How to Replace a Rear Blower Motor on a 1998 Dodge Caravan

The 1998 Dodge Caravan,like most modern passenger vehicles, relied on an electric blower motor to circulate air through the van's heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. A secondary blower motor mounted along the rear passenger side of the Caravan was needed to condition the air at the rear of the cabin. While the rear blower motor was fairly durable, it is susceptible to wear and tear and will eventually fail. The motor is replaceable, but requires the removal of the rear seats and all paneling from the right side of the cabin.

Instructions

1

Park the Caravan and set the parking brake.

2

Open the rear lift gate -- the trunk door -- until it is in a fully raised position. Grasp the right rear seat by its handle, facing outward from the bottom of the seat near the cabin floor. Push the handle's release button and push the handle down until the seat can be pulled out from the rear of the Caravan. Remove the middle seat, using the same method.

3

Pry up the lift gate sill plate, using a trim stick. Remove the header trim cover, located at the top of the lift gate opening, using a trim stick.

4

Unbolt the rear seat belt anchor from the cabin floor, using a ratchet and a socket. Alternatively, remove the rear seat belt turning loop from the right quarter trim panel, using a ratchet and socket, if you are working on a long wheelbase Caravan model.

5

Pry the bolster panel off of the right quarter trim panel, the paneling that covers the rear portion of the cabin, using a trim stick.

6

Pry off of the C-pillar trim cover, located along the side of the right rear door, using a trim stick.

7

Remove the screws securing the rear portion of the right quarter trim panel to the D-pillar trim panel near the lift gate, using a Phillips screwdriver. Pry the forward edge of the quarter trim panel, near the right rear door, with a trim stick to disengage the panel's mounting clips. Pull the right quarter trim panel out of the Caravan.

8

Separate the D-pillar trim panel from the cabin wall, using a trim stick. Unplug the rear speaker wire connector from the back of the panel, if equipped. Slide the rear seat belt out through the slot cut into the panel. Remove the D-pillar trim panel from the Caravan.

9

Remove the five screws securing the rear blower motor housing to the HVAC unit near the rear, right-hand side of the Caravan, using a Phillips screwdriver. Pull the housing away and grasp the end of the blower motor. Twist the motor counterclockwise until it can be pulled out of the blower motor housing. Unplug the motor's electrical connector.

10

Push the new blower motor into the original motor housing, then twist it clockwise until it locks into place. Plug the electrical connector into the motor. Mount the blower motor housing onto the HVAC unit and tighten the five screws snugly into place.

11

Slip the right rear seat belt through the slot at the top of the right D-pillar trim panel. Reconnect the rear speaker wire connector, if equipped. Push the clips along the inner edge of the D-pillar trim panel into the slots cut into the cabin wall.

12

Re-install the right quarter trim panel onto the cabin wall. Push the clips along the inner edge of the panel firmly into the wall slots until they lock into place. Tighten the screws along the rear edge of the panel snugly into place. Push the bolster panel into place over the quarter trim panel.

13

Push the C-pillar trim cover into place near the right rear door.

14

Re-install the rear seat anchor or turning loop onto the cabin floor or the right quarter trim panel, respectively. Tighten the anchor or loop bolts snugly with a ratchet.

15

Push the lift gate sill plate and header cover into their respective positions until they lock into place.

16

Slide the hooks at the front of the middle and right rear seats into their mounting points on the cabin floor. Push the release handle over the catches built into the floor until the seats lock into place. Close the rear lift gate.