Heater and A/C Blower only works on 1-2 speeds out of 4....?

[ballencd]

The other day my 2014 Crosstrek blower speed control stopped working on speeds 3 and 4. It had been working earlier in the day....no funny sounds, no bad smells. This is both in heat and A/C mode. Also the A/C light comes on and works normally when in 1 and 2 but not in 3 and 4. I'm not sure where to start troubleshooting. I've read on the web that its normal for a resistor pack to go bad but when it does the high speed will normally keep working when resistors get burned up. I have to assume that the switch is getting 12V as it works in 1 and 2. Does anyone have a schematic for this circuit?

Any help would be appreciated

 

[ballencd]

So now one knows anything about this issue? Hard to believe. I traced it to the switch bad on 3 and 4. I bought a used one on the web and it was bad on 1-2-3-4 so I sent it back. Apparently Subaru thinks these are made of gold at over $350 wherever I look. I found a switch that looks the same for the older models around 2008 maybe. I wonder if it can be retrofitted or is it a lost cause and I need to buy the whole 3 knob cluster with all the switches and buttons. The earlier switch alone is about $35.....

 

[jmcglynn]

This is interesting. I just purchased a used 2014 Crosstrek, and the blower motor stops when turned to 4. So your experience tells me it's likely the switch itself. Something to look at... Thanks.

 

[ballencd]

I ended up pulling the switch out and took it totally apart and found that the poor connection made heat which melted the the plastic around the contacts making the contacts not able to touch the mating surface. I took an Exacto blade and carefully cut back the melted plastic from around the contacts which when put back together worked fine and has since back in Oct 2022. It was fairly easy but you have to be gentle. I wish I took pictures. I will look back and see if I possible did and just don't remember. Good luck.

 

[ballencd]

I had a wiring diagram and troubleshooting guide for it and can look for it if needed. There is a resistor bank in the air plenum behind the glove box door to the left that I tested also but it was OK. If I remember right the 4th speed is a straight 12 volts where the lower speeds have resistors to drop the voltage, so most likely not the resistor pack...?

 

[jmcglynn]

I ended up pulling the switch out and took it totally apart and found that the poor connection made heat which melted the the plastic around the contacts making the contacts not able to touch the mating surface. I took an Exacto blade and carefully cut back the melted plastic from around the contacts which when put back together worked fine and has since back in Oct 2022. It was fairly easy but you have to be gentle. I wish I took pictures. I will look back and see if I possible did and just don't remember. Good luck.

This is interesting and a good possible solution. I'll give it a try when I have some tome to dismantle it. Beats paying more than $300 for a new switch assembly.

 

[ballencd]

I was about to bypass the switch and install a multi position replacement but there is not much room to work with unless you extend the wires somewhere else on the dash for the switch or make it look bad which stopped me in my case. I just requested a copy of the troubleshooting diagram I got from a user "IamWedge" on this forum back in 2022....I will continue looking for the info but he may send me a copy or put it up here if he can.?