1996 blower motor won't spin
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 609
Likes: 26
From: Arizona
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
1996 blower motor won't spin
It's getting hot here in AZ and I recently had my a/c in for a tune up. Air blows nice and cold but stopped suddenly. I find that my blower motor has taken a turn for the worse with a strange noise. So I order a new one, remove the basket and put on new motor, plug it in and test it before I install it. It won't spin. So I replace my old one and it spins but not very well and makes the same noise. I return the new blower for another a the auto parts store only to find out that that one doesn't spin either. I am guessing it's a wiring issue. There are no frayed wires and everything is tight.
Also the block box just under the dash on the passengers side has been getting very hot, so hot that even at night it's almost like I have the heater on full blast. I tried adjusting the switches back and forth and that isn't helping. Doesn't the heater core and condenser unit sit in that box. I know they do on the 97+. Can the condenser get that hot that it's almost too hot to touch?
On a side note, I have replaced the radiator with a new one. I have flushed the system several times with Ironite Thoroflush a couple of times. It's always brown gunky water when flushed. Not sure if the system is clogged and I don't have a gauge only a dummy light so I don't know how hot the water is getting up to.
Also the block box just under the dash on the passengers side has been getting very hot, so hot that even at night it's almost like I have the heater on full blast. I tried adjusting the switches back and forth and that isn't helping. Doesn't the heater core and condenser unit sit in that box. I know they do on the 97+. Can the condenser get that hot that it's almost too hot to touch?
On a side note, I have replaced the radiator with a new one. I have flushed the system several times with Ironite Thoroflush a couple of times. It's always brown gunky water when flushed. Not sure if the system is clogged and I don't have a gauge only a dummy light so I don't know how hot the water is getting up to.
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 937
Likes: 291
From: Eustis, Florida
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
If the fan blows when switched to high, it is the blower motor resistor has failed. When the switch is on the highest setting it bypasses the resistor.
#5
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 609
Likes: 26
From: Arizona
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
So I got a MAP sensor in and a blower motor resistor in today and installed them. I haven't driven around long enough to not notice how hot is was getting. I kicked on the A/C and it almost killed my motor. It shakes really bad. I just had it rebuilt or more freon put into the system. I blows cold but only in park will it not kill the motor and it doesn't blow very high. It's on the high setting but it feels like its on the low setting. What would cause it to kill the motor and how come the blower motor doesn't kick out a higher velocity blow?
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 937
Likes: 291
From: Eustis, Florida
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Start by checking the wiring to the fan selector switch on the dash. The switch and/or wiring connector is know to fail and melt/burn. My Jeep had the connector melt. I did not replace the connector, I attached thermal connectors to each wire and replaced the switch with a new one. Make sure, if you do this, that you know which wire goes to which terminal on the switch. Make a drawing and take pictures for reference.
#7
The '96 Fan wiring is an electrical engineers nightmare, all current flows through all the wiring, switches, etc including the ignition switch,
eventually something turns to toast, usually caused by a dodgy fan drawing too much starting current (there is a fuse)
It could be burned anywhere
If it works properly on "full speed" you can do what I did and add a relay for each speed (other than full speed), problems solved
If it doesnt work properly on full speed, the problem is further back in the wiring or switches somewhere
the wiring around my resistor pack was melted, it needs to be in the air tunnel so it gets cooled by the airflow from the fan
eventually something turns to toast, usually caused by a dodgy fan drawing too much starting current (there is a fuse)
It could be burned anywhere
If it works properly on "full speed" you can do what I did and add a relay for each speed (other than full speed), problems solved
If it doesnt work properly on full speed, the problem is further back in the wiring or switches somewhere
the wiring around my resistor pack was melted, it needs to be in the air tunnel so it gets cooled by the airflow from the fan
Trending Topics
#8
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 609
Likes: 26
From: Arizona
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The '96 Fan wiring is an electrical engineers nightmare, all current flows through all the wiring, switches, etc including the ignition switch,
eventually something turns to toast, usually caused by a dodgy fan drawing too much starting current (there is a fuse)
It could be burned anywhere
If it works properly on "full speed" you can do what I did and add a relay for each speed (other than full speed), problems solved
If it doesnt work properly on full speed, the problem is further back in the wiring or switches somewhere
the wiring around my resistor pack was melted, it needs to be in the air tunnel so it gets cooled by the airflow from the fan
eventually something turns to toast, usually caused by a dodgy fan drawing too much starting current (there is a fuse)
It could be burned anywhere
If it works properly on "full speed" you can do what I did and add a relay for each speed (other than full speed), problems solved
If it doesnt work properly on full speed, the problem is further back in the wiring or switches somewhere
the wiring around my resistor pack was melted, it needs to be in the air tunnel so it gets cooled by the airflow from the fan
#9
I heard the 96 was a bastard year but I didn't think it would lead to this. Other than pulling the dash apart, how else would I check for faulty wiring? I have a draw somewhere as it eventually kills my battery, so I know I need to figure that out. But I believe this is something totally different. My resistor wiring was intact and not frayed or broken. Before my a/c fix there wasn't any issue with the blower motor sending out the amount of air it should. Even though it was warm, it was great in the cooler months. I have not tried turning on the heat full blast to see what happens with the motor. Also, when the a/c is on it's really loud and the jeep shakes. I am not a wiring guy but I guess I will have to figure this out somehow.
