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2011-2018 Volkswagen Jetta Blower Motor Resistor Replacement

This is a detailed guide for replacing a worn...

iFixit Library 2011- Present Volkswagen Jetta Moderate 15 - 20 minutes Guide 208941

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Guide overview

Before you begin

This is a detailed guide for replacing a worn out blower motor resistor with a new one on a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. If your fan system in your vehicle is not working on the lower settings like 1 or 2, and only working on higher settings like 3 or 4, then this guide is for you. The resistor is in your vehicle to do exactly that, resist the power going to the blower motor in order for your fan system to work on lower settings. Before you begin on this guide, make sure you have all the right tools, although the only truly essential tool needed will be a brand new resistor to which a link has been provided. Once you have acquired the resistor, there are mainly 6-7 important steps. You will need to locate your glove-box compartment, and underneath it is where you will remove the foam cover, unplug a cable, remove the old resistor and replace it with a new one. Before beginning this guide, make sure that you have your vehicles ignition off.

Step 1

Repair step

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This will be where you will be doing the replacement. Right underneath the glove box.

Step 2

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Flathead Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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To remove the foam cover, remove the two screws.
Locate the two thumbscrews. In the first photograph, you can see one hole empty on the left and one on the right with a screw.
Either unscrew them with your fingers, or using the flathead screwdriver.
My foam cover was missing 1 thumbscrew so I only had to remove 1.
Once both are removed, simply pull the cover out, don't worry about bending it, as it is a flexible foam piece.

Step 3

Repair step

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The blower motor resistor is the white plastic piece with a black cable plugged into it towards the left of the photo.
The blower motor is the cylindrical black piece with the white tape on the right of the photo.
We don't deal with the blower motor itself in this guide.

Step 4

Repair step

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Remove the black cable first. Push on the pins on each side and pull down.
Notice tabs on each side of the plug, push on those to loosen the cable for easy unplugging.

Step 5

Repair step

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Remove the resistor by pulling on the tab on the left of it, and sliding it towards you.
Pull the resistor towards you or to the right so as to loosen it.

Step 6

Repair step

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Replace the old resistor with your new one.
This one is relatively new and looks fine, as the green tape and the top looks intact. However a worn out resistor will look rusted and may even be broken.
Insert the new one into the compartment, then push it away from you or towards the left.

Step 7

Repair step

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Plug the black cable back into the new resistor.
This time you don't need to push on the two black pins on each side. Simply insert the cable.
If done correctly, the cable will make a click sound.

Step 8

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Flathead Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Reinsert the black foam cover.
To know if you're putting the cover back correctly, match up the holes at the top with the 4 poles sticking down as shown in the second photo.
Screw the 2 screws back into place to secure the foam cover in place.