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DIY Honda Accord Blower Motor Replacement

Resistor

Recently, my wife’s 1996 Honda Accord’s A/C stopped working. Well, not quite stopped working. It only worked on the highest setting. Since it was still blowing air through, but only had one speed, I was able to determine it was the blower motor resistor. For this job I recommend having a ratchet screwdriver set on hand. This may work for Honda Accords from 1994-1997. I’m not sure about other Honda models.

Accessing the Resistor
OK, to check the part, you’ll need to begin by letting the glove-box down. There is a screw on the right hand side that you can take out that will let the glove-box hang down. It is on the outside of the glove-box. There will also be stoppers on the left and right that you can remove from the inside. The left is attached to a plastic pressure clip that will slide into the glove-box. The right needs to be turned and pulled into the glove-box. You have the choice of letting the glove-box hang or propping it up on something to keep it from hanging. I put a box under it so it wouldn’t be flopping around. Once it is lowered you should be able to see the resistor.

Checking the Resistor
The resistor will be on the right hand side. It will have a group of wires connecting to the top of it. There will be a screw on each side. If you aren’t sure, check the pictures. You’ll need to use a socket screwdriver to remove the screws. Once you do, the resistor will come out easily. You can see if it is broken fairly quickly. There should be a thin metal strip that connects the top to the bottom. If it is not connected, your resistor needs replaced. Your local automotive store should have one or be able to order one fairly quickly. The Advanced Automotive just down the street got mine to me the next day. You can order them online as well, but I found the best deals came from calling around to local auto supply places.

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Replacing the Resistor
Once you have your replacement part, you’ll disconnect the wires from the resistor. They should easily come out as part of the large plastic connector. Connect the new resistor to the wires and screw it back into place. You can then start up the car and check to see if you have multiple fan speeds again. If you do, you can put the glove-box back together.

Final Thoughts
I hope that this helps. It does save a lot of money from having to take it to a mechanic. I’d say it’s a job you should be able to do in about thirty minutes. I know that my wife was happy that she could use her A/C again, and I was happy to save a decent chunk of change.