Heater fan switch to 3 position toggle

[nctom]

So my heater fan switch is sort of worn out. The low setting is broken but high still works. I don't really want to pay $30 (silly I know) for a new switch. I thought about putting in a three way toggle - down for low, up for high, center for off.

Any warnings or confirmation that I'm not doing something stupid?
Thanks!

 

[OldC7]

As long as the switch is rated for the proper current it shouldnt be a problem. The heater is usually one of the biggest amp draws on a vehicle so make sure your fuse is good and the switch can handle it.

 

[elwood blues]

A toggle switch will not work correctly, all that you'll have is three different possitions to turn the fan all the way on. The reason that those switches are expensive is because it's the switch itself that controls the amount of current sent to the fan, changing the RPMs of the fan. A toggle switch won't do that.

 

[nctom]

Ah, that makes sense. So the low setting is actually retarding the amperage going to the fan motor. Thanks for the details, glad I asked!

 

[73CJ]

A toggle switch will not work correctly, all that you'll have is three different possitions to turn the fan all the way on. The reason that those switches are expensive is because it's the switch itself that controls the amount of current sent to the fan, changing the RPMs of the fan. A toggle switch won't do that.

Hey let's back up here.

If you have an orange and red wire on the motor, the switch is a single pole triple throw high current switch. The black is ground. Unplug and check yours out with 12v.

The switch is rated 20-25 amps. I've melted a 15 amp switch.

There are some single wire blower motors, but they have an external resistor in series.

 

[elwood blues]

I'll buy that for a dollar. But, I know that some CJs had 3 speed fans and some had 2 speed fans (I don't know which came in what vehicles thought). Is that the difference, because in my '78 I have a pancake switch. Is there a year that this change happened or is this one of those awesome AMC things that you never know what you've got until you dig in to it?

 

[73CJ]

2-speed pancake style were 76-77

3-speed pancake style was 78-86

76-77 have a 2 wire motor. And a heavy duty pancake style switch as above.

 

[73CJ]

78 have 3 wire motor and switch.

 

[elwood blues]

See, learn something new every day, good info 73CJ .

So, in theory, if nctom did get a 3 position toggle switch (because he has a 2 position switch as shown in the wiring diagram you posted) one that was rated for up to 25A, he could replace his factory switch with a toggle switch.

 

[73CJ]

There are many different styles used for autos, but older CJs are pretty simple.

I can still smell the smoke from that switch. The blower motor was dying and drawing too many amps.

We need our heaters real bad up here.

 

[IOPort51]

Now, try to find a replacement 2 speed motor.

 

[nctom]

2-speed pancake style were 76-77

3-speed pancake style was 78-86

76-77 have a 2 wire motor. And a heavy duty pancake style switch as above.

Yep, that looks like my rig. 1977 in all of it's glory. I've got a 25 amp on off on toggle, going to try configure it this weekend.

Thanks all of you guys for working through this one. This site is invaluable! I'll let you know how it goes (fire extinguisher always handy...)

 

[nctom]

Alright guys, I got it done this weekend. Turns out I have a two speed motor - the one with the red and orange wire, which makes this job dead simple.

I snipped off the modular plug, added individual connectors to each wire. Brown is the 12v lead. Red is high, orange is low. I wired it up to a 25 amp 3 position toggle switch and I am good to go. It even looks pretty good.

Thanks for all of your help!

 

[IOPort51]

actually, it does look good

 

[elwood blues]

Looks good Tom