Where the Blower Motor Resistor Is Located in Most Vehicles

The blower motor resistor is usually located in or near the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) ductwork, close to the blower motor itself—most often behind the glove box or under the passenger-side dashboard. In many vehicles it’s mounted in the air duct so its electrical elements are cooled by airflow from the blower fan. However, exact placement varies by make, model and year, and sometimes requires partial dash or trim removal to access.

What the Blower Motor Resistor Does—and Why Its Location Matters

The blower motor resistor (or blower motor control module on some newer cars) regulates the speed of the interior fan that pushes air through the vents. Because it must stay cool while handling electrical current, manufacturers usually mount it where air can flow over it. This engineering decision largely determines where you’ll find it: in the HVAC housing very close to the blower motor, typically on the passenger side of the cabin.

Typical Locations by Vehicle Type

While layouts differ, modern vehicles tend to follow a few common patterns based on body style and packaging. Knowing the category your vehicle falls into can narrow the search area before you start removing trim panels or the glove box.

• Compact cars and sedans: Frequently behind or under the glove box, mounted directly into the HVAC air duct or blower housing.
• Crossovers and small SUVs: Often behind the glove box or under the passenger-side dash, sometimes slightly higher up on the HVAC case.
• Full-size SUVs and minivans: Usually on the passenger side HVAC housing; rear climate systems may have a second resistor in the rear quarter panel or behind interior trim near the rear blower.
• Pickup trucks: Commonly behind the glove box or under the passenger-side dash; in some trucks it’s accessible from below without removing the glove box.
• Luxury and late-model vehicles with automatic climate control: May use a solid-state blower control module in a similar location to a resistor, still mounted in the HVAC ducting near the blower motor.

Although each segment has its quirks, these patterns mean that in most passenger vehicles, your first inspection point should be the passenger-side dash area where the blower motor sits.

Most Common Physical Mounting Points

Across brands, technicians repeatedly see the blower motor resistor in a few recurring spots relative to the blower motor and dash hardware. Identifying the blower motor first often makes it much easier to pinpoint the resistor or control module.

• Directly in the blower housing: A rectangular or trapezoidal plate with a wire connector, held by 2–3 screws, inserted into the plastic housing of the blower fan.
• On the HVAC case near the blower outlet: Bolted or screwed into the plastic air duct that channels air from the blower toward the vents.
• Behind the glove box door: Hidden until the glove box is dropped or removed, then visible on the HVAC housing.
• Under the passenger-side dash panel: Mounted on the underside or side of the HVAC box, accessible from the footwell after removing a panel or hush cover.
• In rear climate systems: Positioned on or near the rear blower in a side panel, rear quarter trim, or under a rear-seat side cover.

In each of these positions, the control unit is located where air can move across it for cooling and is close to the blower’s power feed, keeping wiring short and efficient.

How to Recognize the Blower Motor Resistor

Since multiple components share the same area under the dash, being able to visually identify the resistor or control module helps avoid confusion and mistakes, especially where wiring harnesses are dense.

• Shape and size: Generally a small rectangular module, often around the size of a pack of playing cards or smaller, mounted on a metal or plastic base plate.
• Connector: Features a multi-pin connector, typically 3–7 wires, feeding from the main HVAC wiring harness.
• Mounting style: Fixed to the HVAC case with 2–3 screws; the working part of the resistor often protrudes into the airflow inside the duct.
• Resistor coils vs. solid-state module: Older designs may show visible resistor coils once removed; newer “blower control modules” are sealed electronic units with an aluminum heat sink.
• Proximity to blower motor: Usually within a few inches of the blower motor itself, often sharing the same harness or bracket area.

These visual cues, combined with the component’s location near the blower, make it easier to confirm you are dealing with the correct part before disconnecting anything.

Typical Locations by Major Brand (General Guidance)

Every model is different, but manufacturers tend to reuse HVAC layouts across platforms. Knowing the general tendencies of popular brands can help narrow down where to look, though factory service information or a model-specific guide is always recommended for precision.

Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

Ford products usually place the blower motor and resistor close together on the passenger side, but access methods vary slightly between sedans, SUVs and trucks.

