BLOWER MOTOR
DESCRIPTION
The blower motor and blower wheel are located in
the passenger side end of the HVAC housing, below
the glove box module. The blower motor controls the
velocity of the air flowing through the HVAC housing
by spinning a squirrel cage-type blower wheel within
the housing at the selected speed. The blower motor
and blower wheel can be serviced from the passenger
compartment side of the housing.
OPERATION
The blower motor will only operate when the igni-
tion switch is in the On position, and the a/c heater
mode control switch is in any position, except off. The
blower motor circuit is protected by a fuse in the
junction block. On models with the standard manual
temperature control system, the blower motor speed
is controlled by regulating the battery feed through
the blower motor switch and the blower motor resis-
tor. On models with the optional Automatic Zone
Control (AZC) system, the blower motor speed is con-
trolled by using Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). The
blower motor controller adjusts the battery feed volt-
age to the blower motor, based upon an input from
the blower motor switch, through the AZC control
module. Pulse width modulation of blower power
allows the blower to operate at any speed from sta-
tionary, to full speed.
The blower motor and blower motor wheel cannot
be repaired, and if faulty or damaged, they must be
replaced. The blower motor and blower wheel are
each serviced separately.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - BLOWER MOTOR
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENTAL
AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
For circuit descriptions and diagrams, refer to the
appropriate wiring information. Possible causes of an
inoperative blower motor include:
²Faulty fuse²Faulty blower motor circuit wiring or wire har-
ness connections
²Faulty blower motor resistor (if the vehicle is so
equipped)
²Faulty blower motor controller (if the vehicle is
so equipped)
²Faulty blower motor switch
²Faulty a/c heater mode control switch
²Faulty blower motor.
Possible causes of the blower motor not operating
in all speeds include:
²Faulty fuse
²Faulty blower motor switch
²Faulty blower motor resistor (if the vehicle is so
equipped)
²Faulty blower motor controller (if the vehicle is
so equipped)
²Faulty AZC module (if the vehicle is so
equipped)
²Faulty blower motor circuit wiring or wire har-
ness connections.
VIBRATION
Possible causes of blower motor vibration include:
²Improper blower motor mounting
²Improper blower wheel mounting
²Blower wheel out of balance or bent
²Blower motor faulty.
NOISE
To verify that the blower is the source of the noise,
unplug the blower motor wire harness connector and
operate the HVAC system. If the noise goes away,
possible causes include:
²Foreign material in the HVAC housing
²Improper blower motor mounting
²Improper blower wheel mounting
²Blower motor faulty.
REMOVAL
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENTAL
AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
WJDISTRIBUTION 24 - 37
HEATER CORE
DESCRIPTION
The heater core is located in the HVAC housing,
under the instrument panel. It is a heat exchanger
made of rows of tubes and fins.
OPERATION
Engine coolant is circulated through heater hoses
to the heater core at all times. As the coolant flows
through the heater core, heat removed from the
engine is transferred to the heater core fins and
tubes. Air directed through the heater core picks up
the heat from the heater core fins. The temperature
control door allows control of the heater output air
temperature by controlling how much of the air flow-
ing through the HVAC housing is directed through
the heater core. The blower motor speed controls the
volume of air flowing through the HVAC housing.
The heater core cannot be repaired and, if faulty or
damaged, it must be replaced. Refer to Cooling for
more information on the engine cooling system, the
engine coolant and the heater hoses.
REMOVAL
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENTAL
AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
WARNING: REVIEW THE WARNINGS AND CAU-
TIONS IN THE FRONT OF THIS SECTION BEFORE
PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING OPERATION.
(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING - WARNING) (Refer to 24 - HEATING &
AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - CAUTION)
(1) Remove the HVAC housing from the vehicle.
(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
DISTRIBUTION/HVAC HOUSING - REMOVAL)
(2) Remove the foam gasket surrounding the core
tubes.
NOTE: Notice the orientation of the irregularly
shaped gasket on the tubes. The gasket must be
placed correctly to ensure proper sealing against
the body during reinstallation.(3)
Remove the screws and retainers that secure the
heater core and tubes to the HVAC housing (Fig. 12).
(4) Remove the mode door actuator if necessary,
for clearance to remove the core.
(5) Lift the heater core straight up and out of the
HVAC housing (Fig. 13).
(6) When replacing individual tubes, loosen and
remove the round tube-to-core clamp, and pull tube
from core.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: REVIEW THE WARNINGS AND CAU-
TIONS IN THE FRONT OF THIS SECTION BEFORE
PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING OPERATION.
(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING - WARNING) (Refer to 24 - HEATING &
AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - CAUTION)
Any kinks or sharp bends in the refrigerant plumb-
ing will reduce the capacity of the entire air condi-
tioning system. Kinks and sharp bends reduce the
flow of refrigerant in the system. A good rule for the
flexible hose refrigerant lines is to keep the radius of
all bends at least ten times the diameter of the hose.
In addition, the flexible hose refrigerant lines should
be routed so they are at least 80 millimeters (3
inches) from the exhaust manifold.
High pressures are produced in the refrigerant sys-
tem when the air conditioning compressor is operat-
ing. Extreme care must be exercised to make sure
that each of the refrigerant system connections is
Fig. 12 HEATER CORE, TUBES, AND RETAINERS
1 - TUBE-TO-CORE CLAMPS
2 - GROUND STRAP
3 - HVAC HOUSING
4 - TUBE RETAINERS AND SCREWS
5 - HEATER CORE
WJPLUMBING 24 - 71
