Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Drewomega on 24 January 2018, 10:56:18

Title: Hedgehog!
Post by: Drewomega on 24 January 2018, 10:56:18
Hi guys! After a week with the Omega stuck in the snow, I managed to get it out yesterday. I drove it to the village with everything working ok, parked up for a couple of hours and jumped in to drive back home. No heater fan! Everything else works ok, panel lights etc. Now we have floods here but I did a reset, and checked fuse 33, all ok. Scuttle is clear. I am thinking it is the hedgehog! now where is the damn thing? and how to get to it? Cheers...TIA.  :y
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: JDX on 24 January 2018, 11:34:34
Sorry, I've missed something here! Hedgehog? What / where is there a hedgehog  ???
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: Bigron on 24 January 2018, 11:41:22
I've not seen mine, but apparently it's the resistor unit that helps to vary the speed of the heater fan and it can get intercoursed if and when you annoint it with rainwater due to a blocked skuttle drain.
Someone wiser will be along soon to give more details, I'm sure......

Ron.
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: JDX on 24 January 2018, 11:44:11
So it's a resistor unit that looks like a hedgehog? Can't wait for the picky's of one... :D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: Bigron on 24 January 2018, 11:47:30
I did look for youi, but I can never find these things - i am sure there's a Guide showing where it is and how to remove it.....

Ron.
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: aaronjb on 24 January 2018, 11:49:25
So it's a resistor unit that looks like a hedgehog? Can't wait for the picky's of one... :D ;D ;D

http://www.channypicture.com/pic/Uploadfile/6/SKU095360/C02303CECCCFC6CDC6F81313037333CFC6C971C8F513.JPG

Looks more like a model of the alien reactor in Total Recall (the original), to me, really ;D
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: Bigron on 24 January 2018, 11:56:57
So that's what it looks like! I was lucky; a couple of years ago I suffered from blocked skuttle-itis, but no harm done to the hedgehog.
I bet Vx no longer stock them?  :(

Ron.
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: JDX on 24 January 2018, 12:19:12
So it's a resistor unit that looks like a hedgehog? Can't wait for the picky's of one... :D ;D ;D

http://www.channypicture.com/pic/Uploadfile/6/SKU095360/C02303CECCCFC6CDC6F81313037333CFC6C971C8F513.JPG

Looks more like a model of the alien reactor in Total Recall (the original), to me, really ;D
He he he he! Now I get it - thanks.  :) :) :y
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: JDX on 24 January 2018, 12:21:42
So that's what it looks like! I was lucky; a couple of years ago I suffered from blocked skuttle-itis, but no harm done to the hedgehog.
I bet Vx no longer stock them?  :(

Ron.
I had that not long ago - very painful & I think age related?!  :D
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: JDX on 24 January 2018, 12:22:57
Ooops..I'm rubbish with text - that was supposed to be highlighted, not struckthrough... :-[ :D
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: robson on 24 January 2018, 13:33:56
Its in the heater trunking passenger side lay on back and look up to the trunking.It clips into the trunking. When I tried to get one out the clips broke off and then you have no way of holding the new hedgehog in.It was very cold when I did this and maybe the clips very brittle ,take great care in getting the hedgehog out.
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: ronnyd on 24 January 2018, 14:50:42
So that's what it looks like! I was lucky; a couple of years ago I suffered from blocked skuttle-itis, but no harm done to the hedgehog.
I bet Vx no longer stock them?  :(

Ron.
I had that not long ago - very painful & I think age related?!  :D
I,ve got one hibernating in my garden. :D
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: Bigron on 24 January 2018, 15:01:31
DON'T try shoving it up your trunking: not nice for either of you!  :o :o :o

Ron.
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: ronnyd on 24 January 2018, 16:26:45
DON'T try shoving it up your trunking: not nice for either of you!  :o :o :o

Ron.
Oooerr.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 24 January 2018, 16:57:04
It can help clear out the Farmer Giles though
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: STEMO on 24 January 2018, 17:42:46
It can help clear out the Farmer Giles though
Tell me how you know that.
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 24 January 2018, 18:10:53
If you lie in the passenger footwell, with your head where the passengers feet should be, then look up and left, with a torch between your teeth, you should see the bottom of it, and the aforementioned clips which are prone to snapping.
Last time I enquired (about 5 years ago) VX wanted just over £200 for one, which is why I keep a spare.
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: amba on 24 January 2018, 18:25:54
Replaced mine a year or so ago as same symptons ...fan running sometimes then intermittent,

Not too bad a job if you are double jointed and like laying on your back with your legs in the air with your head stuffed in the glove box recess.

Got mine of the bay about £35...go carefull with the clips as advised
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: STEMO on 24 January 2018, 18:56:52
Replaced mine a year or so ago as same symptons ...fan running sometimes then intermittent,

Not too bad a job if you are double jointed and like laying on your back with your legs in the air with your head stuffed in the glove box recess.

