2003 blower will not shut off using the off button

[Allyn]

My Blower motor will not shut off using the off button. I sent the Climate Control Panel off for repair, came back and still has the same problem. I then purchased a used panel that was described as tested and working. I installed it today and still have the same problem. I then thought maybe it is just an issue with the blower motor control relay or the blower speed control and not the Climate Control Panel. Got a new blower motor control relay at Auto Zone but I cannot find where the relay is located to try this fix out.. Is there anyone out there who knows the location on the car where I will find this relay? Does anyone have any insight into this issue with the blower motor control they are willing to pass on that would help me fix my problem. Any help greatly appreciated!!

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[hemiguy]

Does this help?

Blower motor relay RH engine compartment

 

[Allyn]

Does this help?

Blower motor relay RH engine compartment
View attachment 31501

That certainly helped. I put my new relay in, but to no avail. the blower still comes on as soon as I start the car. I can adjust the fan speed, I can run the ac (good cold air) or I can turn it off. I can change the duct positions alright. I just cannot get the blower to not run when the ignition is on. Maybe it is still a Climate Control module problem??

 

[lizstafford]

My Blower motor will not shut off using the off button. I sent the Climate Control Panel off for repair, came back and still has the same problem. I then purchased a used panel that was described as tested and working. I installed it today and still have the same problem. I then thought maybe it is just an issue with the blower motor control relay or the blower speed control and not the Climate Control Panel. Got a new blower motor control relay at Auto Zone but I cannot find where the relay is located to try this fix out.. Is there anyone out there who knows the location on the car where I will find this relay? Does anyone have any insight into this issue with the blower motor control they are willing to pass on that would help me fix my problem. Any help greatly appreciated!!

I have a 2004 and have the same issue. I took it to the dealership and they quoted me over $2000 to repair! They have to take the whole dashboard apart to get to the part that needs to be fixed. I am just dealing with it. I turn the blower to the feet if I dont want it blowing in my face.

 

[JoseG]

According to the repair manual the instrument panel has to be removed.

 

[JoseG]

Another way.

 

[Allyn]

Very interesting work around. He didn't mention how he reattached the piece he removed though.

 

[JoseG]

When my time comes to do this and I hope it will be a while I'll try to leave the old one in place and relocate the new one in the plastic housing somewhere where there is air flow to cool it down.

 

[hemiguy]

Very interesting work around. He didn't mention how he reattached the piece he removed though.

I would guess he left it off.

 

[JoseG]

Another video, Lincoln LS

lincoln ls blower motor resistor replacement - Google Search

 

[Bill_W]

My Blower motor will not shut off using the off button. I sent the Climate Control Panel off for repair, came back and still has the same problem. I then purchased a used panel that was described as tested and working. I installed it today and still have the same problem. I then thought maybe it is just an issue with the blower motor control relay or the blower speed control and not the Climate Control Panel. Got a new blower motor control relay at Auto Zone but I cannot find where the relay is located to try this fix out.. Is there anyone out there who knows the location on the car where I will find this relay? Does anyone have any insight into this issue with the blower motor control they are willing to pass on that would help me fix my problem. Any help greatly appreciated!!

Hello Allyn,
Had the same or similar problem with 2003 T-bird. When any of the climate control modes was on, the fan was also on blowing on high. Could not adjust speed or turn it off using any climate control panel buttons or temperature settings. Had to shut the car off to get the fan to stop. So drove with the convertible top open so we could hear the radio. Then it got hot and we needed AC again.

The Chilton online manual for 2003 TBird shows the blower motor relay is relay #10 in the under hood, Auxiliary Junction Box.

I checked this relay while troubleshooting my car and the relay was functioning normally.

Next, I attempted to remove the blower motor speed control (resistor), but it was extremely difficult to access. Location is passenger side up under the dash behind the blower motor. I removed the blower motor and was able to see a connector. I think there is a bolt on the engine side firewall that would loosen up the heater plenum (terminology? the plastic box with the air intake and circulation door(s), etc.) enough to get to the resistor (would have needed a long socket to loosen it). Afraid to go further and break something, I punted this to our mechanic. It's been working normally since the replacement.

 

[Allyn]

Thanks for your contribution to this issue. Did you, by any chance, ask your mechanic if he was able to unscrew the bolt you mentioned and move the plenum out of the way enough to get access to the resistor and change it?

