Hi all!

We have a 96 Stratus that started having a problem with the A/C about a month ago...it would only work on high. After reviewing some old posts on this board, we changed out the resistor since that seemed to be the problem everyone else was having. It worked great for about a half an hour...had all speeds of A/C. Noticed an odd kinda metallic smell and it quit again. Tried all blower speeds and it now only works on second (low but not lowest) speed. Which is not enough for a Florida afternoon, even at this time of the year. [:@]

So, do you think it is a bad blower causing the resistor to blow or could it be something else. I really don't want to try a new resistor until I can figure out what the problem is. (Got this one at NAPA...cost $23. Gets expensive fast at this rate.) [:-]

Thanks for your help!
Legacy
2007 Dakota SLT QC
1996 Stratus 4dr

 

new blower motor

 

Yea, the blower motor is probably bad (or there's something restricting its movement) that's causing an abnormal amount of current to flow through the resistors and heat them up until they open.

 

Alright...back up to NAPA. Thanks!

 

If the 1996 has the same system as my 2002, I suggest you replace theold resistorby thenew credit card shaped unit, which is more expensive, but also much better.I had the same issue in my Stratus 2002 and had it fixed more than one year ago. The blower has been working OK (that is, it runs on all speeds) since then. Look for it at any Chrysler dealer.

 

Thanks for your replies and help everyone! Just thought I'd let you know, I changed the blower motor and everything works fine now. Just for kicks, I put in the resistor that I had just changed out 2 weeks ago to see if it would work. Got lucky and didn't have to buy another resistor. Thanks again!

 

Ahhh, just what Chrysler wants you to do - they always get it right....the second time. Sort of like Microsoft and Windows 98, then 98SE for $20 more.

I personally won't give Chrysler the pleasure of getting any more of my money than is necessary - I will repair my resistor box until I can't anymore. By then, it'll be time to junk the car anyway!

 

Hell yeah if it works on high, thats great for this minnesota deep freeze! It stays on high!

 

Can someone tell me where exactly this resistor is located? My 2002 Stratus blower only works on high. Does this resistor produce smoke when it fails? I had smoke coming from the right front underhood area then the blower would only work on high.

thanks.....Rich

 

You have to take the blower motor cover off under the right side dash, and theres some wires under there.... Not sure what the size the screws are, but theres 2 of em, ya take the wire clips out, unscrew it, and it should just about fall off. Backwards for install. It will smell once you put the new one in it for a minute or 2 till the **** burns off the resistor coils....