CarComplaints.com Notes: The Dodge Intrepid, Stratus & other Chrysler sedans are infamous for oil sludge problems with the 2.7L V6 engine. If someone offers to sell you a 2.7L V6 model, it's only worth the price of the scrap metal it's going to shortly turn into.
NOTE: Only the 2.7L V6 has the oil sludge problem. Our "Avoid like the Plague" designation is ONLY for models with the 2.7L V6 engine. All other available engines are very reliable with no major problems.
Even with regular maintenance, the oil sludge defect eventually destroys the 2.7L engine typically around 80,000-100,000 miles. The only true fix we know about is to put in the larger 3.2L engine, which has a great reputation.
This issue was never deemed a safety defect by the Feds, so there was no recall. In the end, Chrysler got away with FOUR YEARS worth of defective 2.7L V6 engines in their sedans.
6.2
fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$70
Average Mileage:
83,800 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
not sure (3 reports)
replace blower switch (2 reports)
resistor,if that fails again replace the blower motor itself (2 reports)
Same as my earlier post the resistor blew out again...so now I have to replace the Blower motor that's under the glove box area..........and it's around $100 just for that part the blower motor, then of course around 30-35 for a new resistor to work with the new blower motor.
Ok like many others with a Dodge Intrepid, the Fan Speed Switch will work only on high. So it's either roast to death or freeze for a bit.
The problem is under the Glove box....there is a Resistor that plugs into the Blower Motor witch controls your fan speed. When the resistor blows out the motor will only let the fan work on high.
So cheap fix. Buy a resistor for 35 dollars or so & pull out the glove box & kill your back trying to get the old resistor out & put the new one in. I paid my mechanic once to do it for around another 40 bucks. So I was around 75 but th resistor blew out again anyway .....so now the Blower Motor Has to be changed (big black roundish plastic swirl cage), as many people told me would be likely the problem including the dealer. There is a problem with the resistance & voltage or something like that. Also sometimes condensation gets at the resistors (you may notice you're old resistor is slightly rusty)
HERE IS A VIDEO ON HOW TO REPLACE THE RESISTOR:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai8d54gC38A
The blower motor is right beside where the resistor is you might as well do yourself a favor and have it changed as well because that is the root of the problem. So you will need a new BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR & BLOWER MOTOR.
But if you just want to try the resistor first & see if it works.....if it blows once .......don't try it again....just get a new blower motor & of course another resistor. Because it's just gonna keep blowing resistors. The resistor will work for a short time like maybe a month if that then you realize the blower motor needs to be changed to. I think that is around $100 for the part approx.
Anyway if you are a do it yourself type of person or just want to save money......CHECK THAT YOU TUBE VIDEO IT WILL SAVE YOU VERY MUCH HEADACHE & TIME, at the end of the video all the pictures are enlarged so you can see the writing better.
The fan would only work on HI.We replaced a 20.00 part under the dash where the passengers feet are...Sorry don't know the technical on it.20 mins later the fan was working fine.
Our 99 intrepid had same problem (blower only worked on high) at 35,000mi, 42,000, 51,000, 60,000.
1st time , just under warranty, local dealer (Darrow-Don't go to them), put a new blower switch in. (NOTE: Blower only working on high is it's default setting when switch takes a dump. or it would leave you on the road without any defrost!)
2nd time- they reluctantly covered a new blower switch. (and put a dent in car in their lot which they denied)
3rd time- they said no recalls on switches, wouldn't cover again. The service apes wouldn't check for a deeper problem, to keep them off the hook.
4th time- dealer wouldn't cover. I called 5 corners dodge in Cedarburg, Wi, 262-375-3900. and friendly service rep Rick said it is probably the blower sucking too many amps, causing switch to overheat and burn up. Sure enough,They found blower motor amps real close to maximum allowance, and wanted to replace blower motor and switch.
I called Dailmer factory customer support, and wanted them or their incompetant dealer to cover the cost. With persistance they agreed to split the cost of repair with me. I have since continued to give 5 Corners Dodge professionals my business. Hope this can help somebody. Rik
The fan only works on HI. If you turn the knob one setting lower, it stops dead. The AC/Heater still works, but again, only on HI. Not sure what the problem is, any suggestions? I live in Canada, and it's winter, so I have to have my fan on to defrost my windows, but now I can't hear anything and its DRIVING ME NUTS! Its freckin cold up here, -36C.
This was broken on my car when I bought it in November 2006. I have taken it in 3 times now to be fixed and they have told me it was something else causing it and charged me for other parts and told me it was working fine. When I turn on the fan, it only works on high. Turn it down a notch and the fan goes off. It won't work on any speed but high. Are all of the mechanics at Dodge/Chrysler nincompoops?
went to Dodge dealership in Stone Mountain, Ga to have all drive belts replaced at one time a $200.00 job. When the mechanic brought the completed work to me, it was time to pay for the repairs, keep in mind this was a brand new 1999 Dodge intrepid just off the show room floor 2 years later, so, I pay for the repairs, get in the car, get ready to leave, turn on the a/c, I get no blower fan operation at low, med, med hi. So I returned to the intake manager, explain the situation to him, he calls up the mechanic, explain my complaint after the fact to him, he says "well we did not bother the fan switch only removed the relays under the hood to prevent the engine fan from coming on while we R&R'd the drive belts. Through much deliberation with him and the service manager, nothing was resolved nor repaired. Even after a lengthy report to the Dodge Corporation.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Same as my earlier post the resistor blew out again...so now I have to replace the Blower motor that's under the glove box area..........and it's around $100 just for that part the blower motor, then of course around 30-35 for a new resistor to work with the new blower motor.
- anonymousautobeef, London, Ontario, Canada