ac switch question

[lilhoodlum86]

hey guys....i really need some help.

my AC doesn't blow anymore when u turn the knob to low or any speed OTHER than HIGH.


what could it be?? im thinking maybe the climate control switch is bad.....should i change the whole box that goes under the radio???


i REALLY need AC for this summer.....

[burijon]

It's the blower motor resistor. The "proper" fix from a purists stand point is to replace the blower motor with the resistor as the older motor is going to wear on the resistor much faster than a newer blower motor.

I only replaced my resistor on my other car and it's still okay. It's $20 from Rockauto.

[lilhoodlum86]

so its the resistor for sure?? where do i find it at??? somewhere in the engine bay or inside the car???

[burijon]

I would assume it's behind the glove box near the blower motor. Here is what it looks like:
http://info.rockauto.com/SMP/SMPDetail3.html?RU60.html

It's a $20 guess and your symptoms are dead on for the blower resistor especially since you said it only runs on high. The resistor does just that, it makes resistance so that the blower motor doesn't run at full speed when you don't want it to run. Most places will not allow returns on electronic parts unless they are defective. It shouldn't be that hard to replace once you get the glove box out of the way.

[lilhoodlum86]

alright thanks alot....


also, before i go ahead and buy the part, is there anyway i can check and make sure that its the resistor thats bad???

i have a test light? can i use that and find out anything??
where do i check?


thanks alot!

[burijon]

Not knowing what the resistance value of a proper operating resistor I would assume testing with a VOM should indicate Open Circuit if it's toast. That should definitely tell you it's bad. As a workaround try spraying some contact cleaner on it first or giving it the proverbial "kick" start to see if that makes it start working . I would take mine apart and test it but I have a myriad projects going on as it is.

If you are buying it from a local store take in your part and ohm it against a good one to be doubly sure.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/t640...istor_mod.html

[lilhoodlum86]

i bought the resistor from dealership for 40 bux....this is my dads car so i prefer dealer only parts on it....

but yea ....i got it in and its working great.....

taking out the resistor was a BI***!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

my goodness!
i put it back in with only one screw holding it in....left the other 2 off....
it should be ok..



thanks for your help guys!!

[ND4SP]

For people with this problem in the future, there are two(could be three) fuses soldered in place(not replaceable) that will blow when you see this problem. You can take your test light and test on either side, you will have power on one side, not the other. I had this happen on my buddies Grand Prix, he was replacing the fan motor, and it still didn't work. I measured on the fuses and two of them were blown.