Late model VDO Auxiliary Fan into early TD6

[fraser130]

As some may know, I've had trouble with the Aux Fan (electric condenser fan in front of the radiator) The original one was shot, I bought an aftermarket one from The States, it lasted a week!
The original ones were a faulty design, never up to the job, and the same fans fitted to BMW's were subject to a recall (possible fire risk).
The problem with them is they have 9 speeds they can run on, and are controlled by an ECU in the car that sends a signal to the motor via a control signal cable dependant on several things, mainly the aircon refrigerant pressure, and the actual speed controller is built in to the motor. The other 2 thick wires are a permanent 12V supply, so not any fan/motor assy will work properly.
Anyway, to cut a really long story shorter, I saw a late model BMW (2007-2009 5-Series) made by VDO on e-bay, and got it for $80! These fans are fitted to the later Rangies too. They have 2 thick and one thin wire, so I thought "what the hell, I'll try it and see if it works.
It does!!!
The colour coding is different:
the old Blue wire connects to the new Red
the old Brown wire connects to the new Black
the old thin Black wire connects to the new thin White.
I just cut the old cable off near the motor, cut the new cable off near the plug and joined them together.

The motors are quite different in diameter, but the fan is spot-on the same size. All I had to do was jigsaw out a 10mm wide ring in the centre of the cowling, and add 3 strips of small bar as clamps to hold it all in place. I als put a little ring of silicone around the contact area of the motor to the plastic to stop any vibration moving anything.

Just thought I'd share!

Cheers all,

Fraser

[Declan]

Good to know Fraser ,just another little job to look forward to when it happens to my RR, also good to know you can get a different part to fit with a bit of modification.

Cheers Deco :twisted::twisted::twisted:

[fraser130]

Good to know Fraser ,just another little job to look forward to when it happens to my RR, also good to know you can get a different part to fit with a bit of modification.

Cheers Deco :twisted::twisted::twisted:

I'm glad I did it, I'm sure it's not good for it on those hot days when the aircon would blow hot air every time I stopped at traffic lights - the pressures must have been through the roof!
Never heard of the VDO motors failing, so hopefully that's it sorted for good.

[fraser130]

Here are some pictures to show what I've done:

Just cut out about 10mm all around the inside of the motor hole:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=66416&stc=1&d=1380522760

Closer:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=66418&stc=1&d=1380522852

All assembled with original guard (you can see where I spliced on the old cable too):

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=66419&stc=1&d=1380522933

Just put it back in the car, turned the heating on full 'till car was hot inside, then put aircon on full, then covered front grill with a towel, you could hear the motor start, then increase speed as the system pressure increased, then I removed the towel and a few secs later it began to slow (it is only 15 degrees outside)

Very happy chappy!

[harlie]

Hi Fraser,

as I now have this issue, what the chance you have a part number to search on?

thanks

[fraser130]

Hi Fraser,

as I now have this issue, what the chance you have a part number to search on?

thanks

Harlie, this is the information from the ebay ad, so I can't be sure it's correct:
BMW part no. 17-42-7540683-01

Motor is made by Siemens VDO with part number 07260101 02 and is made in Germany.

I bought it by sight, (I recognised the motor design, and it had 2 thick wires and one really thin wire)
It's still working a treat too!

I hope that helps.

Fraser

[fraser130]

Here's another with the same motor:

Here (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-X5-E70-DIESEL-RADIATOR-FAN-MOTOR-6732-7558428-/281171659252?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item41772309f4)

And here (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E90-E91-E92-3-SERIES-COMPLETE-ELECTRIC-RADIATOR-WITH-FAN-PN-772-06104-01-/271305962367?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f2b18737f)

and here too! (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bmw-e70-3-0-diesel-radiaitor-fan-from-2007-/321249104642?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4acbf05302)

Just check the fan blade diameter, as the one I got is exactly the same size, and I'm not sure how to remove the blades, and the blade attachment to the motor is different to the original.
The one I got the new blades/motor fit perfectly in the old RR cowling as in the pics.

Best of luck Harlie!

Fraser

[fraser130]

Harlie, how did you get on?
It's been a while now including one day of 40 degrees (and I spent most of that day driving with the cab at 22), I can confirm the new fan works a treat!

Fraser

[harlie]

Hello Mate, happy xmas to all...

I have not done a thing about it, been working stupid hours last two months up to last Friday. I wanted to do it during the break but have not been organised enough to get a part in - the Rangie really doesn't do much driving in heavy traffic, so to be honest we have't really noticed it's not working - apart from the point that the AC is not cold when the car is started before you move off, like at the beach yesterday sitting in the sun for 3 hrs, once it's moving the cold air flows - probably has the viscous fan running more often too.

So it's 1 job off the list. Got my trans filter & fluid to do 2 drops, compressor rebuild kit, coolant, PS fluid - just no fan, get 1 in for January.

[harlie]

Hi Fraser,

Any hints on removing the fan?

I assume the shroud needs to come out.

thanks

[fraser130]

Harlie, I'm afraid it's a case of "remove everything nowhere near the problem"!! :-)
Yes, the shroud has to come out, after removing most of the front of the car!
I just followed the procedure on the RAVE disc, once resigned to doing it, it's not too bad. I did mark the exact position of the steel bumper and the aluminium section above it with pencil to make sure it went back accurately.
The hardest part I think is getting the viscous coupling off (and back on again), but mine came off okay with a 36mm spanner and a small hammer.
I also found the plastic bumper was much easier to put back on with the fog lamps completely removed.

Have you got a replacement fan?

Fraser

[harlie]

Thanks Fraser, I have not got a fan yet.

I did have some spare time along with an obviously delusional thought of just whipping the old one out in 5 mins before the new one arrives. I soon figured it all has to come apart and lost interest.