I need some help with my 2001 Dodge Dakota. It runs great and rides great. But living in the north east makes intermittent heat a real problem. The Blower Motor Resistor pack went. I replaced it and noticed that there must be a lot of current being drawn through the connector because it had obviously been heated and melted a little. Once I replaced the Resistor pack the connection between the connector and resistor pack became intermittent. I went to replace the connector and was told by Dodge that the part is discontinued. I bought one online and it is not the right one. Napa has a kit to fix it but it is $75 FOR THE CONNECTOR!!! I don't want to go to a junk yard as I will probably get one in the same shape as mine. Does anyone know if there is a replacement Resistor pack that has a connector that is not discontinued that would work as a replacement and then I could replace both? I Emailed Dodge and they want me to buy a bunch of service manuals to figure out if there is one. I thought the dealer would be able to do that pretty easily. Any help would be greatly appreciated. My wife wants me to get rid of the truck because it is so old, if I cannot get this fixed I may have to agree with her.

 

If the connector is melted lke that the only thing that can cause it is either the fan itself is drawing too much current or there is a problem with the fan switch on the AC-Heater control panel on the dash. The switch is probably OK, since all it does is control ground going to the blower motor resistor. The Haynes Book has the directions for checking the fan control switch with a volt meter. You can also use a clamp style ammeter to check the current draw of the fan itself, should be between 13 to a maximum of maybe 25 amps with the fan on high speed.

In this case it may be that the fan is bad. If so, you will need to replace the blower motor wire harness plug and the fan itself. You might also want to contact the parts store where you bought the new resistor pack and see if they would warranty exchange it.

Maybe check a local you-pull-it junk yard and cut a good harness connector out of a wrecked Dakota, or a Durango or Ram if the plugs match up the same. As long as the new-used connector plug is not burned or melted, it should be fine. You need to find out why the connector melted though before replacing any more parts. I would bet you have a bad blower fan motor, it draws too much current and smokes the resistor connector. It is a common problem in Dakota's. Other models too I guess.

And you don't need to buy any service manuals from Dodge either. Up in the FAQ sticky topics at the top of the 2nd Gen Dakota page there is a post where you can download a factory Dakota Service Manual for free. There is also a recent link to the Chilton Guides there too. From what I have read here, it takes a while to find the right link and find one that works, some do, some don't. The manual is supposed to be in the list of links somewhere.

Jimmy

 

Jimmy:
Thanks for the ideas. I don't have any problems with the motor when it is running so I don't think it is the motor but I will take those measurements before I replace anything else. The resistor pack was burnt out before as the blower motor didn't work at all and before that only worked on one speed before it died completely. I was hoping to find a replacement resistor pack that would fit in the same spot but had a connector that was not discontinued and I would replace them both. The connector is not completely melted but the metal contacts have sunk into the plastic so it doesn't make good contact. If I wiggle the connector the motor comes on and will stay on until I turn the truck off and it cools down. Thanks again for the ideas.

 

Since when is a 01 "so old"? If it was a 81 then yes "so old" might be the right term. Honestly I wont buy a new vehicle. To many sensors and so much more computer crap to go wrong. Your blower motor could have a short in it causing it to pull a lot of amps there for melting your wire/connector. I dont know where the fan switch is grounded but you could try adding another good ground to it and see if that helps it out.

 

There are 7 Daks in a yard near me...let me know if you want thier number...I might be going over this week or next....

 

I have had the same problem. I replaced the resistor twice. The second time the connector was melted. I went to our local yard and found that all eight of the Dakotas and Durangos had the wire harness cut at the blower motor resistor. I did manage to apply some oil to the motor and the current draw has decreased to the point where the resistor doesn't blow and the wiring doesn't melt. Because the connector was damaged, I have had to wiggle it a lot to keep the motor going. The cabin gets cold quickly at -13.
I appreciate what you have done. In desperation I was going to go to the dealer to buy a connector.
But now, thanks to you letting me know that hey have one, I am going to NAPA and buy the connector.

 

OK...I have the problem fixed now. Here are my exploits. I called various dealers and all told me that there was a connector fix for this for $77!!! Since Napa's was $75 and with my AAA card discount it brought it down to $67. DO NOT BUY THIS PART!!! I brought it out to my truck and it did not fit. I brought is back in and they assured me that that was the part and insinuated that the resistor block may not be the correct one. I assured them that I have owned the truck since it was new and have on recently changed the resistor block and the original connector fit. I had an idea and asked them for a resistor pack. They brought it out and I matched the two up and said SEE IT DON'T FIT!!! They gave me my money back. No junkyards has 2001 Dakotas so I had to get creative. Remove the resistor pack and separate it from the connector. Look into the connector and you will see that they are blade type not pin types. Take a pair of needle nose pliers and CAREFULLY make a small twist in the blade. Get it so that it does not go easily into the connector. Take channel locks and with the 'C' side of the jaws toward the resistor pack, place it right next to where the fingers of the pack go through the flange. If you just grab the flange you will break it. Now squeeze the connector together. Don't force it just enough pressure to push it together. Go to the otherside and do the same thing. Once connected you can try it out but turning on the blower and go through the speeds REALLY QUICK!!! and shut it back off. It will get really hot if you take too long and eventually burn up. Install the resistor pack back into the dash and you are done. No more intermittent fan!! I want to thank everyone for tips and tricks to fix this and unfortunately my time here in the forum is limited! I have decided that the time it is taking me to keep this truck is just not worth it. I will be trading it in this month on something newer but it won't be a Dodge. After numerous news articles on Dodge plant workers doing drugs and drinking at lunch and after the news people caught them they went back a year later and nothing had been done and they were still doing it!! Thanks again for all the help through the years!

 

Blame the Government for all our car problems they try to remove all cars older than 12 they say it keeps older cars with not so good a smog controls off the street they want everyone to buy a new car every 3 or 4 years.

Most car companies have used this to stop making parts for older cars in the 12 old range they just don’t make parts for them anymore.

My 98 Dakota parts are shrinking fast you can’t get some parts at all can’t get them. That’s why I have been replacing what I can before they stop the parts completely.

We will be forced to drive electric cars only in the future just watch its coming you bet.

Comming to a state near you soon.