replacing blower motor resistor?

**TomOfTarsus** · 02-13-2016

Ok, mebbee I'm really stoopid. But I have a problem. I checked back on NAPA's site and the two they list do specify manual controls, and that then is what I got. To double check, I went to Rock Auto, and there are parts for both manual and "w/o Climate Control" so there are separate parts.

I guess I'm buggered. The motor ran on high (but only on high, or "5") the first time it ran the car. Now nothing. I can't imagine it's the blower motor, any chance the dash switch could be bad? Does anyone know which is the neutral on the connector from the dash to the resistor? Because then I could see if I'm getting voltage from the dash to the resistor, and if so, check the voltage on the line from the resistor to the motor, and if I got juice there, then it's the motor.

Sound like a plan?

Thanks all!

**Russosaur** · 02-13-2016

I'd say its possible the motor died, could be really bad timing. I'd start to see if the motor is getting power then work backwards only because its easier. On 5 it should bypass the resistor if I remember right so if the resisitor was bunk or not it should still work on 5. Not sure if you mentioned checking fuses yet or not but thats also something to look at also.

**TomOfTarsus** · 02-13-2016

Thanks, Russosaur, but after one more trip under that dash I fixed it. I didn't have the connector in well enough. And so I pushed - and rocked - and grunted... finally squeezed my other arm in there so I could push with one finger from each hand... push, rock, push, pull out on the clip with one finger while pushing with a couple of others... still no click... worked my way back out, got a couple of screwdrivers, half scared to death that I'll slip and cut a wire or bust the resistor... back in the position, tried pushing up on the clip, on both sides of the resistor, still no click.

I can't pull it back out with reasonable force, so I hope it stays there. And I have all 5 speeds.

I've seen some ridiculous designs in my time, but this borders on fiendish. I understand spark plugs in the back and tight engine compartments and such. But so much work, such terrible placement and angles, such an impossibly tight wiring connector - for such a minor, yet necessary component. With just a few seconds' thought that could have been a much easier replacement. My wife has to have our other car 4 days a week for my autistic son - this is my daily driver, and you can't navigate in winter without defrost. Good glory.

Much thanks again to you and Logan. And if I find that guy that did this... as Ralph Cramden (Jackie Gleason) used to say, "POW! Right in the kisser!"