I have an '04 Vanden Plas with 48900 miles. Yesterday the A/C went out. It was working fine and all of a sudden the fan stopped working. I have checked the fuses and replaced the blower relay but it still won't work. I have been told it could be the blower motor or the control module but do not know how to check those components. I am trying to figure out if I can do more diagnostics myself or if I should bring it to dealer at this point. Any suggestions?

 

I will almost inevitably be the blower control module atop the blower. Early modules did not have sufficient cooling so eventually fail, as mine did last year. There is a post here somewhere showing the difference between the early and late modules. The later ones have much longer cooling fins.

The early ones last quite a long time but eventually fail. You can buy the later one which is about £150, I believe, or buy the early type for not much money on the internet, the choice is yours. The module is a bit fiddly to get at, (it's behind the glove box), but a reasonable DIY job. Make sure the damped lowering action of the glovebox lid is still there when you have finished reassembly, it is possible to disconnect the cable and not notice.

 

Thanks, Fraser. I decided to go for it and purchase the control module and change it out myself. Hope that does it. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

Just finished replacing the blower control module and sure enough that did the trick! A/C is blowing cold once again. I purchased the module from the local dealership and following the steps spelled out on Glendoramike's "blower quit" post on this forum on how to change the BCM, I was able to get it done. Thanks again, Fraser!

 

Well done ! Does the new module have the longer fins ?

 

The fins were longer on the new module. In fact, I briefly had some concern as to whether I was going to be able to fit the new module into position given the height of the new module compared to the old one. Thankfully it fit right in. By the way, I was able to complete the job without having to disconnect the electrical components of the glove compartment. I left them connected and dropped the glove box to the floor giving me enough room to get the job done.

 

Well done ! My local indie managed to forget to connect up the little cord that operates the damped opening action. They were very apologetic when I pointed this out and soon had it fixed.