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Help replacing blower motor assembly?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by chuck kaplan, Dec 7, 2013.

  1. chuck kaplan

    chuck kaplan New Member

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    Hi all!
    Newbie here with my first post. Have an 07 Prius with 225K. I've been having problems recently with my heater turning off and on randomly, and through priuschat discovered it's likely the blower motor going bad. Toyota wanted $350 in parts/labor, so I bought a new one online and am trying to do it myself. Following posts here, I've gotten to the point of disconnecting the old motor but I'm unable to release the wiring harness/connector (picture below of the connector). I believe there is some kind of release tab or something, because it feels like I'm going to pull the wires out of the harness if not. Anyone have any experience with this or advice? photo-40.JPG
     
    #1 chuck kaplan, Dec 7, 2013
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Hi Chuck,

    There definitely will be some sort of lock release for the wiring harness connector. Maybe if you look at the replacement blower's motor wiring harness socket, you can figure out how the lock mechanism works.

    Looking at the photo you posted, note the tab below the rectangular wiring connector. Can that be pushed either upwards or downwards, to release the connector?
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Dec 7, 2013
  3. chuck kaplan

    chuck kaplan New Member

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    Thanks Patrick, but I haven't been able to move anything around (below, above, or next to) that rectangular wiring connector. I've spent a couple hours with various tools and techniques but still no dice.

    Here are some pics of the socket on the replacement blower motor. There looks to be a slim, rectangular hole/slit just to the left of the 2 electrical connectors. This is possibly where the wiring harness locks in?

    photo 1.JPG photo 2.JPG
     
    #3 chuck kaplan, Dec 7, 2013
  4. Zedhomme

    Zedhomme Member

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    #4 Zedhomme, Dec 7, 2013
  5. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    This is only a guess, but from the photos it definitely looks like it needs to be pushed as shown below.
     

    Attached Files:

    #5 uart, Dec 8, 2013
  6. northwichita

    northwichita .

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    Yes.

    On an old motor I was able to leverage out the connector with a screwdriver wedged in the side of the connector, to keep the plastic tang from breaking, suggest using another small screwdriver to push in the side, pushing the base toward the two wires while pulling up.

    DSCI0271.JPG
     
    #6 northwichita, Dec 8, 2013
  7. chuck kaplan

    chuck kaplan New Member

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    Thanks everyone. I was able to get the tab to release after giving up on all the different screwdrivers and tools I was trying to use and just slid a thin nail in the opening to the left of the harness to leverage against the connector and push the tab toward the connector (see last pic from northwichita) which released it. Reassembled and everything works perfectly.

    I really appreciate all the help!
     
    #7 chuck kaplan, Dec 9, 2013
  8. benji

    benji New Member

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    Is this a common problem with Gen II? Mine is dying as well.
     
    #8 benji, Dec 9, 2013
  9. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    Yes, it has to do with wear on the brushes, being a commutator type motor. If you are handy with such things, it would be possible to open the motor and check the brushes, and replace them. Possibly just cleaning the commutator could help.
     
    #9 nh7o, Dec 9, 2013
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