Dash electrical refresh questions

[saburai]

Hi Gang!
I've got the drivetrain and suspension up to acceptable levels, hydro boost coming soon. But before that, I need to get the cabin electrical up to par. Here's a list of things that need attention, any help and advice plus the best places to source parts would be much appreciated! 1)Blower motor: up until yesterday it worked on all speeds but would howl sporadically, more so on high. As of yesterday, it only works on high. 2)Windshield wipers: they seem tired and lazy. On intermittent, if the rain is light they will occasionally get stuck somewhere mid stroke and I'll have to turn the switch to get them going or to park them. 3)Headlight switch/headlights: The dash illumination dimmer is flaky at best and even when it's lit, brightness is lacking. As for the headlights themselves, I'm assuming that a relay harness, new bulbs and lenses would be the best route. It should be noted that at times either with the lights and or wipers on, I sometimes smell a vague electric component cooking smell...
Many thanks!

 

[chillman88]

1. Common problem is the blower motor resistor. Symptoms are fan only works on high. Howling might mean that the motor is bad too but I'm not sure that will fix your high only problem.

2. Wiper motor. Been there done that... have fun. Cowl needs to come off which means you need to pull the hood. Don't drop the clip off the linkage!

3. Not sure. I'd try replacing the switch and then putting in a relay harness.

 

[saburai]

Thanks! Do you have a good source for the parts?

 

[Thewespaul]

EBay/rockauto really, I’m pretty close to closing my commercial napa account tbh. Howling can also be leaves and crud in your blower’s squirell cage. Headlights I’ve gone with siverstar ultras and a headlight relay and it’s just as bright as some of the led headlight pictures you see on here

 

[chillman88]

I personally order almost everything from RockAuto. Check around though, I prefer to get things I will likely need to exchange locally (lifetime warranty steering parts for example). I've saved lots online, but I've also caught a few things actually being cheaper in town.

EDIT: And yeah, our local NAPA sucks here too.

 

[saburai]

Thanks guys! Any tutorials or just a .pdf to help with the blower motor and resistor?

 

[Thewespaul]

I’d look it up on YouTube, even easier to follow (sometimes)

 

[chillman88]

Headlights I’ve gone with siverstar ultras and a headlight relay and it’s just as bright as some of the led headlight pictures you see on here

Makes me wonder if part of the benefit of the LEDS is that the wiring is sufficient for it, as opposed to the factory bulbs being dimmer without the relay. Like a carburetor thats too small for an engine vs the right size if you catch what I'm saying.

 

[chillman88]

I’d look it up on YouTube, even easier to follow (sometimes)

I actually have a couple videos of when I did my wiper motor on youtube lol

 

[saburai]

IMHO, NAPA is still a lot better than discount/zone/oriley and the like. But I notice that they (NAPA)are circling the drain as far as knowledgeable counter men are concerned...

 

[Thewespaul]

Makes me wonder if part of the benefit of the LEDS is that the wiring is sufficient for it, as opposed to the factory bulbs being dimmer without the relay. Like a carburetor thats too small for an engine vs the right size if you catch what I'm saying.

Yep, led is good for plug and play. But generally it’s good to add a relay for the sake of not having to worry about headlight switch or harness fires again

 

[chillman88]

IMHO, NAPA is still a lot better than discount/zone/oriley and the like. But I notice that they (NAPA)are circling the drain as far as knowledgeable counter men are concerned...

My only complaint with the local NAPA stores is the personality of the people working there. They seem to... idk either they hate their job or they're "better" than you. I just don't like people like that lol

 

[saburai]

Makes me wonder if part of the benefit of the LEDS is that the wiring is sufficient for it, as opposed to the factory bulbs being dimmer without the relay. Like a carburetor thats too small for an engine vs the right size if you catch what I'm saying.

I was thinking the same. As much as I like to "do it right", if I can avoid labor and $$, if it works well, I'm all for it.

 

[chillman88]

Yep, led is good for plug and play. But generally it’s good to add a relay for the sake of not having to worry about headlight switch or harness fires again

I swiped a whole fuse box from a Cherokee a couple years ago I still haven't used. I might end up just doing it all the RIGHT way.

 

[saburai]

I actually have a couple videos of when I did my wiper motor on youtube lol

Linkage?