Instructions for Blower Motor resistor and Ignition switch harness

[BIG-L]

I just wanted to make this a post, so when someone does a search they will come up with both of these problems since they can be related.We seem to get asked this alot.I wish this forum would have Stickys at the top of the page for questions that seem to get asked offten



http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...72#post2082872

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...ss#post2279687

[rubberman]

Invalid link BigL.

[BIG-L]

Thanks....they should be working now.

[rubberman]

you da man. Yeah someone needs to make this a sticky. I need to do this on the Montana too!

[marty.graw]

BIG-L provides a wealth of information here to fix the blower problem. I changed my resistor recently and then the ignition switch yesterday.

A must have tool to change the resistor is a flexible socket extension. it can be purchased at Sears. instead of a solid rod type extension it is flexible like a spring. You can guide it to the hidden screws on the back side of the resistor module to loosen them, do not remove them completely.

In regard to the ignition switch here is the step by step of what I did. First you will need the two small nut drivers mentioned by BIG-L above from Sears. My local Sears had discontinued them and only had the 5/32 and I could not find them anywhere else. I estimated that the male torx head of the screw was equivalent to a T-20 torx bit. I found a T-20 torx deck screw and the male screw head fit the female screw head perfectly. I had a piece of 1/4" stainless steel tubing and screwed the torx screw into the hole in the end of it. I bent the other end to form a handle and used it as a wrench to remove the screws. If you don't have tubing available probably copper tubing or a wood dowel rod would work as the wrench handle. Another must have tool is a mechanic's telescopic mirror. This tool will allow you to see around the back side of some of the electrical plugs and aid in the removal of them with out having to get in awkward positions to do so.

Ignition switch removal on a 1998 Grand Prix with tilt steering:

BEFORE BEGINING THIS REPAIR REMOVE THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL FROM THE BATTERY. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO DO THE REPAIR WITHOUT DOING THIS.

Look inside the slot where the tilt steering knob is located. There is a black metal piece where the knob inserts into the tilt mechanism. Pry it back slightly with a small screwdriver. One from an electronics tool set will work. While you have it pried, pull the knob out and it should release.

Remove the two screws from the bottom of the steering column cover and remove the cover.

Remove the two screws that hold the top steering column cover in place.

Insert the ignition key into the key cylinder and turn the key clockwise to the start position. Nothing will happen because you have disconnected the battery prior to starting this project. Lift the top steering column cover being careful not to break it because it is still held in place by the ignition key cylinder. You will see with your mirror near the back end of the cylinder housing a small hole. Stick a small allen wrench in the hole, this will release the key cylinder so that it can be pulled out. Once the key cylinder is removed the column top cover is free to be removed.

The black box below the key cylinder with all of the wires coming out of it is the ignition switch that you are changing. Look at the switch you have purchased for this repair. Notice that the small white plug with two wires attached has a tab on the side that can be pushed down, this is the release for the plug-in. Using your mirror you will see that plug-in against the ignition switch housing where it plugs in. Using a small screw driver press the release tab in against the plug and rotate the plug 90 degrees to the right to remove it. To do otherwise may break the plug.

Remove the plug from the white key release device by inserting a small screw driver and pressing the release tab on it.

Undo the two screws holding the ignition switch.

Undo the plug at the opposite end of the ignition switch by unscrewing the bolt in the center of the plug and unplugging it.

There is a black wiring plug on top and a gray one on the bottom of the ignition switch plug that need to be removed. This is done by prying the center of the plug case where it meets the ignition harness plug while sliding it forward.

Cut any tywraps holding the wire harness in place and feed it out of the dash.

To install do the reverse of the above, and tywrap the new harness into place. Be sure to properly align the key cylinder when replacing it in the housing and if the key will not come out of the cylinder there is a silver key release button at the bottom of the white device in front of the ignition switch. Press it and the key will come out. Also when replacing the ignition switch make sure that the slot in the switch is properly aligned with the corresponding part on the steering column that fits in the slot.