89 XJ Blower Motor Diagnostics

1989 Jeep Cherokee XJ Pioneer Renix 4.6L I6 AW4 NP231 6" RE Lift 35"x12.5" STT Pros
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[@13foxtrot34]

Well I made it 5:11 into this video when after numerous times of checking the fuses, resistor,blower motor,ect...I discovered that my issue was one of the terminal connectors that hold the fuse was not making full contact and a quick adjustment with the meter probe and it's back up and functioning like new. Just wanted to throw that out there for anyone else loosing their minds trying to become a overnight KZbin electrician and track down faults. Thanks for the awesome video and help. 👍

[@swatscorner]

Great explanations! Very clear and easy to understand. Never knew how the resistor worked, about the vacuum storage tank purpose, and that the heating system was vacuum actuated. Thanks for all the info!!

[@danmonlux]

Thanks for the video of how a resistor works. I had high fan speed only, replaced the blower resistor and have all speeds now. Thanks again saved me alot of work.

[@sweetwaterLOGIC]

I just fixed my blower motor, it sounded like Chewbacca playing an ocarina. So much better now to have heat and no soundtrack.

[@jimmybaronio479]

I have the same problem but it only happens occasionally when its really cold and it makes laugh so hard everytime

[@jimmybaronio479]

I have the same problem but it only happens occasionally when its really cold and it makes laugh so hard everytime

[@markandes4143]

Good work Nick...now I know what to do on my 89 if I need to.

[@stevenharden803]

Nothing wrong with my jeep. I just love watching your video's.

[@tylervickers2519]

Great video as always. My cage was caught up as well, exact same issue. My lil bro is gonna be stoked to have heat this winter. He drove a few months without it last year 😂

[@mafno9524]

Awesome breakdown. Thanks for taking the time.

[@melaniebarber9924]

Good Information, thank you! Mine ended up being the control switch in the dash. They are infamous for melting. I bought a new plug and heater switch but the switch hasn't came yet. The dash wasn't too difficult to take apart. I hope it will fix it when I get it back together!

[@petek6522]

Fun video, i just went through checking everything on mine over the weekend, everything checked out with electrical , when i re connected the plug for the blower it started working again.... while i had the resistor and blower out i vacuumed as much as i could as i was using the lawn blower down through the defrost vents

[@CanadaBud23]

Surprised to see only a sticky motor. Usually the switch or connector melts. Lol I remember digging through yards for years finding only melted connectors and switches after I melted mine. I finally gave up on all that and changed to a stand alone circuit and relay then all that stuff stopped. I'm glad I'm past all those crappy high resistance connectors. I used to collect up the resister packs because they were handy for using on other motors.

[@mitchelfrench253]

Good idea to split the ground wire and make contact at a closer point to the blower motor itself. My 89 Laredo ground wire ran somewhere off to the front driver side. But make sure to connect the old ground to the new location. I

[@ravenwood1135]

Good job. No problem with my 90 xj yet.But my 99 wj lots of problems. After a lot of work found that someone had the wrong fan register.

[@chuckles1043]

Thanks for the easy follow video.found problem now it works. Thanks again for keeping it simple.

[@viteliohernandez]

Sweet vice controlled buzzer!

[@Wild.win.]

Thanks this info helped fix mine

[@keithfriesen3420]

Had a blower motor develop a poor connector in the motor itself and acted very similar to that but intermittently...very frustrating and a bitch to trace

[@gmdriverer]

Thnx dude my motor was seized. A few taps and I'm good to go.

[@michaeljestes4545]

Fucking worked like a charm literally same exact thing on my 1991 Jeep xj

[@jasongilbert6401]

I just bought a lifted 91 xj. Mine doesn’t do anything. Glad I found this video lol.

[@JosueMorales-xr5hu]

Back on the connector .. there’s a red wire that leads towards the fire wall .. what is that attached to ??

[@932511ajm]

you can remove the buzzer so it don't buzz with the key in the on position. it's down under the dash with all the fuses.

[@932511ajm]

At 4:31, the buzzer is the blue box on the left side of the fuse panel.

Ah, the glorious XJ electric system. Just yesterday I replaced the dimmer switch in mine (the one on the steering column) because I thought that would be the cause of not having short beams. Well, no. Upon failure and further inspection, I found a burned wire in the 10-pin connector behind the left headlight, and I could see at least 4in of burned wire...

[@NickInTimeFilms]

Gotta love corrosion toast. Hope it was an easy fix

It's still a no-fix. The male part of the connector is buried down there. I can barely see a couple inches of wire from the hole it comes out from. The female side of the loom should be easy enough, but I still don't know how much roasted cable is in there... I'll have to reach the sane part, solder a new green cable and probably do away with the whole connector and solder the wires direct. That or I'll look for a 6-pin water tight connector (only 6 wires in use in my model) and do it "proper".

[@NickInTimeFilms]

Sounds like its time for a relay harness! Save what left and call it a day

I actually have a relay mod done, that I had to redo recently when my clutch fan ate the old cables, haha. So that part is covered, but the 10-pin connector (C102?) and all those other cables are still there. Before this XJ arrived to me there's been so many people modding stuff it's like the friggin Millenium Falcon... but I'll figure it out. Maybe I could simplify it somehow.

