How to fix Jeep Liberty blower motor (resistor) – with pictures

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I have a 2004 Jeep Liberty and the blower motor fan for the heat and air conditioning over time has gotten weaker and weaker to the point of setting number one not even working anymore. Over time, settings 1-3 will stop working and only 4 will work. Thanks to comments from Slav below, this is due to the full fan setting bypassing the resistor. I did some internet searching and found that this is a very common problem, but I couldn’t find very good instructions. Yes, there were step-by-step guides, but none answered all my questions. Here is my own attempt at helping you to make this job easy. (Click on any image for a larger resolution version.)

I had the dealership look up the part number — for my 2004 Liberty it is 5139719AA, although it is best to have them check fresh if you are going to tackle this project. If you decide you want to assume I’m right, here it is on Amazon.com.

Here are the tools I used: 2 small flat head screwdrivers, 8MM or 5/16″ socket (1/4″ drive), 1/4″ drive ratchet, 1/4″ drive long extension or a 1/4″ socket driver,  flashlight; optional & preferable: this looks like it would be the perfect tool for this job, a 1/4″ universal joint adapter.

 

Before starting, forums that I read insisted that you remove the negative wire from the battery to prevent airbag deployment. I was skeptical of this, but to nervous to risk it. Just do it.

1. Empty and remove the glove box. This is actually really simple. Open the door until it won’t open anymore. Look on the left and right for this large clip:

Push the clips toward each other and open the glovebox further:

Once you open the glovebox far enough, you can slide the whole thing to the right and remove it:

(I didn’t figure this out until I was done, so my subsequent pictures won’t reflect removing the glovebox door.)

2. Some might say to remove the wiring harness now, but I had a lot of trouble with that, so I took the resistor out, then worked on removing the wiring harness. This is when I first used my socket driver to remove the top screw:

3. For the bottom screw, I tried using my socket driver, but it was too much of an angle to bite:

This is where you can use a flexible or universal tool or a ratchet, like I did:

Thankfully I was able to hold on to the screws. If you drop one, I’m not sure how hard it is to get back.

4. Then I pulled the resistor out:

5. It took me a long time to figure this out: you must pull out the red clip lock in order to allow the black lever to release the wiring harness. Prying the red lock didn’t work, so I ended up needing to use a small screwdriver to push up on the little locking piece in the back:

Here’s what it looked like when it released:


At that point, push down on the black lever to release the wiring harness:

6. The rest is just going in reverse now, you can either put the harness on now or later; I chose now so I could see what I was doing.

Here is the old resistor. It has either worn out or made with very poor quality control:

PLEASE comment if there is a better way to do something that I didn’t figure out!! Also, let me know if this was helpful.

 

 

209 replies
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  1. Traci says:

    THANK YOU for posting this! I was changing my resistor on my 2005 Jeep Liberty today and could not for the life of me figure out that stupid red lock! Of course they dont give you much wire to pull it out and look at it either. This helped tons!

  2. Traci says:

    By the way, if you drop a screw (or the rachet head like I did!) it’s just two more phillips screws directly in front under where the glove box would be to undo the black plastic housing that keeps everything clean between your feet and the dash. Nevertheless, one of the screws i dropped seems to have gone into a black hole. I’m hoping the Jeep will cough it up soon.

  3. Jerry says:

    Thank you fo your extra help that locking clip was a bear. I was at my wits end until I found your explaination and pictures

  4. Pedro says:

    Must be the time of year to replace these things!

    Thanks for the tip on the red clip. I can’t remember the last time I’ve heard anything as satisfying as the “click” of that clip releasing.

  6. Philippe says:

    Well documented and very informative. Your comment on the red clip was very helpful and I replaced the part in my 2003 Liberty within 10 minutes.

  7. sonda says:

    Thank you so much for this how to help. It saved me a trip to my mechanic and did it all myself with your help.Thank you very much for the step by step instructions,the hardest part was getting the little red lock off !!!!!

  8. Mike says:

    Thanks. You saved my Saturday. As an engineer myself I have to ask just what the hell the jeep engineer was thinking when he/she/or it decided on the red clip. A simple resistor is secured better then fort Knox.

