I'll never complain about Lancias again...

[DJ]

This weekend I'm doing the dreaded AC stepper motor replacement on my Alfa 164. Currently on step 21 of 84.

I'll never again complain about the difficulties of doing tasks on my Lancia...

[davidb]

#1 You don't need A/C in Colorado & #2 bet my bottom dollar
you will have complaints about Lucia. Eventually . . .

[DJ]

#1 You don't need A/C in Colorado . . .

Apparently, you've never actually been here. It was 96 yesterday and 94 today. And it's cooling off...

Besides, the stepper motors control ALL of the ventilation, including the heat so, yeah, I DO need to fix it.

[davidb]

Been to Colorado 4 times, always in August to escape St. Louis
heat & humidity. Admittedly I headed straight to the mountains.
Good luck w/your fix. I'm fighting my LBZs vent system this week.
Misery luvs company?

[Timo04]

Hi DJ,

Some Mercedes Benz models, made in the earlier part of this decade are MUCH worse than the Alfa Romeo 164 with regards to the stepper motor issue. Just think of the 164 stepper motor times about 10!!! Yes, I kid you not, these Mercedes have one of these BOSCH steppers (and yes they have the plastic gear that strips) buried in multiple locations behind the dash and any where else the designers could think to put one. For example behind ALL the A/C heater vent flaps there is an individual motor!!! It can cost in the thousands to replace them all and when one goes out the others are not far behind.

I blame Alfa more for the use of this cheaply made part than I do for anything else. BOSCH is supposed to be a company that produces quality parts. Sometimes they do, but not in the case of the stepper motor gear.

BTW: There is a fellow in Australia, I believe, that makes a metallic gear replacement for BOSCH's plastic gear.

All the best,

Tim