heater motor resistor replacemrnt
 

If your heater motor only works on the high setting, you probably need to replace the resistor provided the motor works at all.

The resistor is located to the right of the heater motor on the bottom of the plenum behind the glove box. I found the most convenient way to gain access to it is to remove the glove box completely. Open the box, empty it, and close it. Remove the 4 screws from the hinge (you'll need a 7 mm socket to do this). Open the box and push in on both sides to release the stops. The box should fall out into your hands.

The resistor is the small connector closest to the glove box opening. Push in on the tab on the connector and pull it down to disconnect it. There are 2 screws holding the resistor to the plenum. Remove them (you'll need an 8 mm socket for this). The resistor will drop out of the plenum.

I checked mine with an ohm meter and found that the reading between any 2 pins was either OL (open line) or 0.0 (shorted), both of which means deceased. Advanced Auto parts had one in stock (BWM #RU1133 for $25.49 + tax). If you're patient, you can get them for less than that on line. I told the clerk I was going to plug it in in the parking lot and, if it didn't work, could I bring it back? (An advantage to dealing with the store.) He said yes. It worked.

There are 2 guide rails on the plug so it can only installed 1 way. Push it in till it clicks. There are 2 locating pins protruding from the plenum so that the resistor can only be installed 1 way. Insert it into the plenum with the tab on the connector facing the center of the car. Position it on the locating pins and install the 2 screws.

The trick to installing the glove box is to position it in the opening, push in on the sides so they enter the opening, line the top of the box with the top of the opening, and close it till it latches. Now you don't have to juggle it while you install the hinge screws.

This was my experience with my 2006 Mustang. I would think that this would work with any model year between 2005 and 2008. If you're young and really, really flexible, you might get away without removing the glove box.

8/7/2017
Jim Birke