• Ford sedans (Fusion, Focus, Taurus): Commonly behind the glove box, mounted in the HVAC case; often accessible after dropping the glove box door.
• Ford trucks (F-150 and similar): Typically under the passenger dash near the blower motor; sometimes accessed from below without glove box removal.
• Ford SUVs (Escape, Explorer, Edge): Usually behind the glove box in the HVAC housing, with 2 screws holding the resistor in place.
• Lincoln luxury models: Similar placement to the Ford equivalents, but often using solid-state blower control modules instead of simple resistors.
• Older Ford models: Frequently exposed resistor coils once removed, bolted into the plenum so duct airflow cools them.

While these patterns hold for many models, always verify using a service manual or trusted database, especially around model year redesigns where HVAC layouts may move.

General Motors (Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac)

GM vehicles are particularly consistent in putting blower components on the passenger side, with many trucks sharing a nearly identical configuration across model years.

• GM trucks and SUVs (Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon): Passenger footwell, under the dash, near the blower motor; often under a plastic trim cover.
• Chevy sedans and crossovers (Malibu, Cruze, Equinox): Frequently behind or above the glove box on the HVAC housing.
• Buick and Cadillac models: Similar to their Chevy/GMC siblings, but more likely to use electronic control modules rather than coil-type resistors.
• Dual-zone and rear climate systems: A second resistor/control module near the rear blower, often behind side trim panels.
• Older GM cars: Traditional resistor packs inserted into the heater box inside the dash, still on the passenger side in most cases.

Across GM’s lineup, locating the blower motor first almost always leads directly to the resistor or module within the same immediate area.

Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram

Stellantis (formerly FCA) vehicles commonly keep HVAC hardware centralized, though some models are tighter for access than others, particularly compact Jeeps and small Dodges.

• Chrysler and Dodge sedans/minivans: Typically behind the glove box or on the passenger-side HVAC case near the blower motor.
• Jeep SUVs (e.g., Grand Cherokee, Cherokee): Often behind or slightly above the glove box, sometimes requiring removal of the glove box and side trim.
• Ram trucks: Usually under the passenger dash near the blower motor, screwed into the HVAC plenum.
• Models with automatic climate control: Use an electronic blower control module in nearly the same location as a resistor would be.
• Older Dodge/Jeep models: Resistor pack inserted directly into a rectangular cutout in the HVAC duct, accessible from the passenger footwell.

Given the sometimes tight dash packaging, patience and careful trim removal are important to avoid damage while locating the resistor in these vehicles.

Toyota and Lexus

Toyota and Lexus platforms tend to be methodical in design; once you learn one layout, many related models follow the same philosophy, especially in shared platforms like Camry/ES or RAV4/Highlander.

• Common Toyota sedans (Camry, Corolla): Behind or above the glove box, on the HVAC housing near the blower motor.
• Toyota SUVs (RAV4, Highlander, 4Runner): Typically behind the glove box; sometimes a lower under-dash panel must be removed first.
• Minivans (Sienna): Front resistor near the passenger-side blower; rear resistor (if equipped) near the rear blower in side or rear trim.
• Lexus models: Similar to their Toyota counterparts, though more likely to use transistorized blower control modules that look like small metal heat sinks.
• Hybrid variants: Usually keep the same physical location, but may have slightly different harnesses or module designs.

This consistency means model-specific guides and online forums often provide highly accurate photos and step instructions that translate well across similar vehicles.

Honda and Acura

Honda and Acura designs place the blower assembly firmly on the passenger side, but glove box removal is often necessary for working room, particularly on compact models.

• Honda Civic, Accord, CR-V: Frequently behind the glove box; dropping or removing the glove box exposes the blower motor and resistor.
• Honda Pilot, Odyssey: Front resistor on the passenger-side HVAC case; rear systems may have a second resistor near the rear blower behind interior panels.
• Acura models: Similar locations to equivalent Honda platforms, but commonly using an electronic module instead of a simple resistor block.
• Older Hondas: Classic resistor packs bolted into the heater box, cooled by air from the blower.
• Tight packaging: Some compact models require removal of additional under-dash panels for access despite being in the same general area.

Once the glove box and any lower trim are out, the resistor or module is usually in clear view near the blower motor, simplifying identification and replacement.

European Brands (VW, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, etc.)

