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Fan speed (Air) knob fidgety

Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2023 8:15 am
by 73WaggyCustom
New to me 1973 Wagoneer Custom. It has factory AC, the under-dash Clardy manufactured unit with two knobs, AIR and TEMP. The AIR (fan speed) knob is a little fidgety, in that it doesn't always seem to turn the compressor on (air does not get cold) although it does control the volume of air blowing out of the vents just fine. If I turn the knob slightly in either direction the compressor will kick on and the air blows ice cold. Sometimes I have to "hunt" with the knob until I hear the compressor click on. Does anyone know if I can take the knobs and faceplate cover off of the unit and do any "servicing" that might remedy this situation? I am very inexperienced with this and don't want to make it worse or break something...

Thanks for any suggestions!

Re: Fan speed (Air) knob fidgety

Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2023 12:37 pm
by sonoraed
Pull the switch out and see which style it is Image
Image
The switch with 5 prongs is the most common , most parts guys can handle it, the switch with coils is really old style but available


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Re: Fan speed (Air) knob fidgety

Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2023 2:05 pm
by 73WaggyCustom
Thank you so much, Ed! I went to the UAC web site but couldn't find it?? What do they call those parts?

Re: Fan speed (Air) knob fidgety

Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2023 2:14 pm
by 73WaggyCustom
Never mind... I found them! Thanks again!

Re: Fan speed (Air) knob fidgety

Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2023 10:33 pm
by sonoraed
No problem glad you got fixed


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Re: Fan speed (Air) knob fidgety

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2023 8:08 am
by 73WaggyCustom
Due to circumstances I won't actually be able to work on this until later in the summer, or maybe fall. I am just trying to figure out how to approach it. Once I get to actually open it up and take a look I'll probably be back with more questions... Thank you so much for your willingness to help. That is what is so great about folks involved in this community!

Re: Fan speed (Air) knob fidgety

Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2023 10:28 am
by 73WaggyCustom
Here’s the fan switch. Doesn’t look like either of the other ones. It has three wires attached. Any idea where to source one?Image


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Re: Fan speed (Air) knob fidgety

Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2023 11:48 am
by Stuka
The physical shape should not matter much so long as its functionally the same. The 3 prong one linked above will likely work, but I don't know that it will for sure work.

Re: Fan speed (Air) knob fidgety

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2023 1:13 pm
by 73WaggyCustom
I installed the three prong switch linked above. It is a 3-speed switch. The good news is that the ac comes on with the first click and blows cold. The bad news is that the fan only blows one speed, which seems it must be high speed, no matter which position the switch is in. Anyone have any ideas? Is there a resistor somewhere else in the system that may need to be replaced? Appreciate any help as this is my first attempt at ac electrical repair.

Re: Fan speed (Air) knob fidgety

Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2023 10:40 am
by JWestfall
My 71 has the same switch as your stock one. I was able to clean up the contacts with electrical cleaner and a strip of fine sandpaper. (The brass part that moves as you spin the nob and contact the coiled up wire). It works fine for me now. Good luck

Re: Fan speed (Air) knob fidgety

Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2023 9:46 pm
by Srdayflyer
there generally a resistor associated with the blower motor on tate model fsj's i believe is located on the heater core housing in the engine bay, if the fan is working the default speed would be running on high the resistor steps the voltage down so the blower motor spins slower.

Re: Fan speed (Air) knob fidgety

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2023 5:32 am
by 73WaggyCustom
Thanks for your responses. I’ll try cleaning up the stock switch and reinstalling it.


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Re: Fan speed (Air) knob fidgety

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2023 7:28 am
by sonoraed
I think you will find that your evaporator has no external resistor it is built into the switch you have, the first picture with 3 prongs should interchange with your original switch,I have ac installation instructions that go way back at my old shop will take look and post if I find them.

Re: Fan speed (Air) knob fidgety

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2023 9:21 am
by 73WaggyCustom
Thanks Ed! Appreciate it. When I attached the 3 wires to the new switch I just guessed which went where. That could be the issue…

Re: Fan speed (Air) knob fidgety

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2023 9:08 pm
by sonoraed
I’m thinking three wires will be, ign switched,blower motor, to thermostat


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Re: Fan speed (Air) knob fidgety

Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2023 8:00 am
by 73WaggyCustom
Sorry for the much delayed response. I cleaned up my old switch as JWestfall suggested and it works fine now! Thanks also to sonoraed, I connected the wires correctly this time...