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Power vent fuse?

28K views 12 replies 7 participants last post by  Renegade1127 
#1 ·
Hi
I have a '98 Grand Caravan. The rear power vents spontaneously stopped working last night, both at the exact same time. I used to hear the motors working and now when I hit the switch there is no sound at all. I can't seem to find a fuse for these. Any ideas where that would be. I read the forums about replacing motors and switches but hoping to avoid this if possible. Thanks for the help.
 
#2 ·
I bet the switches on the door are bad. This happened to both of my own 3rd gens. A vent, or both vents started working sporadically, and then less and less, and then not at all as the switches failed. Currently I don't have much of a need for the rear vents, so I haven't bothered to rip the door apart and change out the switches. But I would gaurantee that this is where you problem is. I kept thinking it was the motors, but not so!
 
#3 ·
Are you talking about the rear blower motor for heat? What's the other motor? Will they work on high, if so a resistor block or power module (automatic temperature control) is likely faulty.
 
#11 ·
Mat Welcome to the forum :hi2:
As you've noticed, some people are totally off the problem, though the have good intentions.

Get yourself a multi-meter. Pick up a Haynes Manual for your year/make/model/engine and check the wiring for that circuit.

Check your fuses, based upon the wiring in the manual. if they're OK, then;

"DIVIDE AND CONQUER" :thumb:

Pull the switches and see if you have "power". If so, check further toward the rear vents, where they ground. You may have a common ground and it's loose.

If NO Power, check the wiring in the manual and trace it back toward the fuses.
 
#5 ·
Yeah that sounds like the switches ,it takes about 2 minutes to remove the switches and you dont have to pull the door panel off, just a couple of screws and unplug the switches,find another set to borrow and switch them around to see if thats the problem. Easy job alls you need is a phillips screwdriver,could just be your plug is loose or dirty contacts!
 
#6 ·
The supply fuse for the power vent windows is in the PDC next to the battery.

It is the middle one (position five from the front) of the nine big fuses, and is rated at 40 amps.
 
#7 ·
Trouble is, according to a 98 schematic at least, if any "fuse" in the system blows, it will effect all the windows and not just the vent windows.

BTW - All I'm seeing in the system are PTCs (thermal circuit breakers). No fuses. Two on the junction block under the dash, one in each of the motor assemblies.
 
#10 ·
Trouble is, according to a 98 schematic at least, if any "fuse" in the system blows, it will effect all the windows and not just the vent windows.
Agreed. Which make it strange that only the Vents have stopped working.

BTW - All I'm seeing in the system are PTCs (thermal circuit breakers). No fuses. Two on the junction block under the dash, one in each of the motor assemblies.
From the Chrysler service manual CD:

HELPFUL INFORMATION
² Check the two 9 amp PTC’s located in the junction
block (positions 8 & 9)
² Check the 40 amp fuse located in cavity 5 of the
PDC

² Check for a good ground at the instrument panel
left side cowl

Could this be a bad ground, or a bad ground wire from the switches ?
 
#8 ·
Switches? Two seperate switches going bad at the same time. Hmmm. About the same as two motors failing at the same time. I'd lean towards a problem in the circuit board in the switch assembly. Change that and you change the switches anyway. Maybe I'm "splitting hairs".
 
#13 ·
Looks like a job for 'Breakers Yard Man'.

I had my switches out of the door today, planning to fit an automatic window closer operated by the RKE lock.

There is only one common ground wire from the switch assembly to ground the rear vents and front windows, so the only possible fault is on the circuit board inside the switch assembly. Most likely a cracked joint or track.
 
#9 ·
oops sorry I was replying to another thread about a passenger door switch not working,got ahead of myself,oh well this may solve your problem to,like I said it only takes minutes to check out the switchblock with another,try to find one from a donor vehicle.
 
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