I made a round trip of some 250 miles today to install a new resistor for a blower motor in my friend's 2000 Camry, which went well. But I have crud interfering with the fan and wanted to remove the blower motor to investigate. I could easily see the two gold screws furthest from me and easily unscrewed them. But the third screw, nearest me, was obscured by a row of large white connectors. I couldn't locate the screw, couldn't put my hand in there to see its location. And yet, I've seen videos of someone putting a screwdriver there with all the white connectors in place, and removing that third screw.

So, before I make another 250 mile trip, I would greatly appreciate your help. My main question: Should I be able to locate this screw and remove it without removing anything else--like glove box, electrical connectors, etc? (The only part I removed to gain access to the resistor was just that lower trim panel). I did try removing my glove box, as my Haynes Manual indicates, but there was absolutely no way I could squeeze on the sides sufficiently to let it drop down to access screws.

Thanks in advance for rescuing me.

 

You should be able to access all blower motor housing screws.

I have needed remove the seat to be able get under the dash.

If doing so take note of any airbag connections (yellow). Prior to disconnecting any airbag connections (yellow), disconnect the battery for 90 seconds. Do not connect the battery until the airbag connector(s) is reattached.

The Haynes manual follows the factory manual. This is in removing the lower finish panel, glove box door and glove box.

Once out the white connectors can be disconnected and unbolted from the blower housing.

This should be pretty straight forward.

There is a airbag connector (typically yellow) inside the glove box area that will need to be disconnected.

 

Since, in removing that lower panel, I had a fairly good view of the blower motor and was able to successfully install a new resistor, I thought that the removal of the glove box was more a convenience than a necessity. Apparently, especially in getting to that third screw, it's a necessity. Once the glove box is removed hopefully I will be able to see how that row of large white connectors is fixed to the car. I assume I won't need to disconnect electrical wires to any one connector since the body of that connector would still be in the way. I'm hoping that I can unbolt a few screws and move that whole band of connectors a little out of the way, enough to see and remove the third screw.

By the way, I think the easiest way of removing glove box is to remove the five retaining screws or nut (3 on top, 2 at bottom. I tried for over an hour trying to press in the sides of the glove box, as the Haynes manual says, but to no avail. Wire to yellow connector has to be disconnected, as stated above.

 

The connectors are bolted to the blower housing.

If you can get under the dash to view the blower housing, you should be able to see the screw. Try a mirror.