VW Virtus Blower Motor Failure Disrupts Climate Control

Had the exact same issue with my 2020 VW Polo last winter. As someone with moderate experience working on cars, I first checked the electrical wiring and fuses, but the heater fan remained completely dead. The climate control panel seemed fine, but there was zero air flow regardless of settings. Took it to my regular workshop where they diagnosed a failed blower motor, apparently a common issue in this model series. The repair process was straightforward but required removing parts of the dashboard to access the heater unit. Total cost was 365€ including parts and labor. The blower motor replacement fixed all issues and the electrical system showed no more error codes afterward. Before suggesting specific solutions, could you share: Have you checked if the fuses are intact? Does the system make any noise when you switch it on? When did the problem first start, suddenly or gradually? Are there any unusual sounds from the air vents? This would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced with the blower motor failure or if other components of the climate control system might be involved.

Last service was completed at 35000km and everything was working fine until last week. Yes, I checked all the fuses, they are intact. The system is completely silent, no sounds at all from the HVAC system regardless of settings. The issue started quite suddenly during normal driving. No unusual noises preceded the failure. The air conditioning display still lights up normally and all controls appear responsive, but there is zero air circulation through any vents. Getting concerned about potential dashboard condensation without proper air flow, especially since temperatures are dropping. Will likely need to schedule a repair soon to fix the blower motor, just wanted to understand typical repair costs and complexity based on others experiences with similar symptoms in the Virtus.

Thanks for the additional details, those symptoms match exactly what I experienced with my Polo. The complete silence from the system despite working controls is a classic sign of a failed blower motor. In my case, the repair shop confirmed the blower motor had burned out after finding metal debris in the housing. The fan speed controller and other climate control components were unaffected, so only the motor needed replacement. Given your car is relatively new, this should be covered under warranty if you go through an authorized dealer. My repair was out of warranty which is why I paid the 365€. The job took about 3 hours since they had to partially dismantle the dashboard to access the heater unit. Your concern about condensation is valid. Without proper air circulation, moisture can build up inside the cabin. I noticed my windows starting to fog up more frequently before getting the repair done. Based on the matching symptoms and the sudden failure pattern, I am quite confident you are dealing with the same blower motor issue I had. The good news is that once replaced, the heating and air conditioning system should work perfectly again. If you want to confirm before taking it in, you could try listening near the center console while someone else operates the climate controls, a completely dead blower motor will make no sound at all when power is applied.

Thanks for the detailed responses. Really helpful to hear about the similar experiences, especially with the matching symptoms and repair process. Going to schedule an appointment with the dealer next week since my car should still be under warranty. The complete silence from the HVAC system and lack of air flow definitely points to the blower motor, just like the other cases described. Good to know the repair involves dashboard removal but is otherwise straightforward. Will make sure to mention the sudden failure pattern and fuse check when I bring it in. Hoping to get this resolved quickly before the condensation becomes a bigger issue. Thanks again for helping confirm the likely cause and sharing the typical repair process. Having this information makes me feel more confident about what to expect when I take it to the shop.