Thermal Fuse S97011810 Replacement on a Broan Bath Fan

If your Broan bath fan has suddenly stopped working with no signs of life, there’s a good chance the thermal fuse (part S97011810) has blown. The good news? Replacing it is quick, inexpensive, and can save you from buying a whole new fan.

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

What you need

• Screwdrivers (Phillips and/or flathead)
• Wire cutters/strippers
• Multimeter (for testing)
• High-temp wire connectors or soldering kit
• Heat shrink tubing or electrical tape
• Replacement thermal fuse part S97011810. (Take your model number to AppliancePartsPros.com to locate the correct part)
• Safety glasses

Safety First

Safety comes first when working on any appliance. Here are some practical tips to help keep you safe:

• Always turn off the power by unplugging the appliance or switching off the circuit breaker before starting. This protects you from the risk of electric shock.
• Wear insulated gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges, pinching hazards, or debris.
• Take your time and work at a steady pace to avoid accidents or injuries.
• Make sure your workspace is well-lit so you can clearly see and access the parts you’re working on.
• Keep your area organized and free of clutter, and ensure children and pets are kept away from the workspace.
• Never handle internal parts with wet hands. Make sure both your hands and the work area are completely dry.
• Check your appliance’s user manual for specific instructions or safety guidelines related to your repair.
• Handle parts gently to prevent damaging the appliance or injuring yourself by using too much force.
• Wear safety glasses if you’re dealing with chemicals, dust, or large debris to protect your eyes.
• If the appliance was recently used, give it time to cool down before working on any heated components.
• Take photos or notes of wiring connections before disconnecting anything. This makes reassembly much easier.
• Avoid touching exposed wires or terminals. If you need to handle wires, use non-conductive tools or wear insulated gloves to reduce the risk of electrical shock.

Removal and Disassembly Steps

1. Shut off power to the bathroom fan from your home’s electrical panel to avoid any risk of electrical shock.
2. Gently pull down the fan grille cover.
3. Squeeze the mounting springs together and detach them from the housing slots to fully remove the grille.
4. Locate the motor mounting bracket inside the housing.
5. Depending on your model, remove screws or release tabs holding the motor in place.
6. Carefully unplug the motor from the power connector or unscrew the wire nuts to disconnect wiring.
7. Slide or pull the motor assembly out of the housing.
8. Place it on a clean workspace.
9. Identify the thermal fuse attached to the motor body or wiring harness—typically covered with heat shrink tubing or electrical tape.
10. Use a multimeter to confirm the fuse is open (blown). No continuity = blown fuse.
11. Use wire cutters to carefully cut the thermal fuse from the motor’s wiring, leaving enough wire length on each end to attach the new fuse.
12. Strip about 1/4″ of insulation from each wire end using a wire stripper.

Installation and Reassembly Steps

1. Position the new fuse in place and connect it inline with the motor wiring.
2. Use high-temperature rated wire crimp connectors or solder the connections securely.
3. Cover the fuse and connections with high-temperature heat shrink tubing or electrical tape to protect them.
4. Slide the motor back into the housing and align it properly with the mounting bracket.
5. Secure it with screws or snap the tabs into place as required.
6. Reattach the wiring by reconnecting the motor plug or twisting the wires together using wire nuts (black to black, white to white).
7. Ensure all connections are snug and secure.
8. Briefly turn power back on to test the fan.
9. Confirm the motor runs and shuts off normally.
10. Turn power back off before final assembly.
11. Insert the grille’s mounting springs into the housing slots.
12. Gently push the grille up to sit flush against the ceiling.
13. Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker.
14. Test the fan one more time.

More Information

Thanks for reading! We hope this article helped you replace the thermal fuse in your NuTone/Broan bath fan.

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We offer over two million parts and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

While you’re waiting for your new part to arrive, you can explore our DIY blog and watch thousands of video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

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