Fan speed switch not working.

Hi all, so driving home yesterday I realized my fan was not blowing at ANY SPEED. Not on full blast or anything. I took it in to a local guy who I trust today, who's done switch/ fan motor replacements on tacomas before. And he said that my switch is failing. After wiggling around a bit it starting working again, but he says it's bound to fail again and the only fix is to order a new $1000 climate control cluster. Should I take it somewhere else for a second opinion? I don't think I'm savvy enough with switches and their wiring to try and work out the issue for myself.

 

It wouldn’t be the first time someone has misdiagnosed a problem. I’d sure try replacing the resistor and plug first. Heck of a lot cheaper than what you were quoted.

 

I think your mechanic is full of sh!t. There is no way the climate control panel is $1000.00.

Most likely knowing the issues with these your problem is either the motor plug or the resistor plug connector has a burned terminal. Check the connectors on the blower motor.

Oh, and find a new mechanic that isn't out to rip you a new one.

 

Thanks so much for the response man, I'm going to pull it apart and try and see if it looks like what you've linked. I know that $1000 definitely had some sticker shock to it.

 

If the plugs are not burnt out, just replace the resistor and blower motor at the same time. It's not hard to do.

 

An 05 - 10 controller can be had off ebay for about 150 bucks, a 2011 - 2015 for about 250 - 300 bucks. It would only take about 15 minutes to replace it. So yes your mechanic is a crook.

https://www.ebay.com/b/A-C-Heater-Controls-for-Toyota-Tacoma/33545/bn_1496165

 

I initially took apart the blower motor, cleaned it and reinstalled. That worked for about a week until the same issue occurred again, only working on High.

I then replaced the resistor and 4-pin connector and that worked a bit longer, maybe a month and then same issue again. This is when I started hitting the blower motor to get it working. Did that for about 3 weeks until I started getting an electrical burning smell when running the fan.

There are quite a few threads on this issue but glad I came across this one because it had the part numbers for the 2-pin connector and wires that connect directly to the fan. It was SEVERELY burned.

I replaced that and so for it’s beem working fine on all speeds, no burning smell for about 2 weeks.

I hope this is a permanent fix but I’ll keep an eye on the connectors.

One thread I came across seemed to indicate there’s a new/updated blower motor too?
Does anyone have info on that?

 

@Jimmyh Thanks for the heads up, I went back to my guy and grilled him about the work he actually did and he admitted to just ordering the part sight unseen, my business is gone from there. I took my glove compartment off and found that the power plug is burned just like this guy....

Look like this is the fix....

Which you linked before. Thank you again! Need to check the resistor as well which I think may also be burned.

 

For me, it is actually the plug (pigtail). I realized after trying all kinds of new parts that if I just flexed the wire it worked. I found a kit that has the connector so I am going to get that tonight and try it.

 

I found turning the switch from low to high and then back to low multiple times, banging the derby out of the cabin air filter, cleaning the actual motor itself, and also giving the motor a good bang were temporary fixes. Those worked for me for a while until this winter when I only had the high setting all winter, finally just ordered a resistor but then I was messing around with the harness (wiggling it and what not) while waiting for the new one to arrive and I got all settings back again, hoping it goes back to just high soon so I can justify buying this new resistor.

 

That’s what I had been doing and I think is what caused damage to the two wire connector at the fan.
I wish I would have just replaced the resistor and four wire harness when I first got them.
It might have prevented further damage.

You have the parts, I’d just replace sooner than later. We know the original parts are not correct already.

 

Followed your instructions and it’s working perfectly Thanks

 

Thank you all so much for your inputs. The I was able to fix this after buying a replacement kit on eBay for about $40. It took me about 40 minutes, 25 of which were spent fumbling around with the 2 mounting screws which are tough to access, especially with a bad back.

 

Those back screws where a pain with a bad back.

 

My blower would completely stop when I had the AC working on High Max. It would come back on if I operated the fan switch a couple times.

I replaced the resistor. I didn't have any burn marks on the plug, so I didn't replace that. The old resistor had brown marks in a couple spots, so I assume it was bad. So far I haven't had any further issues.



Replacement was easy, however took some patience to get screws back in. Could they have have placed the resistor any closer to the fire wall? Rear screw was a booger to get back in since you can't see what you are doing.

 

So I I’ve tthe last week I’ve had the issue where it only works on high, replaced the resistor worked for a couple days then it happened again. Looked at the plug and the 3rd spot is kinda brown but not as bad as others I’ve seen. My dad who’s a mechanic seems to think it’s the blower motor. How would one tell?

 

If it works on high, but not on the other speeds, it's the resistor and resistor connector. Replacing only the resistor is like having a grilled ribeye and no baked potato. Like spending $100 on a romantic dinner and only getting a goodnight kiss. Like buying 2 new tires when all 4 are bald.

 

Bang the bottom of the blower motor with ur hand or tap with a rubber mallet a few times If the blower motor starts to work, then replace the blower motor if not then it could be bad wire connections.

 

Seconded. In my 2013 the plug had no burn marks but the resistor did, as @brianscha4 has pictured. I replaced my resistor with this $24 one from Amazon (

Genuine Toyota 87138-04052 Blower Motor Resistor

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G6FDT7E). This is not a ten minute job thanks to the location. OP's 10 minute expectation turned into an hour twisting and turning trying to remove and replace the two screws and keep the back screw from falling behind the carpet. Also, I used a 7/32" socket.

You can see the burn marks on both sides of the resistor.

 

I had the same problem where AC would only work on High. I came out to my truck and removed the plug from the resistor and cleaned it off and then plugged it back in. Everything works now lol. At least I’ll know what to do if it craps out again.