  9. matt moody says:

    My problem is on the other end of the wire. The conector that goes into the blower is melted. I can not find one of those any where, unless i pay 600 for the whole thing. Have you seen or know where i might can get one?

  11. Jason says:

    Thanks for the instruction. This was a great help. The red clip was a pain, and the harness didn’t come off easily for me even after I unclipped it. I had to grasp the black plastic piece surrounding the red clip with needle nose pliers and push hard to get the harness to separate from the resister.

    I would second the earlier comment of removing the plastic housing beneath the glovebox to begin with. Along with eliminating the worry of dropping screws and tools into the inside of the jeep. It also made that lower screw holding the resistor far easier to unscrew. My ratchet must have been larger than yours as this was essential for me to have the necessary room.

  12. Tracey says:

    Thanks for the instructions. I had a hard time separating the wire connector from the resistor, also. A little determination and it finally separated. Great pictures. They are a life saver.

  13. ric says:

    thanks…that damn double lock is a bear. I was ready to break it and found this thread….My girl is very happy now that she has heat and AC….
    thanks again..

  14. Hola says:

    Thanks so much. I followed this bad boy step by step and it worked like a charm. I think without your tips on the red clip i would have most likely broke it out of frustration. Thanks again.

  15. Don says:

    Found this VERY useful information. We purchased this used 2003 Jeep Liberty (wife loves it) with the blower only working on high. Made the dealer sign a paper stating that they would fix it, but thanks to your helpful info we don’t have to mess with them!

  16. Julie says:

    Thank you so much for posting this! I fixed this myself with your instructions. Only cost me $26 and took about 30 minutes.

  17. Mike says:

    I have an 06 Liberty with same problem. It just stopped working – unless at highest setting – at about 93000 miles. How long would it take a novice to fix? Also, should I remove the neg batt cable? BTW, my sideview mirrors stopped working too… about a year ago.
    Thanks for yor help.

  18. brmorris says:

    Yes, removing the battery is highly recommended. With my instructions, you should be able to do it in 10-30 minutes.

  20. A. Federer says:

    These instructions were great!! I was finished in about 20 minutes. Thank you very much!

  21. Mike says:

    Great pics and instructions, thanks! BTW both of my side view mirrors stopped working as well. Thankfully they’re stuck in the position just right for me. Oh, another thing – I’ve since had all four fixed – but has anyone had their 06 Liberty windows FALL INTO THE DOOR!

  24. Laurie says:

    Thank you SO much for posting these detailed instructions with photos! That red locking clip is a tough one. Was able to complete this repair by myself for only the cost of the $19 part. Now, if it were only as easy to replace the air conditioning condenser…

  26. John says:

    Thanks so much. Just replaced the resistor on my 2005 Liberty CRD. (and it is 95 F here today!)The local NAPA had one for $22. I used an 8 mm open end wrench and a 1/4 inch rachet with 8 mm socket. Only dropped the screw twice and socket once but foam on the dash bottom caught them both. The tip on the red lock was invaluable. Took less than an hour with no busted knuckles

  27. Peg J says:

    Thanks so much for the pics and directions. It helped out tremendously and saved me bunches. Someone had once told me I had to get the part from the dealer and that was to cost $80 bucks. Then labor! forget it! Found part little more than $20 and labor was free minus a little Florida heat. Thanks again!

  28. carpemark says:

    Thank you for this site! I drive to the dealership and grabbed part 5139719AA as it was right around the corner and the weather was hotter then hades. So you may get better prices anywhere else. Drove home and thanks to the picks and quidance I replaced it within 15 minutes (I was also talking to family and friends hence why it took so long). Once again this site and its steps are amazing!

  29. Ken says:

    Thank you for the excellent instructions and pictures. And, thanks to the other commenters for recommending dropping out the plastic underside cover.

  30. Sue says:

    This is an excellent tutorial. The pictures make all the difference! I have a 2006 Liberty. The panel is not underneath the glove box, so dropping the screws was not a problem. Definitely take off the glove box cover, made it a lot easier. But that red clip was a bugger!! I had to check the photos and the new part against the setup so I knew what was the harness. Thanks Brian!!

