Fan speed controller not working properly

[Jimnist]

For the first time in months, i turned the vents on :O Never really needed it, plus the car was lying dormant while i was fixing it. Anyways, so i went to test it out today and i got a spray of bugs, bug wings and sand XD Right AFTER i vacuumed as well.

To the point, i noticed that the 'low' and 'notch 1 (|)' doesn't work, but
'notch 2 (||)' and 'hi' does. Is there any way of finding out what's going on and fixing it? Turning on the A/C doesn't make a difference; although why would it

Thanks in advance

[Mike Gerber]

You most likely need a new blower motor resistor. Do a search. This has been ccovered numerous times. You should find a few threads with pictures that will help in identifying it's location.

Mike

[Jimnist]

Cheers!

[nuron]

Yup, my friend gave me a resistor from a 94+ Integra and it worked on mines haha. It doesn't fit into the slot fully but the connectors are fine. I just taped around it to hold it up.

[Mike Morris]

Jim I have several good ones if you need one. Just let me know what kind of climate controller is in the car. 2 different ones were used(lever or push button in the LE models). All you need is a phillips screwdriver to swap it. Can walk you through it

[Jimnist]

Thanks mate, but i'm pretty sure i got it all sorted now. Had a look last night by popping that cover that's held on by clips and i can already see the resistor pack. I just gotta take it out and solder it for the time being. XD

[Jimnist]

Just pulled the resistor pack out and can see the broken resistors. I can see how 'm2' and 'hi' are wired in, but can't see how 'low' and 'm1' fit in this. I think i might've broken 'm2' when taking it out Do you have to use wires like that (i have read its' nichrome, hence why it's cooled by the blower motor) or can you put those little bead type resistors on and solder them in place? If so, what are the ohm's for each?

Thanks in advance

[Dave's]

Think if it's 3 resistors they're .4, .8 and 1.5 ohms. No, bead type will fry in a heartbeat. And no, I don't think you can solder the wires themselves. (I tried a ceramic 5W resistor and it fried it too.) 10W ceramic was too large to fit. Hi doesn't go through a resistor which is why you can bet it's the resistor pack if hi works but other speeds do not. You can sometimes find photos on ebay or do a search here. I know I've seen photos. Good luck, but I think you're better off buying one.

[Jimnist]

It's funny you should say that because someone just told me they tried soldering in the bead-type resistors and they fried after a day.

Well, if there are only 3 resistors, i can see how it work then, but i can count 4 coils. Is that normal?

[Dave's]

# of resistors depend upon how many speeds you have. The one's I've dealt with were 4 speed. Sorry, I don't know your model car (I have gen 3, 4, and 5 Camry's and a '91 truck) so I can't answer specific questions as to the exact value or number of your resistors. I know my truck had the values stated and I've seen those same values stated for several other Toyota's here so I'm guessing they used those same resistors in a number of different models. However, from model to model and even year to year the mount has changed. I have changed the resistors from one type of mount to another. In newer models I think they started going to ceramic-encased resisters and perhaps even electronics systems. (Not sure about that but several other brands use electronics now so I would guess Toyota would too.) Just want to clarify not all cars have the same system.

[Jimnist]

Righty-o then. Well, i have 4 fan speeds, so with 4 speeds, there are only 3 resistors then and hi is when it doesn't pass through any then?

I guess i really have 3 then. It looks like 4 as the resistor that's the thinnest has broken off and "fallen" down, so it looks like another.

Thanks for your help. I'll try soldering on the bead resistor and see how that goes.

Thanks heaps.