Early Forester heater blower resistor

[cmjmarvin]

I'm back again, after easily and successfully replacing the resistor in my 1998 Forester. Here are my observations for the benefit of all who may find them useful.

 

You do have to remove the entire glove box assembly. There are seven identical Phillips screws, easily found. There is also a plug type fastener on the right side to remove. Now you have to give the assembly a good pull to get it loose from the internal, invisible clip on the right side. There is also a tab on the left side that slips into a slot on the neighboring part of the dash.

 

Now you can get to the resistor; this is the easy part. Unplug the cable from the resistor, remove the two screws, and out it comes. Reverse to install the new one. I paid $51 for mine at a dealer. I probably could have got it for six or seven dollars less on the internet. Test it before you put the glove box assembly back.

 

The glove box assembly needs to be pushed straight in and given a bump to engage the internal clip. The plastic tab on the left side will require some coaxing. Reinstall the seven screws and the plug fastener, and that's it.

 

Afterwards, I disassembled the old resistor and found that the solder connection had given way. Thus, I probably could have fixed the thing myself. I have set it aside in the unlikely event I might ever need it.

 

This is a job anyone with any mechanical skill can do. Don't pay a shop $50 to do it for you.