I dont understand why your whole Jeep shakes, unless the A/C compressor or clutch is seized, which you can check by observing under the bonnet with the system running
If the fan itself is noisy, it means the internal bearings or bushes are worn. You have changed fans so I doubt that is the issue (now)
An Auto-electrician should be able to give a likely diagnosis in a few minutes
I would proceed with a few diagnostic checks, and if you cant figure it out, take it to a pro, thats what they do for a living
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 937
Likes: 291
From: Eustis, Florida
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
The coincidence of the blower motor acting up after your a/c "rebuild" may not have anything to do with the other. First, besides adding more Freon, what was done to the a/c system to rebuild it? As member AWG stated, you may want to visually inspect that the compressor clutch is engaging when you turn on the a/c. Also adding to much Freon is bad for the compressor and the system overheats.
Your electrical problem probably starts behind the dash...specifically the fan speed control switch.
Don't be surprised if you find this.
Your electrical problem probably starts behind the dash...specifically the fan speed control switch.
Don't be surprised if you find this.
The following users liked this post:
cruiser54 (05-12-2022)
#11
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 609
Likes: 26
From: Arizona
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The coincidence of the blower motor acting up after your a/c "rebuild" may not have anything to do with the other. First, besides adding more Freon, what was done to the a/c system to rebuild it? As member AWG stated, you may want to visually inspect that the compressor clutch is engaging when you turn on the a/c. Also adding to much Freon is bad for the compressor and the system overheats.
Your electrical problem probably starts behind the dash...specifically the fan speed control switch.
Don't be surprised if you find this.
Your electrical problem probably starts behind the dash...specifically the fan speed control switch.
Don't be surprised if you find this.
As far as the motor dying from the compressor coming on. When it was at the shop, the full diagnostics were done on it and no leaks were found, refrigerant was added and the system runs fine. I don't believe they drove it or they possibly would have dealt with the issue I am having.
Last edited by xjallseasons; 05-12-2022 at 01:58 PM. Reason: wanted to add something else
#12
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 609
Likes: 26
From: Arizona
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
It was the same for at least 94-96, I dont know before that
I dont understand why your whole Jeep shakes, unless the A/C compressor or clutch is seized, which you can check by observing under the bonnet with the system running
If the fan itself is noisy, it means the internal bearings or bushes are worn. You have changed fans so I doubt that is the issue (now)
An Auto-electrician should be able to give a likely diagnosis in a few minutes
I would proceed with a few diagnostic checks, and if you cant figure it out, take it to a pro, thats what they do for a living
I dont understand why your whole Jeep shakes, unless the A/C compressor or clutch is seized, which you can check by observing under the bonnet with the system running
If the fan itself is noisy, it means the internal bearings or bushes are worn. You have changed fans so I doubt that is the issue (now)
An Auto-electrician should be able to give a likely diagnosis in a few minutes
I would proceed with a few diagnostic checks, and if you cant figure it out, take it to a pro, thats what they do for a living
#13
(imo) no part of the A/C & heater system can cause your Jeep to shake only when its moving
any fault finding, especially electrical, should be done systematically
I would still inspect the compressor and clutch for correct operation while the engine is idling (but parked)
As I said, I ran a (labelled) fused wire from the battery, through the firewall and placed 3 relays behind the kick panel to run each speed except 'Max" which is hard to access the wire, so I avoid running it on full
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 937
Likes: 291
From: Eustis, Florida
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
You may want to check your motor mounts......and transmission mount