Chrysler Repair: 1996 dodge caravan, dodge caravan, compressor clutch

Question
I have a 1996 dodge caravan, the a/c will only work when you turn the blower switch to high. is this the blower or is it the switch thank you in advance

Answer
Hi Scott,
Your problem is a little different than I have experienced but I believe it has to do with the motor's resistor block, not the blower motor itself.  This is the component which varies the fan speed by dropping the voltage to the motor in steps. Usually (on earlier year models) when it fails the fan operates only on high speed regardless of where you set the switch. But as I look at the late 90's van diagram I can see that if a resistor (the one attached to the tan/black input wire) in the block burns out, then only the high speed will operate on the fan. And the A/C compressor clutch depends upon getting a signal that the fan is operable, so if the fan is instead only running at high speed (with the fan set to high), then that would also explain why the clutch won't engage at those other settings.  
The resistor block is mounted in the engine compartment at the very upper corner of the dash panel (or firewall) on the passenger side. It has an electrical plug with 5 wires. Remove the plug, then release the two screws and pull the resistor block out of the opening (the other side of the panel is actually in the air intake path which provides air to keep the resistors from burning out).  You might electrically test its resistors/wiring and if necessary get a replacement from a pull it yourself wrecking yard or a new one from a dealer if it appears to be damaged.
That is my theory of why you have this problem.
If the resistor block seems to be o.k., then the switch on the A/C control itself is the problem. But verify that the block is o.k. before going any further.
Roland