I did the same thing (removed and successfully operated with direct
connection) and then reinstalled the blower assembly only to find it
stopped working again....nothing worse than trying to diagnose
intermittent problems. My blower motor went at 265k so if you're at
281k on the original blower motor my guess is that it's running on
borrowed time. When I took apart my blower motor there was
considerable debris inside it that I'm sure contributed to it's
demise. Debris is sucked into the motor through a rubber vent tube.

Because of the way they have the motor taped up; it is difficult to
take apart and reassemble again so if you take it apart you're almost
committed to buying a new one. Note I was advised you can't purchase
replacement brushes.

I doubt whether the problem is the switch or relay. The only other
thing I would suggest is to check the ground wire...a bad ground can
cause the same problems.

On Mon, 03 Nov 2003 21:26:28 GMT, dyerr@sympatico.ca (Richard) wrote:

>ok I removed the blower assembly (with some difficulty) but when I connect the
>blower directly to 12v (the car battery) it spins like a banshee! Should I
>bother checking the brushes/armature or assume all is fine and move on to
>checking the fan switch and or relay....any thoughts?
>
>bruce.ross@shaw.ca wrote:
>
>>Almost certainly your heater fan motor is gone. On my '90 Accord the
>>fan was working intermittently...if I banged on the dashboard on
>>passenger side it would start up. When I removed the motor and looked
>>inside the brushes were completly gone and the armature was damaged.
>>I replaced with a replacement motor from NAPA (approx $100). Note
>>that you have to remove the entire blower assembly to replace the
>>motor...if you have air conditioning it is a very tight fit to remove
>>and replace the blower...requires pulling back carpet on passenger
>>side and disconnecting some sockets on the ECU to move it out of the
>>way.
>>
>>
>>On Sun, 02 Nov 2003 03:55:02 GMT, dyerr@sympatico.ca (Richard) wrote:
>>
>>>First I would like to say that I love the 90-93 model; up until very recently,
>>>my next car was definitely going to be a 93 Accord. But...I'm finding them
>hard
>>>to come (in northern Ontario that is). The other discouraging thing is the
>rust
>>>problem...I think the engine will go forever but the body won't!. But
>recently
>>>I've been experiencing a number of problems peripheral to the drivetrain,
>>>namely,
>>>
>>> 1. the two rear brakelights, and center high brakelight don't work. The
>dealer
>>>fix for this only lasted about 2 months. It seems to me it was a grounding
>>>problem..I wish I had gotten them to show me how they fixed it. I think this
>>>problem relates to poor rubber seals on the trunk lid which allowed a lot of
>>>moisture to collect on the underside of the trunk lid...noticed this for quite
>>>some time but never did anything about it. Another Accord owner told me there
>>>is a relay within the brake light housing/lens unit which could be the
>culprit.
>>>Is this possible?
>>>
>>>2. Heater fan doesn't work on any speed setting. Initially, the problem was
>>>intermittent, but now it has quit for good. Before I tear the dash apart to
>>>test the fan switch, I'm wondering if there is a most likely culprit
>here...for
>>>instance the blower motor itself?
>>>
>>>3. Power steering leak..checked it out...looks like the line from the pump..a
>>>$330 part from the dealer <ouch>
>>>
>>>With winter approaching my main concern is the heater fan. If anybody has
>some
>>>advice it would be greatly appreciated! I'm hoping to make it to 300K...am at
>>>281K now (on original clutch, third timing belt and burns no oil, well
>virtually
>>>no oil!)
>>>
>>>TIA
>>>Rich
>>>
>>