Blower motor type question.

Auberon · **Posted:** Sat Jun 29, 2013 4:59 am

After all this time - my first actual question.
Please, does anyone know if the blower motor is a brush type or what kind of motor?
They usually are brush but would appreciate confirmation.
Many thanks.

Would prefer to ask rather than pull her down just to see.

Reason for asking:
Just going through that cheap and nasty resistor failing that I've read so much about for speed control of the blower motor......Yet another cross we bear thanks to the bean counters. Yet again, the least efficient way to control the speed...and the most likely to cause fire YET AGAIN!

I am seriously considering trying to fit a PWM controller rated @ 30 Amps (AUD30.00 all-up price for a commercially made unit).

I see the blower resistor in a state of perpetual failure for as long as we run them. A bit like the Window regulators, fuel heaters well, you guys know the story - we're making them into better vehicles with good aftermarket kit. Given that I have to pay considerably more after freight to Australia for even little parts I want to do it once and once only.

Cheers and thanks.

Hexus · **Posted:** Sat Jun 29, 2013 6:37 am

My resistor failed at about 80000 miles, once I replaced it with the new one I have never had another issue and I run mine all the time as I like constant fresh air even if it's just a fan.

40k miles ago and still no issues, I think you will be just fine with the resistor as I think they alleviated any issues when they remanufactured it.

While not the answer you were looking for, I hope this helps in some regard.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sat Jun 29, 2013 9:15 am

This does not appear to be a really common failure point but it does happen. If it does the heavy duty replace it once and forget about it unit to get is BWD RU1040 (listed for a 2001-2004 Chrysler Sebring)

Auberon · **Posted:** Sat Jun 29, 2013 11:07 pm

Appreciate that information. Thank you.
I'd still like to confirm the type of electric motor it is.
Cheers

amslube · **Posted:** Wed Jul 03, 2013 10:24 am

I just replaced the resistor module in my wife's CRD today. Part was available at my local NAPA and they had 4 in stock. Sort of tells you about the reliability of this part!!!!!

Hexus · **Posted:** Wed Jul 03, 2013 2:40 pm

It is a brush type motor, it's pictured past page 5800 in the service manual, CTRL+F Blower Motor and you'll find the picture of it.

Auberon · **Posted:** Sun Jul 07, 2013 8:24 am

Thanks for this.
I still don't understand why car manufacturers use technology that is out of date and can be replaced by better methods.
Using resistors is out of the ark as a method of DC motor speed control and they get too (rude words) hot - yet another fire hazard in our vehicles. The Sebring part costs me about AUD90 to get hold of. It is crazy. I can get a 30 amp PWM controller assembled & delivered for AUD22. Talk about loaded.

tedder · **Joined:** Thu Sep 15, 2011 7:19 pm **Posts:** 137

I think my wife's CRD has the blower motor speed problem. Where is this Resistor located in the dash or ? I tried searching for info but all I found is this post.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sun Jul 21, 2013 4:45 pm

Old post for which I lack the link but have the text says

Yesterday speeds 1 and 2 stopped working on the cabin heater/AC fan on my 06 CRD and I found this thread. Here's pictures of old (right) and new (left). I got mine at Advanced Autoparts and it's ceramic covered as mentioned. The brand is BWD and part number is RU1040 and is listed for a 2001-2004 Chrysler Sebring. To get to the resistor open the glove box then press inward on the latch arms on the left and right side to let it drop down further. The resistor is right there held on by two 5/16 hex head screws. You need to pull out on the red tab about 1/4" to push the release and it required some pressure to get the red tap to pull out.

Auberon · **Posted:** Mon Jul 22, 2013 7:33 am

Just an additional note that the FSM says to (ON vehicles fitted with airbags) do disable by disconnecting and isolating the negative battery cable then wait 2 minutes for the airbag capacitor to discharge.

Seems a lot of trouble to go to but netter safe than sorry I to be sure.

kissfan79 · **Posted:** Mon Jul 22, 2013 10:33 am

Wow....this is kind of ironic. My speed number one on my AC fan just stopped working. I looked through some of the older posts about the resistor.
Papaindigo: which resistor is the better of the two to get....the one you listed at Advance that is for the Sebring or the one referenced in some of the older posts at the dealership for the Jeep?

Thanks, Jim

papaindigo · **Posted:** Mon Jul 22, 2013 11:25 am

It is my understanding that the one listed for the Sebring is a heavier duty unit.

tedder · **Joined:** Thu Sep 15, 2011 7:19 pm **Posts:** 137

Everyone, thanks for the info I found it and will be getting it out soon. This site is great!!!

Auberon · **Posted:** Tue Jul 23, 2013 1:12 am

kissfan this is why I have a problem with the technology (and I use the term loosely) - the electricity runs through the whole bank of resistors to limit it enough to give slowest speed and as it runs faster it runs through progressively less of the resistor pack.
Seems slow goes first and so on. Papa is right the better the resistor pack you can get the more durable it must be but given what we now can do with electronics and motor control it is still an archaic method.

If it wasn't so exxy (and I hadn't found an alternative) I would go with exactly the Sebring unit Papa is putting forward.

I think infinite control might be a luxury I can do for very few dollars. it should be in my mail box this week. Then the thinking cap goes on.

In the last RockAuto newsletter they suggested that as part of a diagnostics strategum you look at how many different suppliers there were for a particular part in an area of a vehicle you are having trouble with. If there are numerous makers offering a particular part or OEM equivalent it is worth their while to make it and these parts are therefore prone to failure. Good logic when you think of it.

Ergo it is a unit they find worh their while making in large numbers and by the RockAuto logic is a part prone to failure.

I want to upset this little applecart.

kissfan79 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 25, 2013 12:36 pm

Well....I replaced the resistor and all is well. It was kind of interesting though. After I replaced the resistor it took a second or two longer for the fan to come on (in any speed) and I thought for a second the whole thing was down now. It came on and functions normally now. The one thing I would add is that I went ahead and removed the 2 screws that hold the plastic panel under the glove box and removed that panel. Once I did that, I had great access from underneath for my hand to get up in there and pull the red tab out. It made it a lot easier.

Thanks again guys for everyone sharing their knowledge/know how to help solve these problems and making the repairs easier.

Jim

Blower motor type question.

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