Help with 1997 Altima AC Heater Control

[Brovane]

About a year ago the AC/Heater Control Unit on my 1997 Altima starting having issues. I could turn it on but when I pressed buttons to switch between blowing options(defrost etc) nothing would happened. I took it into my local auto shop. Anyway they tried to swap it but apparently Nissan doesn't make this unit anymore for the 1997-1993 Altima. Apparently in 1998 they switched to a different unit that looks the same but has a different control attachment on the back. So they adjusted the vents so they would just blow on me and since this was my beater commutter car I didn't really care much. So within the last week the unit control unit has lost the ability to set the speed settings. It is either on (full blast) or off. Also during the winter not having a defrost is annoying. Luckily I live in Southern CA but I park it on the street so during the winter the window can get fogged. I would carry a towel to wipe the window down. I know kind of ghetto but it worked.

I am thinking about finally trying to bite the bullet to replace the unit. I can find on ebay used units for around $30 and I am thinking for $30 dollar that isn't bad. However I am not mechanically inclined at all. I really am unsure about trying to actually install it myself. Does anyone know how hard it would be to get this unit out of the dash (without breaking the dash etc) and replace it? Should I just buy the unit myself and have my local shop install it?

 

[LTC8K6]

"Full blast or off" is the blower resistor.

 

[Brovane]

"Full blast or off" is the blower resistor.

Great I guess that means something else is broken. How hard is that to replace?

 

[LTC8K6]

Great I guess that means something else is broken. How hard is that to replace?

It's usually easy, but I am unfamiliar with that one.

 

[NutBucket]

Fixing the blower motor resistor is much easier and cheaper than fixing the other problem you are having.

 

[bruceb]

On your car the resistor is right next to the blower motor behind the glovebox. It has one electrical connector and has 2 phillips screw holding it on.

They show 2 parts numbers for that resistor .. not sure which one your car requires.
You may need to check with Nissan to see which one you require.

http://www.am-autoparts.com/Nissan/...opping&utm_source=google_base&utm_content=HBR

Part Number: AM-15713845
Specifications:

• Direct replacement
• Replaces dealer part numbers: 271501E405, 271502J000
• Built to strict quality control standards
• 100% tested prior to leaving the factory
• 4 Terminal connection

This part replaces:

• OE #: 271501E405, 271502J000
• STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS #: RU212T

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/1997/nissan/altima/climate_control/blower_motor_resistor.html

 

[Brovane]

Thanks I found a video online and it looks fairly easy to swap the resistor. I think I will try that. Still trying to decide what to do with the heater A/C climate control unit. Picking one up on E-bay for $30 doesn't sound bad. However getting the actual unit replaced will be the tough part.

 

[Brovane]

Thanks everyone for your help. The motor blower resistor has been swapped out, very easy and doing it myself I am sure saved me money. The speed settings are working now.

Since I was on a roll after swaping the motor blower resistor. I decided to buy a used Altima maintenance manual online. Getting the dash off to swap the AC/Heater control unit was only like 5 screws and some deft moving of plastic. Anyway I got a used unit off E-Bay for around $30 and this Sunday swapped it out. However it still doesn't switch between blowing options. This makes me wonder when my mechanic worked on it and couldn't swap it and I asked them to set it to just blow through the dashboard vents. I think maybe they disconnected something to allow the Control Unit to actually switch between vents etc. The used unit I replaced it with actually lights up correctly when I press the different buttons (which the old unit didn't do). So I think the new unit is working correctly. Just thinking that maybe somebody else was set somewhere else. Any ideas of anything else I should look at? I am kind of out of ideas besides asking my regular mechanic.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Might be a broken vacuum line, in older cars the vacuum line for the vent control was usually hooked to the brake booster.
If you have a factory service manual it should be in there somewhere.