Pete,
I think you're getting good advice to replace the switch and resistor. At least the resistor, although I thought they came as an assembly. Granted, I didn't follow this advice, but I was pretty comfortable with my analysis of the failure mode ( translates to it was making a racket but not stinking ).

I think there is a difference between the method Mr. Foster is blamed/credited for and the method I described in that pictorial I posted. Cutting through the blower housing (chainsaw method) is probably what I will do next time. The way I did it for those pictures was a first-timer approach intended to satisfy my curiosity of what all the fuss was about, so I had to adopt the attitude my German side demands.

So, next time, I'll use the chainsaw method (my Mom's Scottish and Irish) and try removing the dashboard for comfort, taking pics along the way. If you search, you'll find Chris Herbst's dashboard removal hints. I removed one recently; his suggestions are perfect. You'll see how simple it is once you decide to start taking some screws out. I only wish you were doing this on a nice August day instead of mid-Winter, presuming you're somewhat north of the equator.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore