blower motor 1997 dodge dakota

"r harris, yes you do. here is more about that. try this from the service manual:

""REMOVAL

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS,DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

The blower motor is located on the passenger side of the vehicle under the dash

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

(2) Unplug the blower motor wire harness connector (Fig. 3).

(3) Remove the three screws that secure the blower motor and wheel assembly to the HVAC housing.

(4) Rotate and tilt the blower motor unit as needed for clearance to remove the blower motor and wheel from the HVAC housing.

INSTALLATION

(1) Align and install the blower motor and wheel assembly into the HVAC housing.

(2) Install the three mounting screws and tighten to 2.2 N·m (20 in. lbs.).

(3) Plug in the blower motor wire harness connector.

(4) Connect the battery negative cable.""

If you want to change the blower motor resistor you just have to remove the two screws and the wiring harness that connect to it, but you have to loosen the dash enough to tilt it back by about 6 inches to gain access to the resistor. Attached is the part of the service manual that deals with the blower motor and resistor Dakota HVAC and here are the steps for the dash removal Dakota Dash"

Yes, unfortunately, I believe you will have to remove the dash and the heater housing to service the blower motor.