HVAC fan is blowing fuses - need advice

[clydesdale]

The fan had been making some intermittent squeeling on speed 1 and 2. That has been going on a while. I then let the car sit for a few days over Christmas and then today the fan was not working at all. I noticed that the 30 amp fuse was fried. I swapped in a different fuse and the fan immediately worked on all 4 speeds. But, it sounded strained and on setting four it did not maintain the proper fan speed and would slow and then speed back up. It ran for about 15 seconds and then popped the fuse again.
So, what is the deal? Do I need to replace the fan? Just bearings? Do they come as complete units? Do I buy one on ebay? I think a new one is north of $300, correct?

Please advise. This is a daily driver in NY and I NEED a defroster for the windshield, so this needs to be taken care of. Thanks.

[rcsoundn1]

I'd say buy a well know used unit to get you through. That way you can disc yours and see if it is repairable.

[uturn]

Just buy a new fan and be done with it. The bearings are bad and you can't pull the plastic fan blade to replace them without breaking it and throwing it off balance.

[clydesdale]

Do I need to buy genuine BMW? As I recall, these things are VERY pricey.

[cabriodster87]

I got a nice one from my local pick-n-pull, cheap!

[clydesdale]

That is what I am hoping for. If not, it looks like I will go with a Behr one for $167 on rockauto.com. Any other suggestions?

[DaveSmed]

Side note: tempting as it may be, do not keep chucking fuses at it until you get it swapped out. Motor loads are kind of strange, and they can do a lot of damage despite the fuse. Swapping fuseboxes is not fun.