Testing the blower motor control switch, on the 2001-2004 2.7 V6 equipped Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus, can easily be done without having to remove the AC Heater Control Panel.
It can be tested with a simple 12 Volt automotive test light. Yup, you don't need any expensive test equipment to find out if the blower control switch is bad or not.
Contents of this tutorial at a glance:
APPLIES TO: This tutorial applies to the following vehicles:
- 2001-2004 2.7L V6 Chrysler Sebring 4-door sedan.
- 2001-2004 2.7L V6 Chrysler Sebring Convertible.
- 2001-2004 2.7L V6 Dodge Stratus 4-door sedan.
The following tutorials may come in handy:
- Testing The Blower Motor Resistor (2001-2004 2.7L Chrysler Sebring And Dodge Stratus).
- How To Test The Blower Motor (2001-2006 2.7L Chrysler Sebring And Dodge Stratus).
NOTE: You can find the blower motor circuit diagram here: Blower Motor Circuit Diagram (2001-2004 2.7L Chrysler Sebring And Dodge Stratus).
Blower Motor Control Switch Basics
The blower motor control switch has 5 speed options:
- Speed 0 (OFF)
- Speed 1 (LO)
- Speed 2 (M1)
- Speed 3 (M2)
- Speed 4 (HI)
Placing the speed selector knob in speed 1 thru' 4 causes the current passing thru' the blower motor to decrease as it passes thru' the blower motor resistor.
To be a bit more specific this is what happens when you select a blower speed:
- When you select speed 1 (LO), the current is channeled through three resistor coils in the resistor block.
- When you select speed 2 (M1 -medium 1), the current is channeled through 2 resistor coils in the resistor block.
- When you select speed 3 (M2 -medium 2), the current is channeled through one resistor coil in the resistor block.
- When you select speed 4 (HI), the current bypasses all of the resistors of the blower resistor assembly.
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM: To get a better idea of these different circuits, take a look at the blower motor circuit diagram here: Blower Motor Circuit Diagram (2001-2004 2.7L Chrysler Sebring And Dodge Stratus).
TEST 1: Testing The Blower Switch Speed 1 (LO) Circuit
NOTE: In the photo above wires labeled 1 and 2 have heat damage (their insulation is partly melted). If you see this type of damage on your vehicle, you can conclude that the blower resistor assembly is bad and it and the connector should be replaced. You should also check the amperage draw of the blower motor.
We're gonna' start off by testing the speed 1 (LO) circuit inside the blower control switch.
And we can easily test this circuit (inside the blower control switch) by testing the TAN wire of the blower resistor's connector with a 12 Volt automotive test light.
In photo 1 of 2 the TAN wire is identified with the number 5.
The correct test result is for the 12 Volt test light should light up when testing the TAN wire.
If the 12 Volt test light does NOT light up, then you can conclude that the blower control switch is bad and needs to be replaced.
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM: Blower Motor Circuit Diagram (2001-2004 2.7L Chrysler Sebring And Dodge Stratus).
NOTE: Back-probe the blower resistor connector instead of probing the front of it. Back-probing, which is probing the rear of the connector where the wire enters the electrical connector, is the safest way of testing the terminal.
These are the test steps:
- 1
Disconnect the blower resistor from its electrical connector.
NOTE: This and all the other tests are done with the ignition key in its OFF position. - 2
Select blower motor speed 1 on the AC/Heater Control Panel.
- 3
Connect the 12 Volt test light's alligator clip to the positive (+) battery jump start terminal in the engine compartment.
The positive (+) jump start terminal is on the under-hood fuse box (see photo 2 of 2 above). - 4
Back probe the terminal that connects to the TAN wire of the resistor block's connector with the metallic point of your 12 Volt test light (see photo above).
NOTE: Avoid probing the front of the female terminal of the connector or you run the risk of damaging it with the tip of the 12 Volt test light. - 5
The 12 Volt test light should come on if the speed 1 (LO) circuit is OK.
Let's examine your test result:
CASE 1: The 12 Volt test light turned on. This is the correct test result and it tells you that the speed 1 (LO) circuit is OK within the blower motor control switch.
For the next test we're gonna' check the speed 2 (M1) circuit inside the blower motor control switch. For this test go to: TEST 2: Testing The Blower Speed 2 (M1) Circuit.
CASE 2: The 12 Volt test light DID NOT turn on. This lets you know that the speed 1 (LO) circuit is bad within the blower motor control switch. Replace the blower motor control switch.
