Heater Blower Problem part 2

georgieo101

11-03-2015 03:19 PM

---

Hello, new here but had a question regarding this topic and was hoping one of you knowledgeable guys and gals could help me please?

Car: 1998 Forester L (I assume it utilizes the same tech)

Problem: Fan only blows on "4". I can't move the adjuster knob out of "4". I am able to wiggle it to turn it completely off, or on full blast, it just doesn't move from the 4 position if that makes sense?

I am wondering if this is the resistor or something more menacing? Sounds like if the resistor is out, the fan only works on 4, but the knob is able to slide to any position (1-4), that is why I am confused. Any input helps, thanks!

Delux2769

11-03-2015 04:45 PM

---

The little ring and pinion gears is probably stripped or a twig has gotten stuck (it's covered in thick grease from the factory).

Take off your front dash piece and you will be able to get that section out and look at it... I had to go through that with my '02 WRX earlier this year.

georgieo101

11-03-2015 06:58 PM

---

[quote=Delux2769;43924944]The little ring and pinion gears is probably stripped or a twig has gotten stuck (it's covered in thick grease from the factory).

Take off your front dash piece and you will be able to get that section out and look at it... I had to go through that with my '02 WRX earlier this year.[/quote]

Thanks for the reply! When you say remove "front dash piece" do you mean dash? or plastic surrounding climate control and radio?

And when you say get that section out and look at it, are you referring to the climate control unit itself?

Just want to clarify before my newbie self starts ripping thing apart.

Thanks again!

Delux2769

11-03-2015 07:03 PM

---

For me, I had to take off the center dash surrounding the radio and hvac knobs. Then it was 2 screws, and up came the hvac thingy that the knobs were attached to.

PS. Never a better time to tear stuff apart than today ;)

georgieo101

11-03-2015 07:27 PM

---

Ahhh... I have slider knobs, not turn..y knobs (if that made any sense) so perhaps your advice may not apply to me :(

[quote=Delux2769;43925342]PS. Never a better time to tear stuff apart than today ;)[/quote]

So true! Wish it wasn't so dark when I get off work.

cvhjh

11-04-2015 08:11 AM

---

You can test it with an ohmeter, but Jay is right. If you are having those symptoms the resistor is bad. [img]http://computerstalk.com/red/images/45.gif[/img]

b70dub

11-17-2015 10:17 AM

---

I repaired my power transistor for a total off about $5. Mine also had a blown thermal cut-out ("fuse"). My original cout-out was rated for 5A, 250V (I had to remove some heat shrink that was covering it in order to see the ratings). I found equivalent thermal cut-outs online (5 for about $3) and I also picked up some thermal paste for a few bucks. The fix was easy and I don't lose any sleep a night over worrying if my car will catch on fire. It just requires a high power soldering iron to remove the components (the heat sink sucks the heat away from the solder joint). Just make sure that the ones you order are an equivalent replacement for what was originally there and it should work as good as the original.