Before I spend $50 on a new resistor, I want to make sure this is the solution to the problem.

My heater and air only work on one setting: high. If I move the power slider anywhere in between, all I get is a squeal. The squeal sounds just like jim carey: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKAyhLtiKEA I'd get an actual video of the sound in the truck, but why bother? This sounds just like it!

After doing some research 6 months back I landed on the conclusion it may be the blower motor resistor. Could this be it? Or could it be the blower motor itself, or even the power adjuster?

 

I'd lean towards the blower motor. If the resistor were bad, the blower wouldn't get any power at all so wouldn't make any noise.

 

I would tend to agree, but only based on the sounds the blower motor is making.

There are 3 coiled wires in the resistor. Often the two smallest break, leaving only the largest wire, hence the highest setting. The blower would still work even if the resistor was bad. That part is one of the most requested here at Nix99, but we always tell customers to go new.

If the blower is making high pitched squealing noises, most likely a bearing has failed or the brushes are complete garbage. Easiest way to test this is hook power directly to it. This bypasses the resistor, and will tell you if the blower is the problem. Having a bad resistor will not cause a blower motor to make noise. It will just cause it to run only on high speed.

 

It does only run at the high speed. It doesnt make this noise while it's running (high speed). It only makes this noise when anywhere between "off" and high speed. The fan doesn't blow any air, it just makes this noise until it hits the highest setting, then the fan kicks in and the squealing stops.

 

High speed is allowing full voltage to flow to the blower motor.

The blower resistor is ONE screw, with 4 wires going to the plug. Just pull the plug, undo the screw, and pull it out. If ANY of the coiled wires are broken, replace it. This is a really really easy fix, and it only takes a few mins to correct the problem.

 

I thought there were 2 screws on it

I dunno, it's been a while; that was the first part I ever replaced on my 91 after recharging the AC 2 days after I got the truck

BTW, that's same typical symptom I had; no air accept for on high speed

 

Wow. I actually thought the entire dash had to be removed. I'll go check on it later. I'm still in the middle of another project

 

oh no, it's just a screw or two up under the passenger side of the dash

you'll see a group of wires running up with a plug on the end, with, IIRC, 2 screws, one on either side of the plug


fer a little more help:



and...

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t62289.html

^this is in the Camry section, but it's pretty much the same process

 

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Blower.shtml
resistor:

 

ah, but this is on an 85 2nd gen Abe, according to his sig, he's got an 89 3rd gen

 

Doh!!!

 

2nd and 3rd gen trucks are basically the same thing. One screw, same config

 

I hate to do this to a staff member and all, but I just snapped this pic on my 91 3rd gen... just now... it's less than 3 minutes old...



maybe it's just me, but I see 2 screws

btw, factory replacement right from the Toyota dealership


now, take note, this IS WITH AC; I guess the setup could MAYBE, POSSIBLY be different on a setup without AC... but I doubt it...

 

you just went and added that screw! I KNOW IT

Ok, so i forgot that there were 2 screws. But it still has 3 coiled wires inside of it.

 

haha, no hard feelings man



SuperBleeder for mod!

 

But what about a 4 speed fan (like mine)... should have 4 coiled wires (resistors), no?
... or would the 3 speed have 2 and the 4 speed have 3?

 

4 speed fans have 3 coiled wires, 3 speed fans have 2.

If you check 4Crawlers website, he confirms this.

The new resistor they gave him when he replaced his was technically incorrect, it should have had only 2 coils for 3 speeds, since his fan switch doesn't have 2 "medium" settings.

 

4 speed would be 3 variable speeds controlled my the resistance, and one full blast speed using a full 12 volts with no resister, therefor no coil for that speed

at the same rate, 3 speed would be 2 variable speeds controlled my the resistance, and one full blast speed using a full 12 volts with no resister

 

So, basically, what you are saying is that I am right?

 

this time, yes

mine is a 4 speed, and has 3 coils