 

[Bill_W]

Thanks for your contribution to this issue. Did you, by any chance, ask your mechanic if he was able to unscrew the bolt you mentioned and move the plenum out of the way enough to get access to the resistor and change it?

Hi Allyn, Great question, especially after seeing the videos cutting the blower housing to get to the resistor. I'll give him a call and ask. Just had this repair last month, so I'm sure he'll remember. I'll post up when I have a response.

 

[Bill_W]

Thanks for your contribution to this issue. Did you, by any chance, ask your mechanic if he was able to unscrew the bolt you mentioned and move the plenum out of the way enough to get access to the resistor and change it?

Checked with my mechanic on their procedure. They seriously thought about cutting the blower housing. Recall the problem is that the whole AC/heater blower case "box" is up against the firewall.
First, under the dash on the (passenger) door side of the footwell wall they said there is a control module, not sure if BCM or ECM (I'm not looking at the manual) and a horizontal bracket that blocks access to the resistor. They removed this item.
He recalled three "studs" going through the firewall that hold the blower case in place. My earlier note mentioned one such bolt. It was necessary to loosen all three to be able to "pry" the blower case away from the firewall enough to slide out the resistor.
Finally, he mentioned that there were a couple of other connections or obstructions to remove (vents, wires, linkages, etc.) to be able to move the blower case enough. He didn't say if they removed the glove box and I forgot to ask.

 

[Allyn]

Checked with my mechanic on their procedure. They seriously thought about cutting the blower housing. Recall the problem is that the whole AC/heater blower case "box" is up against the firewall.
First, under the dash on the (passenger) door side of the footwell wall they said there is a control module, not sure if BCM or ECM (I'm not looking at the manual) and a horizontal bracket that blocks access to the resistor. They removed this item.
He recalled three "studs" going through the firewall that hold the blower case in place. My earlier note mentioned one such bolt. It was necessary to loosen all three to be able to "pry" the blower case away from the firewall enough to slide out the resistor.
Finally, he mentioned that there were a couple of other connections or obstructions to remove (vents, wires, linkages, etc.) to be able to move the blower case enough. He didn't say if they removed the glove box and I forgot to ask.

Great information,

 

[Allyn]

Great information Bill. I really appreciate getting it. Gives me hope that I can do the same thing. Would be easier I'm sure with the glove box out. I'll give it a go first day that this heat backs off a bit.

 

[Allyn]

In reply to Bill W,
The resistor is out!!! I've worked on getting to the resistor for 2 days. It seemed as if every operation was a struggle due to cramped access to the bolts & nuts that needed to be removed, but it is possible to do this job without removing the dash or cutting the plastic fan housing to get to the resistor. The 3 bolts to loosen the housing from the engine side of the firewall are a challenge. The center one is pretty easy. The one down near the PCM connections was harder and the third just about the center line of the engine was a bear to get at. Getting all the screws out of the fan housing where it needs to separate from the main housing was difficult due to not being able to actually see a couple of them but by feeling around, I eventually found them all. All but one thread in upward but one goes down at the rear of the housing. The glove box definitely should be removed. first. there are numerous things to remove in the engine compartment to get to everything. I could list them if anyone is interested. It will be a while before I know if the new resistor fixes my problems with the AC controls as all this stuff needs to go back together! It was 97 degrees today which didn't make this job any easier. I have a box type fan in the garage I move around to wherever I'm working, without which I don't think I could have done it.

 

[Bill_W]

Hi Allyn - Glad to hear that you got through that blower motor resistor change. That's a great win. Hope everything else goes back together smoothly and that you get some relief from the heat! That part is in an impossible location. I broke a tab that holds trim on the passenger bucket seat sliding in/out under that dash. It occurred to me a number of times how much easier it was fixing my 1964 Falcon - you could see the ground on either side of the engine (6cyl).

 

[Allyn]

I've completed the installation of the resistor, it wasn't easy by any means, but it is possible to do without cutting anything. All the heater/AC controls function as they should again. I didn't keep track, but I believe it took around 30 hours for me to do it, but I'm 78 years old and the temperature in my garage has been 85 to 90 degrees through out the job.

 

[JoseG]

I wonder if removing the passenger seat will make much easier?