# One-speed hvac fan: dash switch or blower motor?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/one-speed-hvac-fan-dash-switch-or-blower-motor/5595>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** nissan\
**Created:** [October 7, 2007, 2:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/one-speed-hvac-fan-dash-switch-or-blower-motor/5595 "2007-10-07T14:56:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Bostom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f475e1/32.png) [@Bostom](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bostom)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2007, 2:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/one-speed-hvac-fan-dash-switch-or-blower-motor/5595/1 "2007-10-07T14:56:00Z")

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My 1996 Maxima SE used to have a four speed fan for heat, vent, a/c, and defrost. Now it has only one: top speed. Everything else works, meaning it still sends out hot or cold air: just lots of it or none.  
  
  
  
 What’s the likely cause? Is there another potential culprit? I’m hoping it’s the fan switch (it’s cheaper than a blower motor) but either way, is it a big job? Does the dash need to be disassembled?

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**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2007, 3:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/one-speed-hvac-fan-dash-switch-or-blower-motor/5595/2 "2007-10-07T15:03:15Z")

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Simpler and perhaps cheaper than a switch. Replace the resistor box, or blower resistors. This is a DIY job if you can find the thing. Ask the guy at the parts counter.

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**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2007, 3:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/one-speed-hvac-fan-dash-switch-or-blower-motor/5595/3 "2007-10-07T15:03:18Z")

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There is a resistor in the circuit and it has failed. It’s probably in the airsteam of the fan and accessible from the side of the heater box. If you see a piece screwed into the box with wires going to it, that’s it.

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2007, 3:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/one-speed-hvac-fan-dash-switch-or-blower-motor/5595/4 "2007-10-07T15:10:35Z")

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There are two things that can cause this problem. Either the blower motor resistor block is defective, or the high speed fan relay is defective.

Tester

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**Author:** ![EllyEllis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f14d63/32.png) [@EllyEllis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/EllyEllis)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 2:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/one-speed-hvac-fan-dash-switch-or-blower-motor/5595/5 "2009-01-12T02:26:22Z")

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He has high speed!!!