Car Doctor

What to do when a car has air conditioner/heater fan issues

The Car Doc addresses some car vent dilemmas. Flickr / Nan Palermo

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Q. My 2006 Toyota Corolla LE is experiencing a problem with the air conditioner/heater fan. Sometimes it will work and sometimes not. Could it be wiring, relay, blower switch, what? I am at wit’s end.

A. The system uses a switch, blower motor, resistor, and relay. The issue could be any one of them, but since it is an intermittent problem, I’m inclined to suspect a wiring problem. The first place to look is at the ground for the blower motor. Over time, this connection could have corroded, causing an intermittent connection.

John Paul, AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor, answers questions from drivers every week. He has 40+ years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE certified master technician.

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