100% Free

No Scanner Needed

Carly logo

marthabaumann7

VW Amarok HVAC Blower Motor Failure, Quick Fix Guide

Looking for advice with my 2013 VW Amarok diesel (127877km). The HVAC system stopped working completely, no air flow from any vents when using the cabin fan. Got an error code stored but my last mechanic experience was terrible. Has anyone dealt with a failed blower motor on these trucks? Need recommendations on common issues and reasonable repair costs before taking it to another shop.

4 comment(s)

jasminzimmermann18

The symptoms match exactly what happened with my 2016 VW Transporter TDI. The air circulation system failed completely, no airflow from any vents regardless of fan speed settings. The issue was indeed a failed blower motor. In my case, the motor had seized due to debris and moisture accumulation in the blower housing. When they removed the old unit, the bearing was completely shot and there was notable corrosion on the electrical connections. This is actually a serious repair since the blower motor is essential for proper cabin ventilation and defrosting. Without it, you have no control over the HVAC system and interior air quality suffers. The repair requires removing the lower dash panels and possibly the glove box to access the heater fan assembly. Common related issues to check: Blown fuse or relay, Corroded wiring connectors, Blocked cabin air filter causing motor strain, Failed blower motor resistor Having a non-functioning blower motor is not just an inconvenience, it can be a safety issue due to inability to defrost windows properly. Best to have it diagnosed and repaired by a qualified shop with VW experience.

marthabaumann7 (Author)

Thanks for that detailed response. Mine turned out to be exactly the same issue with the blower motor in my Amarok. The heater fan had completely failed and needed full replacement along with the motor resistor since there was some electrical damage too. The climate control system works perfectly now, with proper air flow at all speeds. Just wondering, how much did your repair end up costing? And have you had any other air circulation problems since getting it fixed? Always good to know what to watch out for with these repairs.

jasminzimmermann18

Good to hear you got it sorted. My repair cost came to 365€ total for the blower motor replacement at the shop. The cabin fan system has worked flawlessly since the fix, strong air flow and consistent operation at all speeds. The mechanic showed me the old unit and it was in rough shape, with seized bearings and corroded connections just like yours. Getting both the motor and resistor replaced was definitely the right call to prevent future air circulation issues. After 18 months of trouble-free operation, I can say these heater fan repairs tend to be a permanent fix when done properly. Just remember to regularly change the cabin air filter to protect the new blower motor from debris buildup.

marthabaumann7 (Author)

My experience turned out well in the end. Finally found a reputable VW specialist who diagnosed and fixed the electrical wiring issue with the fan speed controller in about 3 hours. Total cost was 420€ including parts and labor for the blower motor and resistor replacement. The air conditioning and overall HVAC system performance is actually better than before. Having proper airflow again makes such a difference, especially during weather changes when you need the defroster. The mechanic was thorough in explaining the repair and showed me the damaged components. The old blower motor was completely seized and had some serious corrosion around the electrical connections. Apparently this is a known weak point in these models. No issues with the climate control since the repair 6 months ago. All fan speeds work perfectly and the air circulation is strong and consistent. Regular cabin filter changes from now on should help prevent any repeat failures.

Join the discussion now: