Sunman

I have a 1999 Cherokee Ltd. The AC/Heater fan motor now only blows on the top speed and it sounds like there is something in the squirrel cage. I have disassembled most of the dash to get to the fan motor but it looks like I need to remove the passenger air bag to get to the motor. If I disconnect the battery is it safe to remove the air bag? I don't want it going off in my face. Can anyone give me some guidance on replacing the motor? Any diagrams available? Thanks for your help.

Sunman

4.3L XJ

The only configuration I am aware of is the motor is accessed from the engine compartment. Three bolts and unplug it and it comes out. As far as the speeds go, there is a ballast on the HVAC housing that acts as a resistor depending on what wires give it power. Usually when it goes, you only have high speed

Sunman

Thanks. I see now where the motor is removed from the engine compartment but the dryer can for the AC system is right in front of the motor! Looks like I would have to evacuate the AC Freon to remove the dryer canister before I could have enough clearance to get the motor out. The ballast you mentioned, is it in the engine compartment or inside the car under the dash somewhere?

Thanks, Sunman

boxburn

The ballast resistor is found screwed into the blower motor housing at the bottom. There is a connector going straight to it then 2 screws to hold it in.

jordan96xj

Before tearing into your dash you should google (or search this site for):
jeep cherokee blower motor
jeep cherokee blower motor resistor

There are videos and pages for both.

It isn't a "ballast resistor" (that is something else). It's just a blower motor resistor.

boxburn

I must have had ballast in my head, they are indeed something else. My bad, it is just a blower motor resistor.

4.3L XJ

Should be some rubber lines there on that system since they are not all hard lines. You should be able to remove the mounting bolts and move the accumulator aside

aa7kn

Your fan speed is determined by the speed switch which selects which resister to put in the power line of the fan, the lower the speed selector, the higher the resister is in line. Only on high speed does it bypass the resister pack and draws straight 12 volts from the electrical sorse to make the fan blow hard. Sounds like you need a new resister pack.