Got mine of the bay about £35...go carefull with the clips as advised
Don’t let me catch you like that.  ;D
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: cam.in.head on 24 January 2018, 19:08:33
Loads on at the mo .around £19.
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: ronnyd on 24 January 2018, 19:17:13
If you lie in the passenger footwell, with your head where the passengers feet should be, then look up and left, with a torch between your teeth, you should see the bottom of it, and the aforementioned clips which are prone to snapping.
Last time I enquired (about 5 years ago) VX wanted just over £200 for one, which is why I keep a spare.
Why would you want to lay on your back in a car and lie through ya teeth?  :D
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: amba on 24 January 2018, 21:05:23
Number 869 of the Kamasutra according to the Manual  ;D
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: Enceladus on 25 January 2018, 04:24:43
On a more serious note, buy yourself a good pair of safety specs. With this job it's too easy to have something drop in your eyes.
I found the hedgehog fitted to a 2003 a bit easier to reach than in a 1996. The revised air duct and cable tray allow better access.
You need to remove the lower securing screws for the airbag and pull the bottom edge forward a bit. That will allow access to the, otherwise hidden, top mounting screws of the glovebox. Since you're disturbing the airbag you're well advised to have left the battery disconnected for a while before you start.
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 25 January 2018, 07:34:38
On a more serious note, buy yourself a good pair of safety specs. With this job it's too easy to have something drop in your eyes.
I found the hedgehog fitted to a 2003 a bit easier to reach than in a 1996. The revised air duct and cable tray allow better access.
You need to remove the lower securing screws for the airbag and pull the bottom edge forward a bit. That will allow access to the, otherwise hidden, top mounting screws of the glovebox. Since you're disturbing the airbag you're well advised to have left the battery disconnected for a while before you start.
Scaremongering 'dangle berries'...

The three allen bolts merely hold the bottom of the airbag cover in place ::) The airbag itself has at least four independent bolts holding it to the dash frame/bulkhead. Just be sure to fully tighten them on refitting, otherwise the airbag may not deploy correctly ;)
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: STEMO on 25 January 2018, 19:53:38
On a more serious note, buy yourself a good pair of safety specs. With this job it's too easy to have something drop in your eyes.
I found the hedgehog fitted to a 2003 a bit easier to reach than in a 1996. The revised air duct and cable tray allow better access.
You need to remove the lower securing screws for the airbag and pull the bottom edge forward a bit. That will allow access to the, otherwise hidden, top mounting screws of the glovebox. Since you're disturbing the airbag you're well advised to have left the battery disconnected for a while before you start.
Scaremongering 'dangle berries'...

The three allen bolts merely hold the bottom of the airbag cover in place ::) The airbag itself has at least four independent bolts holding it to the dash frame/bulkhead. Just be sure to fully tighten them on refitting, otherwise the airbag may not deploy correctly ;)
I wonder how many airbags actually would deploy in cars older than 10 years. No reason why they shouldn’t, of course, just wondering, that’s all.
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: Enceladus on 26 January 2018, 03:05:39
On a more serious note, buy yourself a good pair of safety specs. With this job it's too easy to have something drop in your eyes.
I found the hedgehog fitted to a 2003 a bit easier to reach than in a 1996. The revised air duct and cable tray allow better access.
You need to remove the lower securing screws for the airbag and pull the bottom edge forward a bit. That will allow access to the, otherwise hidden, top mounting screws of the glovebox. Since you're disturbing the airbag you're well advised to have left the battery disconnected for a while before you start.
Scaremongering 'dangle berries'...

The three allen bolts merely hold the bottom of the airbag cover in place ::) The airbag itself has at least four independent bolts holding it to the dash frame/bulkhead. Just be sure to fully tighten them on refitting, otherwise the airbag may not deploy correctly ;)
OK. I could have been a bit clearer. I meant the screws securing the bottom of the airbag cover. And yes, strictly speaking the airbag itself does not need to be disturbed unless maybe you want to get the blower out.
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: Drewomega on 26 January 2018, 09:46:39
Hi guys! I started the car this morning and the heater fan is working again. So it looks like the hedgehog is the problem rather than the fan motor. Cheers guys.  :y :y
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: Enceladus on 26 January 2018, 09:56:01
Is/was there any water in the passenger footwell? That would indicate a blocked scuttle drain which apparently wrecks the hedgehog. Maybe yours has now dried out.
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: gstylebaby on 27 January 2018, 08:48:19
I have one in the saloon elite I'm breaking if your interested. :y
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: Enceladus on 27 January 2018, 13:06:39
Is there an off the vehicle method to test if a hedgehog is working?
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 27 January 2018, 15:00:44
Is there an off the vehicle method to test if a hedgehog is working?
Measure the resistance across each pin of the plug. Compare with known good :y
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: Bigron on 27 January 2018, 17:12:15
If anyone has a known good hedgehog, for the benefit of OOFers, could he perhaps make those measurements and post them on here and/or in the Guides?

Ron.
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: cam.in.head on 27 January 2018, 17:45:54
The hedgehog can survive sometimes. My brother said his heater blower had stopped working on all speeds. So we started to look at it by measuring the voltage going into the motor.nothing but noticed there was water evidence around it. That was when we discovered the dreaded scuttle drain problem. We cleared the scuttle drain.removed carpets,insulation etc and dried car out.a week later i started to investigate the blower motor and found it was all working fine and has continued to do so for the last 8 years.no issues since and scuttle drain regularly checked.
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: TheBoy on 27 January 2018, 18:19:56
Is there an off the vehicle method to test if a hedgehog is working?
Measure the resistance across each pin of the plug. Compare with known good :y
Its an electronic controller, you will get inconsistent results.
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 28 January 2018, 01:47:04
Is there an off the vehicle method to test if a hedgehog is working?
Measure the resistance across each pin of the plug. Compare with known good :y
Its an electronic controller, you will get inconsistent results.
Hodiddlyhum ::) plan b then...
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: robson on 28 January 2018, 09:32:01
When mine packed up the fan motor kept running even with the ignition off. I had to pull the fuse to shut it down.
Title: Re: Hedgehog!
Post by: Drewomega on 29 January 2018, 10:38:44
Thanks guys! The fan is running as it should do at the moment! The weather is ok but snow is forecast soon, so hopefully it will keep going for now.  :y :y