Low fan, ballast resistor

[ultramens]

Hi, So my low speed fan does not work but high speed does on my drivers side. My passenger side works on both speeds. From the forums, I believe its the ballast resistor. I want to swap the ballast resistor to see if that is the problem. I know its in the wheel well , but how do you remove it? Also, what is the part number of the ballast resistor? I tried searching on Pelican and found nothing.

Thanks,

[RFM]

The resistor is a part of the fan, not available separately.

[Loren]

if you car is a narrow body - I think you want 996.616.101.00

[1999Porsche911]

I would first check your low speed relay in the footwell panel. Switch the left one with the right one.

[RFM]

Great, is the resistor still available in the US than?

[Loren]

According to February 2008 PET - yes.

[Richard Hamilton]

Still available in the UK too - I changed both of mine a couple of months ago.

Ultramens - I'm fairly sure you will find it is the resistor that's the problem. It comes with a plug, but the workshop manual says to cut it off, and splice & insulate the wires. Believe me, that is definitely the best way to do it, as you can do the job without removing the front PU.

[RFM]

Thanks for the info there was an electromotor attached at the other end of the resistor last week, the parts number was correct, probably an error in the parts dept. I take a look tomorrow, thanks again.

[ultramens]

Thank you all!!! i am going to try and do this one myself. Richard, what do you mean by removing the front PU? Where is this resistor located?

[ultramens]

wow, the part is 90 dollars from Pelican.... I was thinking it would be cheaper.... Another question, is it ok to drive the car without the low speed fan? will it hurt the car? The high speed fans work so do i have to fix this?

[1999Porsche911]

wow, the part is 90 dollars from Pelican.... I was thinking it would be cheaper.... Another question, is it ok to drive the car without the low speed fan? will it hurt the car? The high speed fans work so do i have to fix this?

If you haven't eliminated the low speed relay as the problem, you may be wasting your time and money. Just switch relay 19 with relay 21 and if the problem moves from the right fan to the left fan, just buy a new relay.

4th row, position 3 and 5 on relay carrier in footwell.

Edited February 25, 2008 by 1999Porsche911

[ultramens]

Thanks 1999porsche911, I did your fan mod this weekend and I know where the relays are. I will switch them to see if that is the problem first. If its not, i am going to switch the resistors to see if they are the cause.

do you know if the car really needs the low fans?

[Richard Hamilton]

By front PU, I mean the front bumper. The resistors are clipped to the frame at the bottom of the bumper at each side - if you get underneath they are easy to see - about 5" long and 5/8" diameter, with 3 wires coming from one end.

Switching the resistors will be a challenge. The plugs for them are close to the fans. To get to the plugs you will need to remove the front bumper and several other bits and pieces.

See what happens when you switch the relays........................

Edited February 25, 2008 by Richard Hamilton

[Loren]

[Richard Hamilton]

I'm just toooooo slow. Thanks Loren.

[1999Porsche911]

Thanks 1999porsche911, I did your fan mod this weekend and I know where the relays are. I will switch them to see if that is the problem first. If its not, i am going to switch the resistors to see if they are the cause.

do you know if the car really needs the low fans?

Yes, the low speed should work on both fans, so you should eventually fix the problem. However, driving the car in the meantime will do no harm as you can switch the fans on manually now that you have done the mod.

[ultramens]

i just switched the relays... and its the resistors that needs changing.... I am off to find a replacement. Thanks for everyone for your help.

[Loren]

Try Sunset Imports (Porsche Parts at Dealer Cost) or try a salvage yard.