VW Fox Blower Motor Failure: HVAC Sensor Troubleshooting

I had a similar issue with my 2004 VW Polo diesel last year. I have some experience working on basic car repairs but HVAC systems can be tricky. First, while the air quality sensor and AUC sensor systems can cause HVAC issues, a completely non-functioning blower typically points to either the blower motor itself, the resistor pack, or wiring issues. In my case, it turned out to be a loose connection in the wiring harness going to the blower motor. The workshop found that the cable connector had partially melted, causing an intermittent connection. They replaced the damaged section of the harness and reseated all connections. Total cost was 95€ for parts and labor. Before going to the shop, you can check a few things: Fuses related to the blower system, Listen for any noise when changing fan speeds, Check if you smell any burning around the blower area, Test if the air conditioning control panel lights work To provide more specific guidance, could you share: Any unusual sounds before the fan stopped working? Does the AC control panel still light up? Have you noticed any other electrical issues? Have you checked the fuses already? The HVAC and air quality sensor systems differ between VW models, so knowing these details would help narrow down the potential causes.

Thanks for the detailed input about the auto recirculation issues. Just had my service done at 62119km. After checking the fuses as suggested, I found they were all intact. The AC control panel lights do work normally, and I have not noticed any electrical issues elsewhere. However, there was a faint burning smell from the ventilation about a week before the fan stopped. No unusual sounds preceded the failure. The climate control system is completely unresponsive to fan speed adjustments now. Since the air quality sensor and HVAC sensor seem to be functioning (based on the working control panel), I suspect your suggestion about the blower motor or resistor pack might be the culprit. Would replacing the blower motor require removing the entire dashboard? Considering taking it to a workshop but wanted to understand the scope of work first.

Thanks for those additional details about your VW Fox. The burning smell you mentioned is a classic sign of a failing blower motor or resistor pack, exactly what happened in my Polo before the repair. The good news is that the blower motor replacement in these VW models usually doesnt require full dashboard removal. The motor is typically accessible from under the passenger side dashboard, though some trim pieces need to be removed. Since your fuses are good and the cabin air sensor system appears functional based on the working control panel, Im almost certain you are dealing with the same issue I had. The burning smell often indicates the motor or resistor pack is shorting out, which can damage the wiring harness like in my case. A quick test: with the ignition on, set the fan to maximum and tap gently on the blower motor housing (passenger side footwell area). If you get any response, even momentary, it confirms the motor issue rather than an air quality sensor fault. For reference, my repair costs: Blower motor: 180€, Resistor pack: 45€, Labor: 120€ I strongly recommend replacing both components together since they often fail as a pair. The job took about 2 hours at the workshop. If you decide to attempt it yourself, ensure you disconnect the battery first as the auto recirculation system can complicate the electrical testing.

Thank you for the guidance on the blower motor issue. After doing the tap test you suggested, I got a brief whirring sound which really helps confirm the diagnosis. The burning smell combined with the complete fan failure does point to a blower motor and resistor pack problem rather than an HVAC sensor fault. Those repair costs seem reasonable compared to what I was quoted, 395€ for parts and labor at my local shop. At least the auto recirculation and air conditioning sensor systems are working properly, so I can focus just on the blower components. Since accessing the parts only requires removing some trim rather than the full dashboard, I might attempt the repair myself. Will definitely replace both the motor and resistor pack together as suggested. Just need to source the parts and make sure to disconnect the battery before starting. Do you think its worth getting OEM parts or would quality aftermarket components work just as well for the blower motor replacement? Want to avoid having this issue again in another few years.