YACT: Low Fan Settings Don't Work

[t0mmyb0y]

2000 Pontiac Grand Prix SE
~75,000 miles

So as the title says, all of the settings on my vents stopped working except the "5" setting, which is the maximum rate. Consequently, I either get blasted with cold/warm air or I live with the ambient temperature (not always good in Pittsburgh).

I took it to Pep Boys, and they wanted $73/hr just to take a look (claimed it had to be electrical work). I'd hate to pay that kind of money and then have them tell me they can't fix it or something. So my questions are:

1.) Anyone seen this problem, perhaps know of a solution that I could suggest to the mechanic?
2.) Is $73 about right for electrical work?

TIA,

Tom

 

The resister pack which reduces the voltage to the fan blower on the lower settings has failed, easy replacement, crawl under your dash and look for this, it will be found bolted to the duct work close to where the fan (blower) is mounted.
It may be mounted on the ductwork under your hood as well, I cannot remember off hand.

This is a common problem and a easy cheap fix you can do yourself.
Just so you know, it is bolted to the ductwork for cooling purposes.

 

[StageLeft]

I had a car that would do 1,2,3, but not 4, so I've heard of it before. I never looked into it, but I can't imagine it's hard. Surely your fan works - there is just a switch or resistor (like I know anything about electricity!) or something that needs to be replaced.

I didn't know people really brought cars to pepboys for labor :Q Find a local guy or the dealer

EDIT:

The resister pack which reduces the voltage to the fan blower on the lower settings has failed, easy replacement, crawl under your dash and look for this, it will be found bolted to the duct work close to where the fan (blower) is moiunted.

OMG! I was right - resistor. I got it

 

[t0mmyb0y]

Originally posted by: Roger
The resister pack which reduces the voltage to the fan blower on the lower settings has failed, easy replacement, crawl under your dash and look for this, it will be found bolted to the duct work close to where the fan (blower) is mounted.
It may be mounted on the ductwork under your hood as well, I cannot remember off hand.

This is a common problem and a easy cheap fix you can do yourself.
Just so you know, it is bolted to the ductwork for cooling purposes.

I'll give that a shot and let you know how it goes. Any idea where the best place to buy a replacement part is? (dealership?)

About pepboys, the one near me has "13 service bays" plastered in big bold red letters on the side, so somone must be using it. I think back in Detroit the pepboys were more like Autozone, where they are mainly just a parts supplier, but here it seems different.

 

I'll give that a shot and let you know how it goes. Any idea where the best place to buy a replacement part is? (dealership?)

Considering how new the vehicle is, your local auto parts store might not carry an aftermarker replacement part for it yet, you can give then a try though, if they do not carry it, you will have to pay a visit to your local dealership.

NEVER, NEVER, EVER have your vehicle diagnosed or repaired at Poop Boys, they hire 18 year olds who have no experiance and charge waaaaaay too much for thier parts and labor.

 

[t0mmyb0y]

NEVER, NEVER, EVER have your vehicle diagnosed or repaired at Poop Boys, they hire 18 year olds who have no experiance and charge waaaaaay too much for thier parts and labor.[/quote]

Well sh*t, I just had them change my oil (I thought $23.44 wasn't a bad out-the-door price) and drain and fill my coolant ($39.99 good or bad?) Being from Detroit, you'd think I wouldn't be so car-clueless...

 

[lobadobadingdong]

Originally posted by: t0mmyb0y
NEVER, NEVER, EVER have your vehicle diagnosed or repaired at Poop Boys, they hire 18 year olds who have no experiance and charge waaaaaay too much for thier parts and labor.

Well sh*t, I just had them change my oil (I thought $23.44 wasn't a bad out-the-door price) and drain and fill my coolant ($39.99 good or bad?) Being from Detroit, you'd think I wouldn't be so car-clueless... [/quote]That's general maintenance, not repair...and those are the average prices for those maint. requests.

 

[t0mmyb0y]

Originally posted by: lobadobadingdong

Originally posted by: t0mmyb0y
NEVER, NEVER, EVER have your vehicle diagnosed or repaired at Poop Boys, they hire 18 year olds who have no experiance and charge waaaaaay too much for thier parts and labor.

Well sh*t, I just had them change my oil (I thought $23.44 wasn't a bad out-the-door price) and drain and fill my coolant ($39.99 good or bad?) Being from Detroit, you'd think I wouldn't be so car-clueless...

That's general maintenance, not repair...and those are the average prices for those maint. requests.[/quote]


Ahh thanks, I'll keep this all in mind next time something goes wrong. I'll update on the blower resistor replacement tomorrow.

 

[t0mmyb0y]

Just in case I can't find the blower motor resistor, does anyone happen to know where it is on a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix? If not, where could I find out? Would Poop boys have the service manual there for reference? I am not about to purchase the manual...

 

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