hard way, motor locked up. If the motor needs to be replaced take to a shop that specializes in electric motors they can get you a replacement for a quarter of the dealer price. Part two of a hard lesion.

 

[Steve Campbell]

Thanks Gary and Bill. While I was at the shop today, I took a few minutes and removed the fan. What I found was one (1) pine needle and a small wood chip in the mechanism. I did think to blow the assembly out before reinstall. Lubrication looked like a bigger chore than I had time for today. After reinstall, no noise.