heater control help needed!

[woodrat]

90 Legacy wagon. Ever since I bought this car three years ago, I've had heater control troubles. First time the heater stopped working, I went to the u pull its, and found a new heater control and installed it. Worked a little bit, and then back to no heater. Ignored it all summer, then in the winter, needed heat, so I went to the yards again, got another control unit, installed it when I changed out the leaky heater core, and all was well again. Had heat for a few months and then last March the timing belt went and I parked the car all spring and summer. Just replaced the timing belt a couple of weeks ago, and again, no heater controls. Then the next time I drove it, heater worked fine. Next day, no heater, next day, heater works fine. next day, no heater until I wiggled the fan switch. Then, no heater again, and no wiggling helps. Yesterday, perfect heater. This morning, no heater again.

Is there a relay for this system somewhere? I can't deal with no heater, and I can't keep sticking new controls in every couple of months, either. I have that 1990 version with the different plug, and they're not that easy to come by in the u pull its. I want to fix this silly thing once and for all, so I know that I will have a working heater anytime I need it.

[subytech]

There is a main blower motor relay, its located up under the dash on the drivers side behind the fuse box. It has a bare aluminum case (silver) and is round. Its also a major PITA to get to. you can sometimes see it if you remove the small coin pocket in the dash and look back past and above the fuse box. I've replaced quite a fiew of these for similar issues. Hope this helps.

[woodrat]

Thanks!

I figured out from the Haynes manual that there is a relay, but it wasn't exactly helpful when it came to telling me where it was. Guess I should have replaced that one while I had the dash out....

[rallyak]

I would look at the connector that goes to the fan swich. mine was doing the same thing and found the connector was melted not getting good contact.

[woodrat]

Yeah, it turned out to be that yellow plug in the back of the control unit. Wiggle it and the fan comes on, wiggle it again and the fan goes off. I got it back in there in a position where it's currently working, but I'm not sure how long it will stay that way. Thanks for the help!

[Legacy777]

Your problem is likely this.

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1142