1997 Intrepid Blower not working, blown fuse

[eagle9760]

I am not sure where the blower motor is. I assume it is probably behind the glove box.... OK, where is it?
I checked and determined there is power going to the switch but when I turn the switch on it blows the fuse....OK, now just what could cause that other than a short in the blower motor or wiring harness?
.... Now, I'm not familiar with these air bagged cars, so someone PLEASE tell me how to disable the airbag so I don't get my arm broke or knocked unconscious fooling with this thing.

Okay now, somebody give me some tips on where the dang blower motor is, how to get to it, and how to get the thing out if I have to. My plan is to try to disconnect it and assume that if the switch doesn't blow a fuse when I turn it on with the blower motor disconnected then it is probably a bad blower motor and I'll just replace it and be done with the whole mess.

[theFREAKnasty82]

Easiest way to test the blower motor to see if it's working is to get a 12 volt power source and run positive and negative to the blower. If it turns, it's ok. You are right about the blower being bad; if the armature is bad and it's pulling more than 30 amps, the motor is bad and you need to replace it. If it pulling less than 30 amps, and you still are blowing the fuse, you have a short to ground somewhere between the fuse and the blower motor. Also, about disabling the airbags, just disconnect the battery and don't touch anything for about a minute and a half. That way, you allow the capacitors in the airbag modules to discharge of any excess electricity stored. Once that happens, you are free to work on things w/o worrying about an airbag blowing up in your face. (No fun, but it SAVES LIVES!!! After I got into a bad head-on w/ my '92 Spirit, I believe in the power of airbags; they are life-savers.)

[eagle9760]

Originally Posted by eagle9760

I am not sure where the blower motor is. I assume it is probably behind the glove box.... OK, where is it?
I checked and determined there is power going to the switch but when I turn the switch on it blows the fuse....OK, now just what could cause that other than a short in the blower motor or wiring harness?
.... Now, I'm not familiar with these air bagged cars, so someone PLEASE tell me how to disable the airbag so I don't get my arm broke or knocked unconscious fooling with this thing.

Okay now, somebody give me some tips on where the dang blower motor is, how to get to it, and how to get the thing out if I have to. My plan is to try to disconnect it and assume that if the switch doesn't blow a fuse when I turn it on with the blower motor disconnected then it is probably a bad blower motor and I'll just replace it and be done with the whole mess.

Great... sounds good and easy enough... now, where's the blower? Do I have to pull the whole dash or just some covers to get to it? I know that on some cars it's under the hood, some you have to practically pull the fenders and some you pull all the stuff under the dash or glove box on the passenger side. I can't see much on this thing and don't want to disassemble the whole car looking for a stupid blower motor.