1996 Dodge Grand Caravan LE AC/Heater Blower, Relay and Resistor Block Problems 101 - Page 2

Robin Hood · #16 08-07-2005, 10:37 AM

Got it fixed. It was the Resistor block. In the 1999 model you can't see it from the glove box. Too many obstructions. Oh, and the replacement cost is no longer $14, the bugger was $30 + tax at the dealer. Thanks for all the tips, the wife is happy, for now.

jgionet · #17 08-07-2005, 11:21 AM

I just replaced mine yesterday since I was only able to use my blower on high. It's about about $27 CAD (tax included) at my local dealer. They wanted another $34+tax for new wiring. Since my connector was rusted to hell I decided to save myself some $$ and made myself one with connectors. It was a little more work but it works. I have a 96 Caravan.

HeadlessHorseman · #18 12-12-2005, 07:53 AM

After going through and responding to all posts I could find about heater blower issues back to October, I'm bumping this thread back to the top. As usual, cold weather brings out the worst in Dodge Engineering and I hope this post helps others save 100's of $'s. Also, thanks to clrbrown, I have been able to add information about getting a Resistor Block from a non-dealer source! Thank you everyone for your comments and feedback - Cheers!

P.S. After nearly a year since I replaced all the goodies I mention in this thread (and creating this thread), I have not had any heating or blower problems whatsoever.

markmi · #19 12-16-2005, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadlessHorseman

After going through and responding to all posts I could find about heater blower issues back to October, I'm bumping this thread back to the top. As usual, cold weather brings out the worst in Dodge Engineering and I hope this post helps others save 100's of $'s. Also, thanks to clrbrown, I have been able to add information about getting a Resistor Block from a non-dealer source! Thank you everyone for your comments and feedback - Cheers!

P.S. After nearly a year since I replaced all the goodies I mention in this thread (and creating this thread), I have not had any heating or blower problems whatsoever.

Steve,
I have read your article, excellent. I have a 97 voyager though and my problem centers around the fact the blower works great but hot air is coming out the driverside and cold out the passenger. The reistat for the passenger does change the level of cold air coming out. The defrost vent, floor and dash vents on one side blow cold. Any suggestions?

krumcruncher · #20 12-16-2005, 05:55 PM

I found this site last pm and certainly at the right time! I've replaced the fan motor and resister on this vehicle, but can get it to stop the defrost cycle. The little lights on the 2 press button switches blink all the time and you can tell that the ac compressor cycles on/off. any help will be greatly appreciated. Someone said that replacing the resister is PITA, and I, maybe, discovered a simple method to extract it from the firewall. took me maybe 10 minutes to do it. a very sinple idea! Has to be pretty basic for me!

ksflatfoot · #21 12-17-2005, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krumcruncher

I found this site last pm and certainly at the right time! I've replaced the fan motor and resister on this vehicle, but can get it to stop the defrost cycle. The little lights on the 2 press button switches blink all the time and you can tell that the ac compressor cycles on/off. any help will be greatly appreciated. Someone said that replacing the resister is PITA, and I, maybe, discovered a simple method to extract it from the firewall. took me maybe 10 minutes to do it. a very sinple idea! Has to be pretty basic for me!

I am sorry, but I do not have any ideas on your problem. Perhaps someone reading this thread may be able to help.
ksflatfoot

jackel440 · #22 12-18-2005, 02:40 PM

great article !!!!
I have a 2001 and my fan only works on high also but my rear heater fan controls don't work at all.I wondered if the rear blower gets power throught the same resistor as the front blower?

krumcruncher · #23 12-18-2005, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackel440

great article !!!!
I have a 2001 and my fan only works on high also but my rear heater fan controls don't work at all.I wondered if the rear blower gets power throught the same resistor as the front blower?

Hello, you will need a new resister block for the front blower only, the rear has only 2 speeds, ie, off, low and high, and is fused, so all you need to do there is find and replace the fuse. Be SURE to get the same fuse, DO NOT put a higher rated fuse, ie, a 20 for a 15, as you will cause a hazardous situation. Go to rockauto.com for this part #PU93, less than with S/H,less than $25.00, unless you reside in their state
BE SURE you disconnect the neg batter cable before doing anything. The resister block is under the hood, high up on the pass side, and here's the way to remove it;First take a 2-3 foot piece of wood, ( I used a n old paint stick, the type that you screw onto a paint roller), insert this stick all the way to the firewall engaging the R B, and push and pry the block out a little, (you can't pry it all the way out), then take a 20 penny nail and fashion a hook on the end, lock the nail into vise grip plilers, reach in and get hold of the RB and PULL it out on one side, you'll have more space on the other side to insert the hook, and again PULL, don't be worried that you will destroy something, cause you won't and the RB is shot anyway. You have got to wiggle, wobble the block out to where you can disconnect the wires and if you have a replacement on hand, you have saved a bunch of money. HAVE FUN !

