EATC (automatic temp control) fan problems

[sidneyhop]

I have a 98 eddie bauer with an automatic temp control heating/ac system that doesnt respond to manual settings for the fan. It only works when I turn the fan all the way to the high position but there is no inbetween. Does anybody have any insight into why this may be happening?
Thanks!

 

[96eb96]

I have a 98 eddie bauer with an automatic temp control heating/ac system that doesnt respond to manual settings for the fan. It only works when I turn the fan all the way to the high position but there is no inbetween. Does anybody have any insight into why this may be happening?
Thanks!

Very likely the the electronic fan controller (expensive resistor assembly) located in your fan box. It is like a $50 part from an online dealer.

 

[DavidEBSmith]

That's the problem.

There's a good picture in this thread of how to get to it. Like it says, you have to unbolt the cruise control unit and the washer bottle and move them around to get to the EATC controller, but its no big deal. On my 96, I also had to splice a new connector on the wiring (they changed the plug on the controller), but you might not have to do that with a later model.

 

[sidneyhop]

Very likely the the electronic fan controller (expensive resistor assembly) located in your fan box. It is like a $50 part from an online dealer.

Thanks guys! Great info in that other thread. Do you know of a good online dealer that has that part? I did a search and all that I could find was the entire blower assembly.

 

[daffy]

Part # XL2Z19E624AA

http://www.fastpartsnetwork.com/ a site sponsor, $58

E-mail any questions to Torrie over there, he's usually fast to respond, and helpful.

 

[96eb96]

Thanks guys! Great info in that other thread. Do you know of a good online dealer that has that part? I did a search and all that I could find was the entire blower assembly.

billdubetoyota.com

Its $53 there.

 

[96eb96]

Also, as a PM measure, I would remove the device and clean it with electronic parts cleaner. I believe they fail for two reasons:

- Dirt (and possibly oil from a bad evaporator) causing a short circuit, destroying the entire module
- Dirt causing lack of cooling on the power transistor heat sink, causing it to fail.

 

[sidneyhop]

Also, as a PM measure, I would remove the device and clean it with electronic parts cleaner. I believe they fail for two reasons:

- Dirt (and possibly oil from a bad evaporator) causing a short circuit, destroying the entire module
- Dirt causing lack of cooling on the power transistor heat sink, causing it to fail.

Are you talking about cleaning it in the future after I replace the part or is there a posibility my current part is still good and it just needs to be cleaned?

Also Im having a heck of a time finding the part when I do a search. The only reason I found it in daffy's post is because he gave the part #. That site is in the same state as me so Id be charged tax on top of shipping and it ends up being an additional $15 or so. Im cheap so the lower the better . What key word(s) should I do a search for? Ive tried:
electronic fan controller
blower controller
air conditioner controller

Thanks for your guys help.

 

[96eb96]

Are you talking about cleaning it in the future after I replace the part or is there a posibility my current part is still good and it just needs to be cleaned?

Also Im having a heck of a time finding the part when I do a search. The only reason I found it in daffy's post is because he gave the part #. That site is in the same state as me so Id be charged tax on top of shipping and it ends up being an additional $15 or so. Im cheap so the lower the better . What key word(s) should I do a search for? Ive tried:
electronic fan controller
blower controller
air conditioner controller

Thanks for your guys help.

I'm not affiliated or advertising for these guys but they give cheap shipping and good service. contact Parts@billdube.com, give him the part number in the thread, say fan speed control. and tell him your vehicle. Also, it will be tax free in your case. THey will confirm the correct part. It is not in the parts database.

Usually if the part blows it is fried, but it won't hurt to remove it and see if a dirty short is causing the problem. Mine definitely blew because dirt shorted out terminals. If I would have cleaned it most probably it would have lasted. In some cases it may just be the natural demise of that power transistor, but the harsh dusty environment can help it along. Do not test that thing outside of the fan box, it will fry without the fans ventilation.

 

[sidneyhop]

I bought the part. Ill re post to let you know how it all works out

 

[96eb96]

I bought the part. Ill re post to let you know how it all works out

You will most probably need a wire crimper. The new kit replaces your old harness.

 

[sidneyhop]

You will most probably need a wire crimper. The new kit replaces your old harness.

I didnt order the entire kit, just the part. The kit was $110 and I wasnt sure that I needed it. Isnt the part something I can just plug into the old wiring harness?