European designs can be more complex, with some models splitting HVAC components between driver and passenger sides. However, the core principle—keeping the resistor in airflow—remains the same.

• Volkswagen and Audi: Often behind the glove box or deep within the passenger-side dash; access can require more extensive panel removal.
• BMW: Uses a “final stage unit” or “hedgehog” blower resistor, frequently behind trim on the passenger or driver side of the dash, depending on model.
• Mercedes-Benz: Generally uses electronic blower regulators located near the blower motor on one side of the dash; often more hidden than on mass-market brands.
• Volvo, Peugeot, others: Typically near the blower in the HVAC case, but with access variances that may require following a detailed service procedure.
• Right-hand-drive vs left-hand-drive variants: Some platforms mirror component location across the cabin, so the blower and resistor may be on opposite sides depending on market.

Because of these variations, a model-specific service manual or repair database is especially important when working on European vehicles.

How to Systematically Locate the Blower Motor Resistor

Even without model-specific instructions, a methodical approach based on the known relationship between the blower motor and resistor can reliably guide you to the correct component.

1. Locate the blower motor first: From the passenger footwell, look under the dash for a round plastic housing—this is usually the blower motor.
2. Identify the main HVAC housing: Follow the blower motor housing to the larger plastic ductwork that leads toward the center of the dash.
3. Look for a small module on the duct: Search for a small rectangular unit with a wiring connector, screwed into the duct or housing near the blower.
4. Check behind the glove box: If you cannot see the resistor from below, drop or remove the glove box and inspect the exposed HVAC housing.
5. Inspect rear interior panels on vehicles with rear climate: If troubleshooting a rear blower, look behind rear side trim or in the rear quarter panel where the rear blower is mounted.

This step-by-step method uses the blower motor as a landmark to guide you toward the resistor or control module, reducing guesswork and unnecessary disassembly.

When the Blower Motor Resistor Might Be Somewhere Unusual

In some late-model vehicles, particularly those with advanced climate control systems, what used to be a simple resistor is now a more sophisticated power module. While still near the blower, its packaging can differ, which sometimes confuses DIYers expecting older hardware.

• Integrated control modules: Some systems integrate the blower controller into a larger HVAC control unit still located on the HVAC case.
• Separate driver side or central mount: On a few platforms, the module is on the driver side or in the central dash near the center console instead of near the glove box.
• Behind metal braces or crossbars: Safety and structural reinforcements can partially cover the HVAC housing, hiding the module from easy sight.
• Buried behind sound insulation panels: Some quiet-focused designs tuck the resistor behind foam or acoustic panels that must be removed.
• Rare engine-compartment locations: A handful of older or specialty vehicles place resistor packs in the engine bay on the firewall, still aligned with HVAC ducting.

These exceptions underscore the value of consulting a wiring diagram or exploded HVAC diagram for your specific model when basic searching turns up nothing.

Using Documentation to Pinpoint Location

Ultimately, the most reliable way to find the exact blower motor resistor location on your car is to reference documentation created for that model. This not only tells you where it is, but also how to reach it without unnecessary removal of surrounding parts.

• Factory service manuals: Provide detailed diagrams of HVAC layouts, component locations and removal procedures.
• Online repair databases: Services like ALLDATA, Mitchell or OEM online manuals often include location views with arrows pointing to the resistor.
• Parts diagrams from dealer or parts sites: Exploded views of the HVAC housing can reveal where the resistor mounts relative to the blower.
• Owner and enthusiast forums: Step-by-step writeups and photos from owners of the same model can show exactly where the module sits.
• OBD-II and service bulletins: For vehicles with electronic modules, diagnostic procedures often specify component locations in detail.

Combining these resources with the general location patterns described above gives you the highest chance of finding and servicing the blower resistor efficiently and correctly.

Summary

The blower motor resistor—sometimes replaced by an electronic blower control module in newer cars—is almost always mounted on or very near the HVAC ductwork close to the blower motor, most often on the passenger side behind the glove box or under the dash. It is inserted into the air stream so it can be cooled while controlling fan speed. While typical locations are fairly consistent across brands and vehicle types, access methods and exact mounting points vary, making a model-specific diagram or service manual the best final reference for pinpointing its position.