[@serchmarc]

when looking your diagramm, seems the blower motor doesnt need vacuum to work,, the vacuum is just to open the flap.. blower should work just in run position

[@youngbodybag253]

Thank you so much!!!!!

[@ninjascout468]

Excellent 👍👍

[@alecon2249]

So, I recently got a new blower motor. No longer working, did exactly as shown and had power all the way to the motor. Thing is the damn thing is brand new, like. Can spin with pinky finger. Ran hard line from battery to fan just to double check and didn't turn on. Is it common to have new parts crap out so quick?

[@fwd_rebel5181]

I have weak voltage to my fan bower fuse box and no power to the fan blower as I checked the ground and it's good whay do I gotta do to fix this?

[@JustinSmith-ph1le]

Just replaced my blower motor, it sounded like a screaming banshee, now I have to replace the resistor, only working on high

[@leplattoutdoors]

I have the same problem but I don’t have power going to the blower motor. Fuse inside is good and has power. What’s the issue?

[@darrenjames3141]

So my heater will work in all settings except for defrost the fan just stopes but then you turn it back to heat fan kicks on works fine.then if you leave it on defrost for a few minutes it just randomly pops on. Wtf ....

[@andrewmacias4795]

I dont understand my fuse is getting power but it keep blowing and getting swollen... 😅.. i don't know where to look next .

[@trip-mproductions4903]

i have a no lights in the center dash, no clock,no cigarette lighter, and no radio problem. checked the fuses all are good. gonna be fun tracing this problem

[@NickInTimeFilms]

Oh boy. How is the ground under the headlight switch and the ground from engine the firewall?

[@maxhenrikson9996]

So if I only have high it would be the resistor

[@iosrecords54]

Mine was working and a mechanic try to do a quick fix and it worked after a month stopped working again I tried to take a look a the fuse box cuz I saw what he did I tried doing the same thing and worked but now stoped again and tried to do the same thing but this time didn’t work

[@x5Deadmeat5x]

I replaced my resistor because I only had high and within a couple weeks it burned out again. So I’m thinking the coms on the blower motor are worn out, increasing the resistance. TJ’s are common to roast the speed selection switch due to old blower motors.

[@NickInTimeFilms]

Hmm, very interesting, but it makes sense since both are balanced in resistance.

[@jamesrichburg9535]

Soooo long story short. I am working through a problem with my windows not rolling down. So i went through my fuses and notice my blower fuse was burnt out so I replaced my 25 fuse for the blower and and attempted to turn my ignition, the fuse blew again a some electrical wire smoke rolled up through my vents in my 91 Cherokee Laredo. I haven't gotten much further ....

[@bz710]

Hey Nick I have a question was hoping maybe you could help me out. I have a 1990 Jeep Cherokee Laredo recently crashed the front end and no longer have AC condenser . The body shop that fixed the front end Took out my AC condenser and now nothing but hot air is blown into the cab even with the AC off do you know what could be the problem the hot air comes out of the top of the dashboard where the defrost is at in the front windshield.

[@NickInTimeFilms]

Sounds like either they messed with the vacuum line that feeds the vents, located near the heater core, or the vacuum ball got messed up, located under the front passenger bumper. You should still get luke cold air if you move the slider to cold though, that's mechanical.

[@charlieswearingen500]

I'm an old duffer and in the old days, most blower motors had a place to add a few drops of oil and stop the screeching in a blower motor. Are today's new blower motors sealed or do they have an oil port to stop the screeching? Or, is the only way to repair a screeching, squawking blower motor total replacement??

[@NickInTimeFilms]

I don't specifically remember seeing an oil port, but you could probably pull the cooling boot and add a coating in there. Mine is acting up again so I may see if I can free it up that way.

[@mrfixit____3651]

I have an 89 xj like you and the fan only works on high. So if the switch bypasses all of the resisters in high I'm thinking the mid-high resister is open. Would you agree? PS just bought the R.E.M. From your web sight and can't wait to see how shitty my fuel mixture is among other things.

[@NickInTimeFilms]

Sounds like you're dead on! I'd take a peak at the connector too, but most likely resistor pack. And excellent, I'm sure you'll find lots!

[@ethanhall6037]

Will you make a video about fixing the vacuum problem? My jeep only blows out of the defroster and I would love to fix it.

[@NickInTimeFilms]

Check the vacuum lines near the heater core hoses, usually that black line is cracked or the vacuum ball isn't hooked up

[@daltonspeth4063]

@@NickInTimeFilms where is the vacuum ball?

[@NickInTimeFilms]

Mounted in the passenger side front bumper.

[@outlander7717]

i too have a 89 cherokee and i pulled that annoying buzzer out of my fuse box years ago.

I've never heard it. Some kind soul before me thought it was annoying :D

[@outlander7717]

@ ive had mine since 2001 and it only took me 8 or 9 years to get fed up with that cheesy buzzer running its face whenever the key was on and finally figure out where it lived.