 

[96eb96]

I didnt order the entire kit, just the part. The kit was $110 and I wasnt sure that I needed it. Isnt the part something I can just plug into the old wiring harness?

I looked at mine. Its the same part number as you got when I got it the harness was definitely changed. Remember I have a 96. I remember getting a kit and splicing some wires to get it to work. I would drop/call the parts department a line to be sure they will know. Maybe yours is a direct drop in. I doubt they shipped it at that hour on Friday. In the worst case you can get a motorcraft harness for the new plug.

You can also look at yours, My plug has two big wires on top and three under it.

_ _
- - -

something like that. The edges are sorta rounded.

 

[sidneyhop]

I looked at mine. Its the same part number as you got when I got it the harness was definitely changed. Remember I have a 96. I remember getting a kit and splicing some wires to get it to work. I would drop/call the parts department a line to be sure they will know. Maybe yours is a direct drop in. I doubt they shipped it at that hour on Friday. In the worst case you can get a motorcraft harness for the new plug.

You can also look at yours, My plug has two big wires on top and three under it.

_ _
- - -

something like that. The edges are sorta rounded.

Ill see if I can get a good look at it tonight with a flash light...take a pic even and post it. Not sure how clear of a shot I cant get will the cc still in the way though. If it comes down to it I guess I can pay my local dealership a visist for the harness although that would be a last resort.

edit with a pic from another thread:

Does yours look like this?
<img src=http://home.earthlink.net/~bchung4457/images/100_0087.jpg>

 

[96eb96]

I looked at my DVD and I believe you need the kit. You can check your truck, and look at the connector. 99s have the new wiring harness like the one I changed. Be sure to email them or call asap and cancel the order. Confirm the wiring pattern to be sure

98s have (old style that is replaced):
| |
- - -

99 + (and new harness that you may need)
_ _
- - -

 

[sidneyhop]

ok thanks...Ill send them an email now.

 

[96eb96]

Ill see if I can get a good look at it tonight with a flash light...take a pic even and post it. Not sure how clear of a shot I cant get will the cc still in the way though. If it comes down to it I guess I can pay my local dealership a visist for the harness although that would be a last resort.

edit with a pic from another thread:

Does yours look like this?
<img src=http://home.earthlink.net/~bchung4457/images/100_0087.jpg>

That looks to me like the old style plug and it will have to be changed. I just pulled it on my truck, and the clip was underneath and out of sight. Since the part number is the same, the old plug will not fit.

If you want to be 100%, pull the plug and see if all the connectors are facing the same direction or not. If they are all in the same direction you do not need the harness. Otherwise you do.

Another option: keep your part, and goto a junkyard and cut off the harness from a 99 and up explorer. You are essentially paying over $50 for a new harness and some crimp tubes.

I remember the kit saying it works for thunderbirds and mark 8s but they may also have the old harness.

 

[sidneyhop]

That looks to me like the old style plug and it will have to be changed. I just pulled it on my truck, and the clip was underneath and out of sight. Since the part number is the same, the old plug will not fit.

If you want to be 100%, pull the plug and see if all the connectors are facing the same direction or not. If they are all in the same direction you do not need the harness. Otherwise you do.

Another option: keep your part, and goto a junkyard and cut off the harness from a 99 and up explorer. You are essentially paying over $50 for a new harness and some crimp tubes.

I remember the kit saying it works for thunderbirds and mark 8s but they may also have the old harness.

Good deal. Looks like Ive got some running around to do. I needed some other misc parts that I inteded to pick up at the junkyard so Ill just look for that too. Prob see if I can get the part there also...clean it really well with tuner cleaner and hopefully be done with it.

Thanks 96eb96...youve been a big help.

 

[96eb96]

Oh and one more thing, get a price on the harness alone, I believe you can get the separately. It may be cheaper than the kit which has some 50cent crimps. Your dealer can fax you wiring diagrams. I believe the wiring order is the same.

 

[96eb96]

Good deal. Looks like Ive got some running around to do. I needed some other misc parts that I inteded to pick up at the junkyard so Ill just look for that too. Prob see if I can get the part there also...clean it really well with tuner cleaner and hopefully be done with it.

Thanks 96eb96...youve been a big help.

Ok, great, glad to be of help! good luck.