Question for the FD brain trust - Is it possible to remove the HVAC Blower motor unit WITHOUT removing: (1) the Dash, and (2) the A/C Evaporator core unit as the FSM states? FSM screenshot below for reference; I can only see one of the 3x fasteners (nut on a stud) that secure the damned thing. If it can be done after removing just the A/C evaporator core, I can live with that, but there's no way I'm going to remove the freaking dash!

Long story short, I'm upgrading my ECU from an older Link G4+ to a G5 Neo and attempting to install in the same space where the OEM ECU was. While the wiring revisions to upgrade were minimal, the slightly larger physical footprint of the G5 requires it to be installed with the header connectors oriented differently - facing upward instead of facing the firewall. If it's easier to remove the blower unit, I'll be able to snake my existing harness behind it, reinstall the blower & I'm good to go. Otherwise plan B is to re-do the interior side of my ECU harness to route around the blower obstruction. Not the preferred option, but easier than removing the damned dash. If AMP makes a 90 degree version of the 2x 34 pin Super Seal connectors that are used by the G5, that would solve the blower fitment issue.

 

The only thing you can do without removing anything, is dropping the fan out of the bottom of the housing. Because of how the housings overlap, the evap core has to come out, though you may be able to leave all the line connected. You might be able to get the top stud with some creative wrench work and a lot of contorting. The other PIA will be trying to disconnect all of the wiring.


It's not the clearest, but took this when my dash was out and I was replacing all of the foam in the the HVAC system (highly recommend the BubbleTech kit). The top stud is in line with the grey nut for the fire wall insulation, and almost directly behind the dash bar mount.

The pictures from THIS listing are also a good reference for what a whole unit looks like.

 

Thanks for the advice & photos! Wasn't aware you can just drop the blower motor section without pulling the whole unit, that in itself might solve my routing & installation problem! Looking at this annotated photo of the blower motor, it appears I just need to disconnect the electrical connector on the motor, remove the 3 yellow circled bolts/screws, and remove the hose in the red rectangle to drop the motor straight down, correct?





If that's the case, I think I should be able to follow this sequence to get this done:

1. Route the cabin side harness milspec connector thru the hole in firewall, and temporarily secure it to something in the engine bay (use stiff wire) so it doesn't fall back into the cabin.
2. Remove the blower motor to make clearance for the harness routing.
3. Route harness in cabin, secure it where needed via zip-ties or Velcro ties to keep the installation clean and make all connections to all mating connectors in the cabin EXCEPT the 2x 34 pin Super Seal connectors that go on the G5 Neo - If routed well, those two should be positioned & hanging just below where the blower motor would be.
4. With the G5 ECU already on its mounting plate, position it to connect to the 2x dangling Super Seal connectors & connect them up to the ECU.
5. Reinstall the blower motor - might be a PITA with the ECU & its mounting plate in the way, but hopefully do-able. Curse profusely if it isn't do-able.
6. Maneuver the connected G5 ECU on its mounting plate up & on to its M6 mounting stud, secure with M6 nut. (I'm using 1 of the 2x OEM M6 threaded holes in the side sill to secure it) Curse even more profusely if I get this far but fail at this step.
7. Connect the ECU's ground lugs, have a beer to celebrate victory.

 

Yeah thats all you need to do to take the motor and fan out. Just be ready for everything else that'll fall out with it lol.