On a closer inspection the motor was very dusty, but as discussed on the Altea section this is probably becasue it spins in dirty air, before the dust/pollen filter. The motor is a very sealed unit (especially at the brush end) and I didn't want to risk destroying it. It's housing is also the 'screw in' fixture that holds it under the dash.
I've gently blown the motor out, applied a small amount of dielectric grease to the contacts and put it back in. Looking at the 'resistors' was a waste of time, there's computer chips, transistors, resistors, capacitors and a bloody great copper coil in there - roughly 50-60 components on a small PCB. Lovely as the Maplins idea was, it's not going to happen.
I've also removed a load of rotten leaves from under the n/s wiper motor where the air is drown into the cabin. The airflow does seem improved to what it was previously, but time will tell.
I was thinking of going down the breakers route but I personally have the fan going whenever I'm in the car, unless I can find a nice young write-off I'd question how long a life these things have...
