How to Change the Blower Motor on a 1997 Ford Thunderbird

Experts are unsure exactly what Ford was feeding the Thunderbird, but it went from a sleek two-seater designed to compete with the Corvette to a full-size luxury vehicle throughout its first lifespan. Actually, its significant weight gain was a way for Ford to cater more to the mass markets. The 1997 Ford Thunderbird the final year for the full-size version came standard with a wide array of high-end features, one of which was air-conditioning. A small electric motor provides the airflow needed to move the cooled air through the Thunderbirds HVAC ductwork and into the cabin. Replacing the blower motor is simple, once you know where to find it.

Instructions

1

Open the Thunderbirds glove box. Look on the right side of the glove box and find the glove box stopper the rod holding the glove box in place. Pry the stopper off the side of the glove box with a flat-head screwdriver.

2

Remove the three glove box-retaining screws on the bottom of the glove box. Remove these three screws with a ratchet and socket, and pull the glove box from the dashboard.

3

Look inside the glove box cavity and find the blower motor attached to the heating and air-conditioning box.

4

Press and hold the unlocking button on the blower motor wiring harness and pull the harness from the blower motor.

5

Remove the four screws securing the blower motor assembly with a ratchet and socket, then pull the blower motor assembly from the heating and air-conditioning box.

6

Pull the blower motor wheel retainer the thin washer-like component off the blower motors output shaft with needle-nose pliers. Pull the blower motor wheel off the blower motor shaft.

7

Guide the blower motor wheel onto the new blower motors output shaft. Press a new blower motor wheel retainer included with the blower motor down the motors output shaft until it seats into place in its groove in the output shaft.

8

Install the new blower motor into the heating and air-conditioning box, and tighten its four retaining screws with a ratchet and socket. Plug the wiring harness into the rear of the blower motor.

9

Insert the glove box into the dashboard and tighten the glove box-retaining screws with a ratchet and socket. Line up the glove box stopper with its retainer on the right side of the glove box. Press the stopper onto the glove box until it snaps into place. Close the glove box.