Durango HVAC Blower Motor Dies, Quick Winter Fix Tips

Had the same issue on my 2009 Dodge Journey with the 3.5L. The blower motor complete failure points to either the blower motor resistor or the wiring harness connection. In most cases, the resistor module gets corroded or burns out, causing the blower to stop at all speeds. The issue requires replacing both the blower motor resistor and the wiring harness connector since the original connectors tend to melt from excess heat. This is a known weakness in these models. The sensor system itself rarely causes complete blower failure, when HVAC sensors fail, they typically cause irregular operation rather than total stoppage. The repair involves accessing the blower motor housing under the passenger side dashboard and replacing both components. This was a moderate repair job that took about 2 hours in the shop. The connection issue can potentially cause a fire hazard if left unaddressed. The cabin air filter and air conditioning sensor systems should also be inspected while accessing the area, but they are likely not the root cause of your complete blower failure.

Thanks for the detailed response. That definitely matches what I experienced with my Durango. I actually had both the resistor and connector replaced last winter when the blower died completely. Like you said, the HVAC sensor and climate control system were fine, it was just the resistor that burned out. Did you remember roughly what it cost to fix yours? Mine is still running great now but wondering if you had any other issues pop up after the repair? Trying to track if I need to budget for more cooling system work down the line.

After replacing the resistor and harness last year, everything has worked perfectly. The auto recirculation and BMW AUC functions are back to normal since the mechanic found and fixed a loose connection in the climate control sensor wiring. Total cost was 95€ for the repair, which turned out to be just a faulty cable connection to the air conditioning sensor. The blower now responds correctly at all speeds and the cabin air sensor system works as designed. If maintained properly, these components typically last many years without issues. Just keep the cabin air filter clean and monitor for any unusual sounds from the blower motor. My advice would be to set aside some budget for routine HVAC maintenance, but major repairs shouldnt be needed if the resistor and harness were properly replaced during your previous repair.

Thanks for the input. I wanted to share how my repair experience went. After reading the responses here, I took my Durango to a new shop that specializes in HVAC repairs. The mechanic confirmed it was exactly the blower motor resistor issue mentioned. They found the original wiring harness was completely melted, which explained the total failure. The repair took about 2.5 hours and cost 280€ total, including parts and labor. While they had it open, they checked the climate control sensors and cleaned out the entire air recirculation system. The air conditioning sensor and other components all tested fine. Its been 3 months since the fix and the blower works perfectly at all speeds now. No more problems with the auto climate control either. Really glad I got this sorted before the cold weather hit. For anyone else having similar issues, get it checked early. The melted wiring could have been a serious fire risk if left unfixed.