hello, I need to replace an electrical blower fan switch on an old car. I cant find the same one as the car is old. the switch is a off, 1st speed, 2nd speed 3rd speed, high speed, sliding handle type switch. its been going out for years and finally just wont work. i know the blower fan still works, as the fan switch when i leave it on sometimes comes on and blows, but often not the right speed. or it doesnt come on and all. ive been told it could be other things, but ive a feeling it is the switch, as ive watched it going out for 2 years now or so. i dont care if i only have a new switch with off and on, and hook it up to the high speed contact. i'll find a way to mount it. the existing switch is fed by wires that are part of a plug. once i figure out which ones need to hook up with one another for speeds or just the high speeds, do i then cut the wires, be rid of the plug and wire to the new switch. it would be nice to have the multiple speeds too, but if i cant, i can live with that.
Thank you, girard hall

Stratmando

simplest would be single pole double throw, maintained with center off.
That would allow 2 speeds and off. rotary switch may be more difficult to locate.
Power goes to center, and you pick the 2 speeds you want.

girard

stratmando, would i need concern myself with resistors on the lower speed, well in fact on the higher speed too? Or are they built in to the switch? Also, how will i know its a switch for 12 volt system, and is the amperage it will take safely a concern of mine?
Obviously i'm learning, thank you.........girard

Stratmando

If you get the power from old switch, it is protected.
Sounds like individual wires to control speed. Insulate unused wires.
How many wires on switch?
The resistors may be at blower motor.

girard

strat, when i look at the back of the switch and consult my manual for this model car, i find the back of the switch has a plug coming into it. for various speeds and off and high, we find a continuity diagram showing which places in the plug should have continuity for each speed. obviously i could just use say one of the lower speeds and high. do i just clip the wires, put the ones in the new switch for a speed and also connect it to the other position shown for continuities sake. all of the speeds connect to a certian two postions, but the various speeds connect to other spots in the diagram too. I presume diff. spots have diff numbers of resistors.

Stratmando

You could put crimp on, push on terminals, with the insulating outer covering(No metal exposed). Then if you find slow is too slow, just unplug and plug in wire of desired speed.
Most Switches from auto parts, will handle a blower.
Your drawing, The continuity connections only connect hot to 1 wire at a time?

girard

hello strat, ok, ive found the exact switch i needed.(cost$67 dollars) and that wasn't the prob.!!!ok then i located(finally)the blower resistor. it is a part as you probably are aware that has several springs of different sizes on it. the part was all black, charred, and broken in two on one of the springs. ive been told that this part is about 30 dollars. im willing to pay for it as ive went this far. the beginning problem really anyway was locating the darn switch.I found this resistor mounted as you suggested it might be in the covering of the blower motor with it's springs in the stream of air for cooling i understand.
Now, since i've gone this far, i want to throw in a blower relay, and ive seen some drawings or schematics online of it, but i cant seem to locate it. it appears to be on the upper right side of the heater housing/casing but as i look i dont see anything or it doesnt seem to be on the outside, but then again I didn't see the blower resistor at first either. can you be of any help on locating this relay, the car is a 92 toyota corolla and the heater blower motor assembly is behing the glove box on passenger side. im learning a lot and youve shed some good light, can you again help with the relay location???thanks

Stratmando

I would look in the phone book, your area,"salvage yards", "Junk yards" you can probably find reasonable replacement.
Do you need blower motor relay?
Would be under hood with fuses and relays.

girard

no I have found the blower relay at the dealer. My problem is now the location on the car of the blower motor relay? what i need to know is it appears to be located under the glove or behind the glove boxup on the right side of the blower motor housing. i found the blower motor resistor over at the bottom on the left. I have illustrations indicating it appears to be under there somewhere also, but for the life of me i cant find a relay for it in that area. so you do t hink, in spite of what the illustrations indicate that it is under the h ood on one of the several fuse blocks??youve been a lot oh help on t his and i appreciate it. thanks

Stratmando

I would follow the wires physically from blower, or from switch. Tone generator and inductive amp would be a great help. have found the pair for $40-$50, on auction site.
If I can help, write back, let me know how you did. Take Care.