[@NickInTimeFilms]

I don't mind it usual unless I'm filming. I don't care much for the seatbelt sensor, but it is nice when it complains that the headlights were left on.

[@TheBossFamilyvids]

What if it don't blow that hard?Could the blower be going out?The high setting on my 89 grand wagoneer blows like the med or low setting on my 89 xj.

[@NickInTimeFilms]

Hmm, well on high it bypasses the resistor pack, so it sounds like either a dieing motor, or a voltage drop from something. I've rarely seen the selector switch melt, probably due to corrosion so may be worth checking the plugs and Max voltage.

[@TheBossFamilyvids]

@@NickInTimeFilms thank you.

[@arkansasbackyardsmen2298]

Is it ok to have 14 volts at the blower motor plug?

[@NickInTimeFilms]

Yes, that's normal. You should have battery voltage at the blower. Alternator should be 13-14v when running

[@serchmarc]

where you get that electrical diagram? please name of the website or link ,

[@NickInTimeFilms]

Nickintimedesign.com/downloads It is called 1990 Jeep Factory Service Manual down at the bottom.

[@johndough7160]

That heater switch was one of the first things I changed. I’ve long since changed all the sensor’s and still I haven’t addressed the speedo and the tach. I’ve been blending in and out of traffic for a decade. I just got pulled over again. I was doing 15 over. WE were 15 over. About six or seven of us. I decided to pass them all and the state bull noticed this move. I better change those gushes. You know something? I never thought to check the fuse panel. I wonder if it’s just a fuse. Anyways, your rig looks awesome with those big wheels and tires. Did you lose any horse power by increasing the load your motor has to turn?

[@NickInTimeFilms]

The last video I released was about diagnosing the gauge cluster, might be worth a watch. Of course the bigger tires make this thing a bit slower, but regearing the axles and stroking the engine out to a 4.6L helped bring it back.

[@johndough7160]

@@NickInTimeFilms I’m confused on exactly how you disconnected the Speedo gauge.

[@NickInTimeFilms]

For 90 and older it's a mechanical cable, for newer it's a sensor. The cable has a clip in the back, but it may be easier to unscrew the transfercase end and feed it through to help pull the cluster out enough to get at it.

[@johndough7160]

@@NickInTimeFilms thanks man. Too bad you don’t live closer. I do interiors for a living. I created a recessed area on my right side of my bolster and now my Glock doesn’t dig into my kidney. I’m changing it though. I really need to redo the foam. I’ve noticed that my year of Jeep 1990, is outdated. Nobody has that year around here. Most of my friends have the newer versions. I dig my Jeep dude. This inline six is a beast. I don’t know why they stopped making this motor. Oh yeah, I don’t use cork gaskets anymore. I changed to that blue thing that cost fifty bucks. No problems anywhere. Zero leaks. My valve cover gasket. Anyways, thanks man. 😎

[@oklagrowmie]

@@johndough7160 hey man get a new speed aensot for your t case..thats what was causing my speedo to not work

[@BSDKllr]

recirc door only opens on max a/c and maybe when the system is off.

[@NickInTimeFilms]

I'd have to dig out the owner manual but I thought I recalled it on heat to help warm up quicker. I'd love to hack in and make it all more modern. Give option to control recirc and AC compressor manually, as well as a simple windshield, upper, lower, or both vent option and keep the temp slider. May even sell them if I could figure it out and make it professionally.

[@BSDKllr]

@@NickInTimeFilms the temp slider is fully mechanical. The rest is a vacuum drive. It's never on just what the location switches say. Defrost opens the feet vents a bit and feet opens the defrost a bit. I would love to have a full on defrost and feet setting.

[@dennisreynolds6915]

Get a propane torpedo heater for your outdoor vehicle repairs! They rule

[@runningoverland7656]

"Ol'Googe" XD

[@iosrecords54]

Mine was working but stoped working out of nowhere

[@losercomet]

Did you at least spray it with some wd40?

[@NickInTimeFilms]

Not yet, but I may of the issue comes back.

[@RandomStuffGarage619]

Blower speed dial is 2 speed on mine. Off, or HIGH lol Fak...

[@danhambrick6331]

Well that was an easy fix... lol...

[@NickInTimeFilms]

Haha, right? It's nice when it ends up like that. Had to bump it on 2 more occasions, doesnt get stuck anymore.

[@delinquentdesign]

You have to circumcise the flaccid rubber penis that is the condensation drain under the blower on the firewall. It lays over the frame rail and down the side to drip onto the ground. the tip gets clogged and it cant drain cut about an inch off or until you can clearly see the opening. You can also shove a wire up in the hole to clear up any clogs. Goodbye wet feet and rusted blower motors. Goodluck

[@NickInTimeFilms]

Haha, we did that on the trailer to moab. Not sure if it completely helped but haven't needed it much lately.

[@delinquentdesign]

NickInTimeFilms itll help unless theres a ton of dirt in the evap core wont let it drain right. And itll smell like old lady socks.lol