1990 Dodge Spirit Blower Motor

[ron3033]

The blower moter stopped so the heat or AC will not be of any use in the 1990 Dodge Spirit. I have been told it is the blower moter resistor, but I am not sure. Is the resistor located under the windshield wiper cowel behind the tank for the washer fluid?? Like it is in a difficult spot to get at. How do I check the resitor to see if it is good............ use a multimeter?

I am trying to get this fixed on my mother's car and save some $$. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Ron3033

[dukeathome]

It may be the motor itself try tapping on it if you can reach it,if it starts working you'll have confirmed it.You have checked fuses right?

[ron3033]

Duke Thanks I tried to tap the motor as best I could, but I will make a better effort............they put stuff in such difficult spots to get at

[john_13475]

if the fuse okay..try to check if you get a power and ground to those 2 wires

[ron3033]

I will try that in the morning, thanks John. The blower motor is good and the motor resistor looked okay too............ so unless no power at the fuse panel then I guess it is the switch in the dash is the culprit. i even sprayed the switch with contact cleaner. I am wondering if there is a relay somewhere?

[john_13475]

i will check those 2 wires with the test light first..sometimes the blower circuit uses relay in the hot wire...and the resistor and blower switch is tied up in the ground side...i can check it for you tomorrow in my alldata in the shop..

[satchick]

The resistor can look ok but can be failed open internally... There could be a relay somewhere in that system, but every car is different. Do you have a schematic for the blower circuit?

[Condor]

i will check those 2 wires with the test light first..sometimes the blower circuit uses relay in the hot wire...and the resistor and blower switch is tied up in the ground side...i can check it for you tomorrow in my alldata in the shop..

If it has a resistor you can ohm it out with a Multimeter.. If u know the resistance value...But also u can check to see if its open..

[john_13475]

I hope Ron3033 has has a multimeter or test light to check the blower circuit...

[ron3033]

i will check those 2 wires with the test light first..sometimes the blower circuit uses relay in the hot wire...and the resistor and blower switch is tied up in the ground side...i can check it for you tomorrow in my alldata in the shop..

I would appreciate that John. I had the resistor out and I did a continuity test of the across the ends of the loops of wire each worked. So I put it back in......what a job to get at.

Thanks
Ron3033

[ron3033]

I have no schematic for the car, it is old but my mother needs it once in a while, so this is why all the effort. I looked for schematic but could not find one.

Thanks
Ron3033

[ron3033]

The resistor can look ok but can be failed open internally... There could be a relay somewhere in that system, but every car is different. Do you have a schematic for the blower circuit?

I have no schematic for the car, it is old but my mother needs it once in a while, so this is why all the effort. I looked for schematic but could not find one.

Thanks
Ron3033

[dukeathome]

try running 12volts to the motor itself.

[ron3033]

Duke did that yesterday, it was good and I took out the blower resistor and did a continuity test across all of the coils (bottom end of one coil to the other bottom end of the coil) and three coils were good too. I ahve to try to probe the fuse block for that particular fuse location for 12 volts as pointed out by john_13475 in an earlier post. Maybe the switch, I do not see any relays............. but I could be missing it.

Thanks
Ron3033

[satchick]

http://autorepair.about.com/library/graphics//41823761.gif

That's the wiring diagram for a Dodge Dynasty with manual climate controls, the wire colors are probably not the same, but it'll give you an idea of how the system works. Most cars with manual climate controls are set up this way, with the fan speed control supplying the ground for the blower motor, through the resistor.

Since the blower motor is connected directly to a 12v source, you should have 12v at the blower motor connector (measure between the +12v pin and the chassis of the car). If you have no power here, it could be a blown fuse, bad connection, or damaged wire.

To test for ground at the blower motor connector, set your multimeter to ohms, and test for continuity between the ground pin in the connector, and the chassis of the car or negative battery terminal. If there's no ground present, you'll have to work backwards, testing at the blower motor resistor, and then moving into the cabin, you'll need to test the climate control unit for proper operation.

Does the illumination in the climate control unit work? If it doesn't light up, it's possible that there's a problem with that ground connection on the left hand side... Sometimes those connectors get corroded, especially if there have been any leaks.

[ron3033]

http://autorepair.about.com/library/graphics//41823761.gif

That's the wiring diagram for a Dodge Dynasty with manual climate controls, the wire colors are probably not the same, but it'll give you an idea of how the system works. Most cars with manual climate controls are set up this way, with the fan speed control supplying the ground for the blower motor, through the resistor.

Since the blower motor is connected directly to a 12v source, you should have 12v at the blower motor connector (measure between the +12v pin and the chassis of the car). If you have no power here, it could be a blown fuse, bad connection, or damaged wire.

To test for ground at the blower motor connector, set your multimeter to ohms, and test for continuity between the ground pin in the connector, and the chassis of the car or negative battery terminal. If there's no ground present, you'll have to work backwards, testing at the blower motor resistor, and then moving into the cabin, you'll need to test the climate control unit for proper operation.

Does the illumination in the climate control unit work? If it doesn't light up, it's possible that there's a problem with that ground connection on the left hand side... Sometimes those connectors get corroded, especially if there have been any leaks.

Thank You for the help and the schematic. I will work it back and see if I can get to the source of the problem. I will take your suggestions of what to check in a print out so I do all the possible look fors.

thank you
ron3033

[john_13475]

ron, its a similar diagram...except the high speed wire is directly in the blower control switch..so even the resistor is bad the blower will still work only high speed...make sure you have a one power in the blower connector when you in ignition on..otherwise i will check #9 fuse... pay attention to burnt connectors terminal look closely...sorry i could'nt make you a copy...but its similar ...

[ron3033]

Thanks John I appreciate you taking the time to look up the info. I will check that out Wednesday............ I took a little R & R today and went on a day trip, it ahad been a long time since the Mrs. and I have been able to get away......so we did.

Thanks
ron3033

[oldskool]

It's possible that you need new brushes for the blower motor. They do wear down in time.

[ron3033]

It's possible that you need new brushes for the blower motor. They do wear down in time.

Thanks Oldskool I did try the motor by hooking it up to the cig lighter socket with a plug into the socket and the motor started right up.

Ron3033

[Condor]

So still no luck John???.. At least you know motor works....By looking at the drawings they look pretty straight forward.. I guess next would be to check the wiring for opens... I'd start from the slide control to the resistor wires... I know... Saying vs doing it and getting to it are a whole different matter...lol..

[satchick]

I'd go back one step and check that ground connection.... It looks like the whole system is grounded to that one point, if it gets loose or corroded it'll cause all kinds of problems. You'd just have to check for continuity between pin 7 (Z1) in the climate control unit's connector and an unpainted part of the dash/body or other ground point. If the illumination doesn't work that could be a sign of that ground connection being faulty.

Did you ever test for voltage at the blower motor connector?

[ron3033]

Hey folks Thanks to everybody for all the help. We got it working, the ignition switch had to be changed ( just the switch, not the key lock part apparently it is a common problem with these Glow Ring Ignition key switches. But we are all go again....THANK YOU THANK YOU one and all.

Ron3033

ps: When I get my W Forecaster and get my sat back up I hope I can get some help from you people then too. But I will make sure I find the info on the site first, and then ask questions if I need too.

[callmedavie02]

bump.

reading this thread got me all hooked up. I was about to post my "diagnosis" of your blower motor (http://www.racepages.com/parts/blower_motor.html)s condition, but yeah, it was already fixed. LAST YEAR. *sigh* so stumped right now, don't know where to put all this hype away.

@.@

sorry for still bringing up this post.