I have a on going problem with the front blower motor on my van. Sometimes the front blower will run and sometimes it won't. The rear blower works fine. I have replaced the fan resistor behind the glove box and it did not solve the problem. I would appreciate any help and advice on how to troubleshoot this problem.
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Dead spot in the motor, umm, rotator/commutater? Basically if the fan motor omes to a stop in that dead spot, it won't start up again.
Hitting it with a stick, or driving until you hit a pothole... will often get it started again.
But the actual fix involves... replacing the blower motor.
I had a local junkyard here install a used one for about $75.
It's either a bad motor or a bad connection on the switch/relay. Look for discoloured connectons - not as common on Chrysler as on Ford.
As for the motor, often the brushes are worn and/or stuck. Replacement is the best bet - but if installing used stuff, for crying out loud make sure it's in better shape than what you are taking out!!!!. For the work involved, it does NOT make sense to install something that is already worn out.
I agree about installing used parts like a blower motor. I have priced them online for around $50 so I think if it is the blower motor I would be better off getting a new one instead of throwing money on something that has probably not run or sat idle for years.
Agreed, but in my specific case the yard is local and gave me a one year guarantee. And... they had the part right there so it was 30 minutes of in-and-out.
(They're "the" chrysler used parts/fix em up place for this part of the state).
Eyup. and while they were at it they cleaned some of the gunk out of the ductwork. Trust me, you don't want to know just how dirty that area is....
Geeze, Clare, brushes are EASY!
They can be had for a couple dollars at the hardware store.
Cool. um, did it solve the problem?
Hey, I KNOW they are easy - Which is what I meant by make sure it is in better shape than what you took out and replacement (of the brushes) is the best bet.
Sadly, replacing the brushes doesn't always fix them when they get to the point they don't run any more, because the commutator gets worn /burned/ gouged to the point it cannot be readilly cleaned up. Then a good used one (check and replace brushes if necessary) or a new one is required.
When having a used unit installed by a scrap yard you want to make sure they warrantee both the part and the labour - and they have actually checked the part before installing. The good ones do - but MANY do not. The labour, generally, is worth more than the (used) part.
I agree with you Clare, if I had not taken my caravan to a garage to verify that the blower was bad I could have used that $77 toward a new blower motor, which I was able to find online for $59. But I did not want to be buying parts until I knew for sure it was the motor. And as busted up from Iraq like I am I can not just install a motor and then find out that it was not lhe problem so I went to a garage and paid the money to get it verified. But geting brushes like you mention and then going through all the hassle of installing them and then put the motor back in just for it to work for a week or two and then having to go through all the hassle of taking it out and replacing it with another motor, you are better off getting a new one. I was forced after paying the $77 to go to a junk yard and pay $35 for them to take the motor off for me and it is not guaranteed, just only can get store credit which is about the same anywhere if the motor should not work but not sure just how long it will work.
Thanks all.
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