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The newest threads I found were all around 2014 and 99 percent of them did not cover my issue. After much trouble shooting and random googling I found the issue and thought it would be a good little read for you TJ guys.
So even the first day driving this thing home, I noticed, every now and again, the airbag light would come on and off. Well I haven'e been using the AC or heat much this year until recently. So I kept noticing a faint electrical smell last month and noticed my HVAC controls getting warm around the edge. Did some googling, found out that as the blower motor ages it draws to many amps for the wires. So I swapped the blower motor and the smell went away along with most of the heat from the controls. Three days ago I noticed my airbag light staying on, then the next day my blower didn't work. I did not tie the two issues together as the blower I thought had been working all along and figured the airbag light was the clock spring. So I go to reading tech articles. Pulled my HVAC controls and walla, melted bliss every where. No biggie I thought I had found my culprit and could get her squared away. Broke off some of the melted pieces, connected everything and nothing. Did some testing and no juice. Did some more research and realized they were all grounds. So got to checking my fuse panel and no heat at the number 8 fuse which is HVAC/blower. Pulled the fuse panel and all was connected. Checked the number 1 fuse under the hood, even direct linked it and still no power at the fuse panel. Bizarre ehhh. So randomly while searching I noticed a blower issue that also tied into the airbag. Well the ignition switch apparently turns on random banks of fuses. Jerked, wiggled and turned the key a couple of times and boom, power at the fuse. Hooked up the blower again, and crossed the two wires I am about to show you and walla, blower function. So, just FYI blower issue are not always panel related but glad I pulled it.
So the cliff notes. Your ignition switch going out, takes out your blower, back up lights, and airbag. Also you might want to eyeball your HVAC controls.Ignition switch was like 35 bucks and looks like a 20 minute job. I may get pics if I am not lazy. You will need a 10 security Torx though I believe to get it off.
These wires are all grounds so no biggie they are bare. The little one on tops triggers the compressor, the middle green one runs over and to the speed switch and and the black one is the main ground coming into the system. There is no power up here all grounds. I think I am going to buy the 60 dollar panel on ebay and a new plug though. My speed switch looks good but I figure why not. I think I am still building a little heat as these three wires were originally a solid one piece connector that just plugs in. I do have heat shrink and new switch but I think the actual prongs are corroded from the plastic that melted away thus causing resistance. Some people put relays in here but hey, I figure it made it 18 years.
So even the first day driving this thing home, I noticed, every now and again, the airbag light would come on and off. Well I haven'e been using the AC or heat much this year until recently. So I kept noticing a faint electrical smell last month and noticed my HVAC controls getting warm around the edge. Did some googling, found out that as the blower motor ages it draws to many amps for the wires. So I swapped the blower motor and the smell went away along with most of the heat from the controls. Three days ago I noticed my airbag light staying on, then the next day my blower didn't work. I did not tie the two issues together as the blower I thought had been working all along and figured the airbag light was the clock spring. So I go to reading tech articles. Pulled my HVAC controls and walla, melted bliss every where. No biggie I thought I had found my culprit and could get her squared away. Broke off some of the melted pieces, connected everything and nothing. Did some testing and no juice. Did some more research and realized they were all grounds. So got to checking my fuse panel and no heat at the number 8 fuse which is HVAC/blower. Pulled the fuse panel and all was connected. Checked the number 1 fuse under the hood, even direct linked it and still no power at the fuse panel. Bizarre ehhh. So randomly while searching I noticed a blower issue that also tied into the airbag. Well the ignition switch apparently turns on random banks of fuses. Jerked, wiggled and turned the key a couple of times and boom, power at the fuse. Hooked up the blower again, and crossed the two wires I am about to show you and walla, blower function. So, just FYI blower issue are not always panel related but glad I pulled it.
So the cliff notes. Your ignition switch going out, takes out your blower, back up lights, and airbag. Also you might want to eyeball your HVAC controls.Ignition switch was like 35 bucks and looks like a 20 minute job. I may get pics if I am not lazy. You will need a 10 security Torx though I believe to get it off.
These wires are all grounds so no biggie they are bare. The little one on tops triggers the compressor, the middle green one runs over and to the speed switch and and the black one is the main ground coming into the system. There is no power up here all grounds. I think I am going to buy the 60 dollar panel on ebay and a new plug though. My speed switch looks good but I figure why not. I think I am still building a little heat as these three wires were originally a solid one piece connector that just plugs in. I do have heat shrink and new switch but I think the actual prongs are corroded from the plastic that melted away thus causing resistance. Some people put relays in here but hey, I figure it made it 18 years.
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