Dodge Caliber. Manual - part 1423

MOTOR-BLOWER

DESCRIPTION

The blower motor (1) is used to control the velocity of
air moving through the HVAC housing by spinning the
blower wheel (2) within the HVAC air inlet housing at
the selected speed.

The blower motor is a 12-volt, direct current (DC)
motor mounted within a plastic housing with an inte-
gral wire harness connector (3) and three mounting
tabs (4). The squirrel cage-type blower wheel is
secured to the blower motor shaft and is positioned
within the air inlet housing on the passenger side of
the HVAC housing.

OPERATION

The blower motor is used to control the velocity of air moving through the HVAC housing by spinning the blower
wheel within the HVAC air inlet housing at the selected speed.

The blower motor will operate whenever the ignition switch is in the Run position and the blower motor control is in
any position except Off. The blower motor receives battery current through the totally integrated power module
(TIPM) whenever the ignition switch is in the Run position.

Blower motor speed is controlled by regulating the ground path through or around the blower motor resistor and
through the blower motor control located within the A/C-heater control.

The blower motor can be accessed for service from underneath the instrument panel.

NOTE: The blower motor is supplied with a 12V feed from the TIPM, through the blower motor resistor,
whenever the ignition switch is in the RUN position. Due to an open circuit condition within the blower
motor control switch the TIPM is UNABLE to detect an OPEN circuit for the blower motor.

The blower motor control system is diagnosed using a scan tool (refer to 24 - HVAC Electrical Diagnostics for more
information).

The blower motor and blower wheel are factory balanced and cannot be adjusted or repaired. If faulty or damaged,
the blower motor and wheel must be replaced as an assembly.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

BLOWER MOTOR

WARNING: Disable the airbag system before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, or instrument
panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery (ground) cable, then wait
two minutes for the airbag system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service.
Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment and possible personal
injury or death.

DISTRIBUTION

24 - 109

To determine if an open condition exists within the blower motor circuit wiring, it is necessary to disconnect the
negative battery cable and check for continuity within the blower motor circuits using an ohmmeter. For circuit
descriptions and diagrams, refer to Air Conditioning/Heater in Group 8W - Wiring Diagrams.

OPERATION

Possible causes of the blower motor not operating include:

•

Faulty blower motor

•

Faulty blower motor circuit wiring or wire harness connectors

•

Faulty blower motor control

Possible causes of the blower motor not operating in one or more speeds include:

•

Faulty blower motor resistor

•

Faulty blower motor circuit wiring or wire harness connectors

•

Faulty blower motor control

VIBRATION

Possible causes of blower motor vibration include:

•

Improper blower motor mounting

•

Improper blower wheel mounting

•

Deformed blower wheel

•

Out of balance blower wheel due to foreign material in the wheel

•

Faulty blower motor

NOISE

To determine if the blower motor is the source of the noise, simply switch the blower motor from Off to On. To verify
that the blower motor is the source of the noise, unplug the blower motor wire harness connector and operate the
heating-A/C system. If the noise goes away, possible causes include:

•

Foreign material in the HVAC air inlet housing

•

Improper blower motor mounting

•

Improper blower wheel mounting

•

Faulty blower motor

REMOVAL

NOTE: The blower motor is located on the bottom of the passenger side of the HVAC housing. The blower
motor can be removed from the vehicle without having to remove the HVAC housing.

NOTE: LHD model shown. RHD model similar.

24 - 110

DISTRIBUTION

1. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.

2. If equipped, remove the silencer from below the

passenger side of the instrument panel (refer to 23
-

BODY/INSTRUMENT

PANEL/SILENCER-IN-

STRUMENT PANEL - REMOVAL).

3. From underneath the instrument panel, disengage

the connector lock and disconnect the instrument
panel wire harness connector (1) from the blower
motor (2).

4. Remove the three screws (3) that secure the

blower motor and the wire lead bracket (4) (if
equipped) to the bottom of the HVAC housing (5)
and remove the blower motor.

INSTALLATION

NOTE: LHD model shown. RHD model similar.

1. Position the blower motor (2) into the bottom of the

HVAC housing (5).

2. Install the three screws (3) that secure the blower

motor and the wire lead bracket (4) (if equipped) to
the HVAC housing. Tighten the screws to 1.2 N·m
(10 in. lbs.).

3. Connect the instrument panel wire harness connec-

tor (1) to the blower motor and engage the connec-
tor lock.

4. If equipped, install the silencer below the passen-

ger side of the instrument panel (refer to 23 -
BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/SILENCER-INSTRU-
MENT PANEL - INSTALLATION).

5. Reconnect the negative battery cable.

DISTRIBUTION

24 - 111

OUTLETS-AIR

DESCRIPTION

NOTE: LHD model shown. RHD model similar.

There is one defroster air outlet (2) located on the top
of the instrument panel (1). The airflow from the
defroster outlet is directed by fixed vanes in the outlet
and cannot be adjusted. The defroster air outlet is not
serviceable from the instrument panel defroster grille
(3)

(refer

BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/

GRILLE-DEFROSTER - REMOVAL).

There are two side window demister air outlets (4).
One located on each end of the instrument panel top
cover. The airflow from the side window demister air
outlets is directed by fixed vanes in the outlets and
cannot be adjusted. The side window demister air out-
lets are not serviceable from the instrument panel top
cover (refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/
COVER-INSTRUMENT PANEL TOP - REMOVAL).

There are four rectangular instrument panel air outlets
(5). One air outlet is located near each outboard end
of the instrument panel facing the rear of the vehicle
and two air outlets are located at the top of the instru-
ment panel center bezel. Each of the instrument panel air outlets contain movable vanes that can direct or shut off
the flow of the conditioned air leaving each of the instrument panel outlets. The driver and passenger side air instru-
ment panel air outlets can be serviced separately. The center outlets are only serviced with the center bezel (refer
to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/BEZEL-CENTER - REMOVAL).

A cooled beverage storage bin, located in the top of the glove box (6) is standard on vehicles equipped with A/C.
Vehicles so equipped have an outlet which, when opened with the A/C on, allows cooled air to flow into the bin.

REMOVAL

INSTRUMENT PANEL

NOTE: Driver side air outlet shown. Passenger side outlet similar.

NOTE: LHD model shown. RHD model similar.

1. Depending on the air outlet being serviced, remove

the instrument cluster bezel (refer to 23 - BODY/IN-
STRUMENT

PANEL/BEZEL-CLUSTER

REMOVAL) or the passenger side IP bezel (refer to
23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/BEZEL-IP PAS-
SENGER SIDE - REMOVAL).

NOTE: If the foam seal on the air outlet is
deformed or damaged, it must be replaced.

2. Remove the four screws (1) that secure the air out-

let (2) to the bezel (3) and remove the outlet.

24 - 112

DISTRIBUTION

Content .. 1421 1422 1423 1424 ..