  31. Hossein says:

    All I can say is fantastic!Totally it took me 15 minitues to find the resitor place and replace the part since everything was adrressed step-by-step.I have a 2004 Liberty, So I took off the pannel under the glove box and easily remove the screwes.
    Thank you very much Brian!

  32. Marc says:

    I would never have figured out the red clip. This was a lifesaver. Dealer wanted $300+ to fix this. I did it for $28.

  33. James says:

    Thanks a million! this information was very helpful to me and was also very detailed, my wife will be very happy I won’t freeze her anymore.I really appreciate ,thank you!

  34. Slav says:

    Brian,
    Thanks a lot.
    It worked on Liberty 2006.

    When I pulled off the resistor, I switched to position 4 (maximum blow) and it worked because this is a direct contact without resistor. This indicated that only resistor was broken.

    Thanks again.

  35. eric says:

    i have been having issues with my air conditioner it will throw cold air on 1,2,3 but just for about 1/2 an hour. than it weakens out. When you put it on level four it just make a real loud noise butno air blows out. if anyone know what it might be i will be greatly appreciated. thanks

  36. Melissa says:

    Thanks for posting these instructions. I have a 2008 Jeep Liberty and although this didn’t fix my problem complete I do appreciate finding this. I followed your instructions and removed the Resistor and since I didn’t have the correct part I left it off. Although the weather is over 90 degrees I had to drive my car and all of the sudden my AC began to work. Thanks for posting. I’m half way to fixing my problem. If any one knows how to fix this issue for 2008 Jeep Liberty Limited! Please post!

  37. Boz says:

    Brian – Thanks! You helped save us about $125! Super simple fix with your great illustrations. I’m passing sit on to a fellow KJ owner too.

  38. Jeff says:

    Thanks so much! Very helpful and easy, dropped the lower 3 times first 2 times it came out somewhere and landed on the floor. Third time no sign of it so i just keft it out. If it rattles itself out I’ll attempt to put it in again

  39. Adam says:

    Pulled this page up on my phone, studied the pics and had the resistor changed in about 20 minutes. Thank u for a thorough but simple description.

  40. Mike says:

    It’s amazing what having the right part, tools and information can do. You not only saved me a couple hundred bucks but who knows how much time and frustration. It took me less than 1/2 an hour on my 2003 Liberty. I can’t thank you enough.

  41. Randy Millis says:

    I just did this on our 2004 liberty:

    Your introductions were very helpful.

    I found if I used my nut driver and GENTLY pushed down on the dash plastic below the glove compartment opening I was able to get a good bite on the bottom bolt. It came out and went back in easily.

    I also used an extra long, fine, set of needle nose pliers to pull the clip out (in my case it came COMPLETED OUT, but slid back in on completion.) I had some trouble remembering to PUSH DOWN on the black lever. I should have printer the page and took it out with me.

    My harness was also VERY TIGHT and I wore work gloves to protect my hands and get a good grip.

  43. Cyndi Garza says:

    A million thanks to you! I never would have attempted to do something without your detailed instruction. You saved me a boatload of money! Now I can hang into my 10 year old Liberty a little while longer instead of getting into a new car payment.

  44. Steven says:

    Worked for me. I left it for a long time assuming it was the switch since there was not a separate fuse or relay for it on the chart. Who knew… oh yeah, Google knew. Thanx!

  45. Marty says:

    I have one question. Did the resistor going out also cause the ac to not work? I have a 01 durango and my rear ac works but my front dont and my resistor in the front is melted.

  47. Rob Hollenbeck says:

    This instruction was the best internet find of the year.I didn’t even know what was wrong,let alone how to fix it.With this instruction and the pictures I had it fixed in minutes.And to think,we’ve been driving around with it broken for years.

  48. Frank G. says:

    Hi,
    These were good instructions…
    I just needed to get a 10mm deep dish or a 10mm open end for the battery terminals.
    PLEASE DISCONNECT THE BATTERY BEFORE TOUCHING ANYTHING!!!!!
    Kind Regards

  50. David says:

    Thank you, thank you, thank you.
    Great instructions.
    Disconnected the battery for safety (10mm wrench)
    Dropped the bottom cover from the glove box (2 screws) for easier access.
    Done in 30 minutes

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