-
SE Level Member
09-08-2016
Hi. First off: I'm new here, but I'm not really a newbie GPer (used to post at GPONA). I'm an "advanced amateur" when it comes to fixing stuff of this car.
Anyway, onto my problem. I noticed on my way home that my HVAC blower was actiing a bit strange (2004 GP GT). It wasn't wildly flucutating, but the speed of the fan was varying a little. I stopped the car for a few minutes, and then upon re-starting my trip, the fan was totally inoperable....nothing at any speed (no matter if A/C on/off...I know, that doesn't matter).
I opened up the vent on top (where the cabing filter goes), and the blower fan spins freely. I then open the "kickplate" shield in the passenger footwell to access the fan from below. I pulled the electrical connector, and tested the output with a multi-meter. I can't remember / didn't write down the values, but power was flowing (both voltage and current increased as the fan speed was turned to a higher and higher selection). Again, I'm not sure if there are particular power specs that should be reaching the fan, so all I know is that power was going to the unit, and turning up the dial did turn up the "juice".
My initial suspects were fuse (checked it first....OK), blower motor (main suspect), and blower resistor (not sure if the GP has this problem, but two other GM cars that I had of similar age went throught those things all the time). The power going to the motor suggest that it is simply the motor that is dead....at least to my less-than-expert eyes.
Any thoughts? Do you think I'm on the right track?
If it is the blower motor, does it simply unbolt and come out from below, or do you have to remove more of the dash to get it out. It looks like it will come out without too much hassle, but you never know.
Thanks!
-
#2
Re: HVAC blower fan quit
GXP Level Member
09-08-2016
If you can smack it it's usually the blower motor. )4+ don't really have a blower resistor, it's actually a motor speed control and I just recently had to cut the plug off remove the module, take it apart and re solder some of the pins and reinstall it. It seemed to just stop and start on it's own. I had replaced the blower motor the previous year and usually run the AC year around (well maybe a few weeks we don't). Anyway the plug was melting and the contacts were no longer making contact with the pins so I had to clean them up. I ended up just using 1/8" spade lugs and opening them a bit to make them fit since I didn't want to pay $35 for another connector and but a control module as well. It's been working great for the last few weeks since I did that. So check those out and see what's going on.
Jeff
An engine is an engine no matter the size.... I think Dr. Seuss said that... or maybe it was Big Weld....
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
#3
Re: HVAC blower fan quit
SE Level Member
09-08-2016
Yeah, after I wrote the initial post, I went on RockAuto and saw the control module part. In an different car, I had problems with the resistor overheating and melting the plastic on the connector from time to time...that was a pain.
It looks like I can get the motor and control module for about $135 (GM parts, not others). If I can't get it to work with your suggestions, I'll probably just order them, as that's not too much.
I also have a GTP (same year), so I could just try to swap the motor from it over to see if that's the problem. I didn't want to dive in and try to remove right away, though, until I got some advice here. Maybe I'll try that on the weekend.
Thanks!
-
#4
Re: HVAC blower fan quit
GXP Level Member
09-08-2016
Just kick it with the blower in the on position, if it starts turning or you can feel it humming the motor is toast.
Jeff
An engine is an engine no matter the size.... I think Dr. Seuss said that... or maybe it was Big Weld....
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
#5
Re: HVAC blower fan quit
SE Level Member
09-08-2016
Turned it to full power, then whacked twice with a rubber mallet...........and it came to life.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
#6
Re: HVAC blower fan quit
GrandPrix Junkie
09-08-2016
Mine had the same symptoms. It would start strong and slowly fade.
It pulled this during a wet snowstorm, in the middle of traffic, in a school zone.
Buy a new one. I bought a TYC off Amazon for 45.
It works great but makes a cute annoying whirring noise. But whatever.
-
#7
Re: HVAC blower fan quit
GXP Level Member
09-08-2016
I just bought one from Autozone for about the same price. I wish it was like the trucks and was just a push and turn to mount and dismount.
An engine is an engine no matter the size.... I think Dr. Seuss said that... or maybe it was Big Weld....
-
#8
Re: HVAC blower fan quit
SE Level Member
09-17-2016
I finally got the new part installed. 10-minutes job, at most.
I splurged and bought the AC Delco part. However, I wonder if it isn't made by the same people who make the aftermarket ones, because it also has the "cute annoying whirring noise."
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes