1996 xj hvac controller
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 52
Likes: 6
From: Southern Oregon Valley
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 LTR
Has anyone ever had any luck with taking apart the hvac controller (84 to 96 type) to clean the contacts to restore power to the blower switch?
CF Veteran




Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 267
From: Littleton, CO
Year: '96
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 HO
Blower switch as in the 4 position rotary **** that controls the flow of air into the cabin? Low, med-lo, med-hi, and Hi?
Have you taken the panel out to look at the back of the switch? They are notorious for melting and leaving you with only 1 or 2 blower control settings. Also the resistor under the passenger dash near the blower box will keep your blower from working correctly.
The switch is $15 from what I saw. Sounds worth it to me to buy a new one.
Have you taken the panel out to look at the back of the switch? They are notorious for melting and leaving you with only 1 or 2 blower control settings. Also the resistor under the passenger dash near the blower box will keep your blower from working correctly.
The switch is $15 from what I saw. Sounds worth it to me to buy a new one.
CF Veteran



Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 580
From: SoCal
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Do you have no power to the blower or does it only work on high?
If only on High, it's most likely the blower resistor like RockyMtn96XJ says.
You can remove the panel (be careful with the vacuum lines) and spray some contact cleaner in it, or replace it. Check the connector for any scorch marks'
https://www.quadratec.com/p/crown-au...nd-sj-j-series
If only on High, it's most likely the blower resistor like RockyMtn96XJ says.
You can remove the panel (be careful with the vacuum lines) and spray some contact cleaner in it, or replace it. Check the connector for any scorch marks'
https://www.quadratec.com/p/crown-au...nd-sj-j-series
CF Veteran




Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 364
From: Eustis, Florida
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I also had a problem with the switch. Seems that the housing for the wires that plug into the switch had failed by melting. I replaced the switch with a new one, put thermal ends on the wires and attached them directly to the switch, and replaced the resistor by the blower. That was about 10 years ago and haven't had a problem since....hope this helps
I went the whole hog and bypassed the entire system, by placing 3 relays in the kick panel for the 3 lower speeds, on my '96
Otherwise the full current must run thru miles of wire and switches, including the ignition switch
Eventually your fan may want more startup current, or hot joints develop, I think the fuse is 25A but thats a lot running all that distance
The plastic insulator material on these age XJs is not the best either
now only milliamps flow in the factory harness, not Amps
I avoid setting 4 (max), as I did not relay it out
Otherwise the full current must run thru miles of wire and switches, including the ignition switch
Eventually your fan may want more startup current, or hot joints develop, I think the fuse is 25A but thats a lot running all that distance
The plastic insulator material on these age XJs is not the best either
now only milliamps flow in the factory harness, not Amps
I avoid setting 4 (max), as I did not relay it out
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 934
Likes: 282
From: PA
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I overdid it a bit and installed one of these instead of individual relays
https://www.holley.com/products/elec...parts/75643-HC
https://www.holley.com/products/elec...parts/75643-HC
Any solutions to the hvac selector killing power to the blower when you switch from say floor to vent or defrost? This whole system is a mess on both my 95 xjs. Would love to hear of any alternative fixes. I replaced controls only to have it fail again within a couple of years.
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