Safari heater controls(?)

[RolandMD]

Hello,
I have a '97 Safari AWD and the issue I am having is with the front heater. It only works on high - when it works at all. Sometimes I start the van and it doesn't work, but it all of the sudden comes on while I am driving. I also found that if I hit the dash right above the controls, it sometimes comes on. If I move the selector from high, the blower motor stops, so again it only works on high. Any ideas? I saw that to purchase new climate controls (with RWD) is like $170!
Thanks,
Roland
PS:Merry Christmas if you keep it.

[brcidd]

"High speed only" means Blower motor resistor board is bad- located in HVAC box next to blower motor underhood- follow purple wire from blower motor back to board that is mounted in HVAC box. If blower motor is not on at all and you whaaaap it, and it comes on- then blower motor is worn out, and you need a new one. These are the two most common issues-- it is usually NOT a control head problem.

[RolandMD]

OK. Replaced resistor. Replaced blower motor. Still only worked on high. So I found the controls (used) for $50 - tested and installed them. All works fine now. Spoke to a mechanic who said, "It was the rheostat (off-low-med/hi-hi)." Only thing now is that none of the illumination lights work on any of the controls - temp control, radio (except for LED display), rear air or heat - nothing. The lighting did work on the old temp control. I had this same problem on my old Astro, so I guess it is a common problem.
Thanks!!!
Roland