Blower/fan question deux - only on high, now stops working

[inqzitr]

Hi there, and sorry for the repeat question, but I have a slightly different problem now.

As MANY people have noted, I too had the 'fan only working on high' thing going for many months. Didn't really bother me too much, and now I understand why (most likely the blower resistor). However, now I have a new problem: the blower STOPPED working all together tonight, and I am wondering how I should troubleshoot this. Is it a short? Is it the fan? Is it the switch?

Some other interesting observations:
- there are times that I stop the car, and the fan continues blowing, even though everything is off.
- There are times that I turn on the fan (i.e. from off to 'high'), and it wouldn't start. However, in about 3-5 sec. it would.
- I have removed the A/C panel, and it seems that everything is working there. The switch did have a lot of gunk on it/grease, which I didn't know if was a problem.

How would you all suggest that I test each one of these? Also: what safety measures should I take when working with the fan (i.e. I have an aversion to electrocution... but I realize I need some juice...).

Thanks for your help/advice.

[inqzitr]

Going to get the blower motor resistor. FYI for anyone else doing this- it is a dealer part, so don't waste your time talking to other people, just go there. Part is $13-14.

The real question now is what to do about the blower completely stopping, so if anyone has any pointers, please LMK. Thanks!

[cbwilsha]

I believe a new Blower Motor Resistor will solve all the blower problems.

C.B.

[inqzitr]

so, now the blower doesn't work at all. Panel still lights up, and whatnot. I REALLY don't want to take the dash apart... is this the only way to get at the blower? Is there another point to check to see if there is a short somewhere (i.e. exposed wiring where something bad could happen?)

Thanks in advance!

[cbwilsha]

I'm sorry to hear the new BMR didn't do it for you. I'm not sure about the answers to your other questions. Maybe someone else will chime in here with some help.

C.B.

[CaptZane]

Hi there,

I have a similar problem so will try to replace the resistor. Is it easy to do? Can you point me somewhere that gives me a step by step.

thanks,

Andy

Originally Posted by inqzitr

Going to get the blower motor resistor. FYI for anyone else doing this- it is a dealer part, so don't waste your time talking to other people, just go there. Part is $13-14.

The real question now is what to do about the blower completely stopping, so if anyone has any pointers, please LMK. Thanks!

[QWESTER]

Hi I,
Blower always runs at least at lowest speed unless off button is engaged if you have a.c.. Resistor replacement only affects the two middle speeds. Something may be dragging on the blower wheel. On my 89 Imtap the motor with a hammer with the power to the blower on to get it started. My blower motor brushes are worn (140k miles) so torque is dropping due to poor brush contact. If i could findout how to remove the lower dash panel I would replace the motor but it's zero F outside so i'll keep using the hammer til spring.

hope this helps

qwester

[acsordas]

I have a related question. My 98 Grand Caravan heater fan only works on high. I ordered a resistor from the dealer, but I can't figure out where the resistor is mounted. Thanks for the help!!

/\ndy

[cbwilsha]

The Blower Motor Resistor in 1998 models is mounted on the firewall under the hood on the passenger side just behind and to the side of the A/C equipment. It has a tab on each side you have to fool with to get it to come out. Push in on the tabs and it should come out of the firewall and then you can disconnect the electric lines plugged into it and snap in the new one.

C.B.

C.B.

[acsordas]

Originally Posted by cbwilsha

The Blower Motor Resistor in 1998 models is mounted on the firewall under the hood on the passenger side just behind and to the side of the A/C equipment. It has a tab on each side you have to fool with to get it to come out. Push in on the tabs and it should come out of the firewall and then you can disconnect the electric lines plugged into it and snap in the new one.

C.B.

C.B.

Thanks CB, Have a wonderful new year!

/\ndy

[mvollmar11]

I just spent a couple of hours getting my blower motor out. Took it to an auto parts store who said they can't test it. It only works on the high setting. They said if it works on high its not the motor and to check the switch. I asked them if they were talking about the control on the dash, they said yes and that you can't get the part from them, only dealer. I'd hate to take out the center console (controls). Where can I find this resister part on my 96 Ply. Grand Voyager that has been mentioned on forums?

[caravandrvr]

The blower motor resistor is located on the firewall under the hood. Open the hood and look at the firewall on the passenger side of the engine compartment. You will see a multi connector type thin that looks liek it plugs right into the firewall. It is quite possible it may look like it has sort of burned up in spots. The advice to go to the dealer for a new part is good, but I'd highly recommend going to a boneyard to get a connector in better shape if yours is (and it probably is) corroded or burned. What I did was to get a new resistor from the dealer - then went to the boneyard and cut the connector off a harness that was in much better shape. Then I spliced the boneyard connector onto my harness - soldered with one of those cool propane soldering irons, then heat shrink tubing and tons of electrical tape. It has been going strong ever since. One thing though, be sure you keep track of which wire goes where on the connector or your speeds will be out of order on the switch - and that is not worth opening the slice back up to fix. Just another custom quirk in the old van now...

[mvollmar11]

That is exactly what I found, burnt plug in. It was very hard to get the plug disconnected and after getting it off I found that it had burned and melted (fused) together. I bought a new plug ($20.00) and will splice it together soon. I will use the heat shrink tubes also. Thanks for the input.

[inqzitr]

Well, I decided instead of leaving anyone who looks at this this hanging in suspense!

Well, here's what happened:

blower motor resistor: I disconnected the battery and I replaced the resistor, which BTW was rusted to the plug. On my 96, you can find this under the hood. I had to remove a bracket from what looks like the A/C system so I could get my hands under there. It was a simple friction clip system- no bolts or anything. Just pull it out (it actually was pretty hard to remove, but eventually came out...).

I knew the resistor was bad b/c 2 coils were burnt out... like a blown fuse (I wish I had pics...). Knowing that it was broken, I simply cut the resistor off in chunks to get a the plug, and then used 2 screwdrivers to separate the two (this happened to someone else as well.) What I mean by cut off: I basically broke off chunks of the plastic housing that went around the plug.

I replaced the reistor, it is $14 at a dealership. You can look elsewhere, but they were the only ones in town who had one. $14 is well, pretty cheap.

However, this didn't solve my problems. Fan still wouldn't come on. I assumed it was the blower motor. Contacted the dealership as only they could get this part, and it turns out new its $130. I needed this car for work and didn't have time to dicker with it more since those storms just hit. You could probably get it from a junkyard, but I didn't have time to do that. I took it to a local dealership and let them see what they could figure out.

Turns out it was a blower motor relay that was bad. They replaced it and it now works like a charm. Total cost, even with taking it to a dealership was about the same as replacing the motor.

So in summary: I had two problems. One was the 'fan only works on high or off'. Had a bad blower motor resistor, and that seemed to fix that problem. The second was the fan just quit working. New blower motor relay fixed that problem.

Well, I hope this thread helped someone out, or will help them out in the future.

[mvollmar11]

In case I find this is also the problem with my 96 did they tell you where the relay is?