HeadlessHorseman · #24 12-20-2005, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markmi

Steve,
I have read your article, excellent. I have a 97 voyager though and my problem centers around the fact the blower works great but hot air is coming out the driverside and cold out the passenger. The reistat for the passenger does change the level of cold air coming out. The defrost vent, floor and dash vents on one side blow cold. Any suggestions?

I have heard of this problem before, but since I have not personally experienced it, I really don't know what to tell you. I do know that the separate controls for driver and passenger sides control multiple vents, so I would guess that it's the control or some part of that circuit. If anyone knows for sure, please post it here so that I can work the solution into my original post. This seems to be a fairly common problem. Sorry I cannot be more helpful.

However... I am trying to recall if there is some sort of program setup for the buttons that essentially resets the heating panel system. If this is true (and I am not just imagining that I heard this somewhere), I surely would like to hear from someone who knows about this and has actually been successful at doing it. If I recall correctly, this procedure also fixes issues like heat blowing out of some vents but not others.

HeadlessHorseman · #25 12-20-2005, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackel440

great article !!!!
I have a 2001 and my fan only works on high also but my rear heater fan controls don't work at all.I wondered if the rear blower gets power throught the same resistor as the front blower?

It sounds for sure like the Resistor Block is blown for your front Blower Motor. Check the fuse; if that isn't it, use a multimeter to determine whether or not the switch and motor are receiving any power (two separate tests). There may or may not be a relay involved in your rear heating situation as well. I know my Hayne's manual covers years 1996 through 1998, so I cannot say for sure where else the problem may be for your '01. I can tell you this... the Resistor Block on my '96 has no function at all for the rear heating system in my 2-zone GC LE.

HeadlessHorseman · #26 12-20-2005, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krumcruncher

I found this site last pm and certainly at the right time! I've replaced the fan motor and resister on this vehicle, but can get it to stop the defrost cycle. The little lights on the 2 press button switches blink all the time and you can tell that the ac compressor cycles on/off. any help will be greatly appreciated. Someone said that replacing the resister is PITA, and I, maybe, discovered a simple method to extract it from the firewall. took me maybe 10 minutes to do it. a very sinple idea! Has to be pretty basic for me!

I am trying to recall if there is some sort of program setup for the buttons that essentially resets the heating panel system. If this is true (and I am not just imagining that I heard this somewhere), I surely would like to hear from someone who knows about this and has actually been successful at doing it. If I recall correctly, this procedure also fixes issues like heat blowing out of some vents but not others.

krumcruncher · #27 12-20-2005, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadlessHorseman

I am trying to recall if there is some sort of program setup for the buttons that essentially resets the heating panel system. If this is true (and I am not just imagining that I heard this somewhere), I surely would like to hear from someone who knows about this and has actually been successful at doing it. If I recall correctly, this procedure also fixes issues like heat blowing out of some vents but not others.

according to local dealer ser dept, it has to do with the blend door or that something in the switches needs to be re-calibrated, which i doubt, as there's no adj things inside the bezel. i will try adjusting the blend door today and see what happens, as i know there's a control motor that moves the door, according to the setting selected. thanks for your previeous posts, very helpful!!

Parky50 · #28 12-25-2005, 12:06 AM

Great post HeadlessHorseman !!!

I'll try swapping the resistor block in my 2001 Caravan.
My front blower fan is only operating on the HIGH setting...

HeadlessHorseman · #29 12-27-2005, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parky50

Great post HeadlessHorseman !!!

I'll try swapping the resistor block in my 2001 Caravan.
My front blower fan is only operating on the HIGH setting...

After you've done this, please come back and post the results!

Parky50 · #30 12-28-2005, 04:58 PM

Hi there,

Well I had a few extra minutes this morning and I was trying to locate the Resistor Block...

I checked on the firewall by the strut as mentioned before but I could not see or feel it on my 2001. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated at this point.

Thanks,
Mike

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