Fan switch or resistor...should I believe the parts guy.

[rossb]

I have an 02 TJ and one position on the heater fan switch doesn't work.   it is a 4 position switch, sort of off, low, medium and high ... and the second position (low) doesn't work.  The medium and high work fine.  I suspect it is the fan speed switch as the second setting is usually where the fan is set to.

I went into the dealer and they said...it is the resistor if only the high speed works and they sold me a new resistor.  I have not installed it yet, and if i do I can't return it.  I was wondering if anyone has had this problem, and do you agree with the dealer or do you think it might be the switch.

Any tips would be appreciated, also is it hard to replace the fan switch?

thanks
ross

[nickcoleman9]

my 97 had the samme issues started with low then med though, turns out the plug into the resistor overheated though went to a pyp and got resistor and harness

[LifesGrand]

I have an 02 TJ and one position on the heater fan switch doesn't work.   it is a 4 position switch, sort of off, low, medium and high ... and the second position (low) doesn't work.  The medium and high work fine.  I suspect it is the fan speed switch as the second setting is usually where the fan is set to.

I went into the dealer and they said...it is the resistor if only the high speed works and they sold me a new resistor.  I have not installed it yet, and if i do I can't return it.  I was wondering if anyone has had this problem, and do you agree with the dealer or do you think it might be the switch.

Any tips would be appreciated, also is it hard to replace the fan switch?

thanks
ross

I have had this problem in other vehicles.. I would beleive him!
I have also seen this happen with other Jeep members from another forum..
I would locate the resistor pack (small spring looking resistors) and do a visual on it.
They do get quite warm & rot out..

my .002 cents worth...

[dac]

I've also got an 02 (Sport) my resistor went last summer.  It's behind the glove box.  Pull it out and check the resistance of the pins.  From what I remember you should not have any open circuits between any of the pins.

[rossb]

Well I replaced the resister and all is well, you could see the corrosion on the old part.  Thanks for the tips.

I might add- what a stupid place to put the resister,   if I was planning on putting it in the most stupid place I don't think even I could come up with a place that stupid.

[Elsifer]

I had this problem last year as well.
I had continuity thru the switch, so I took it into the dealership for some other work; and they replaced the resistor pack and all was well.

I'd believe the parts guy.

[dunl]

I might add- what a stupid place to put the resister,   if I was planning on putting it in the most stupid place I don't think even I could come up with a place that stupid.

What's the matter?  You don't have three extra joints in your wrist compared to most humans like the engineer that designed that? 

[Vinman]

What's the matter?  You don't have three extra joints in your wrist compared to most humans like the engineer that designed that? 

Behind every successful Engineer should be a guy swinging  a bat "WHACK... Make It Work"


Vince

[LifesGrand]

Well I replaced the resister and all is well, you could see the corrosion on the old part.  Thanks for the tips.

I might add- what a stupid place to put the resister,   if I was planning on putting it in the most stupid place I don't think even I could come up with a place that stupid.

Thanks for replying with the fix, for others & their search!
 

[dac]

Behind every successful Engineer should be a guy swinging  a bat "WHACK... Make It Work"


Vince

The engineers without field experience would be more like it.  There is a big difference between the work an engineer with no clue does, and those who know what they are dealing with.

[rossb]

In case someone is searching on how to replace a resistor, to do so you
1.. remove the glove box
2..locate the small courtesy light on the passengers side and remove the single screw holding it in place
3..the resistor is located about 1 to 1 1/2 inches above the light and is held in by two screws
4..the bottom screw is easy to remove, the top screw requires a bit of bashing your knuckles'
5..once the screws have been removed you have to wiggle, rotate wiggle and swear a bit after which the resistor comes out
6..it is held in place by a small red retaining clip, a slotted screw driver is a good tool to loosen the retaining clip
7..replace the resistor, it has a rubber seal that has to sit in the opening, and put in the top screw first, then the bottom one
8..replace glove box and light.
9..notice "hey the fan works on all 4 settings now"
10.have a beer.