My blower quit working, first the low settings, then all of them. I know this is "normal". But I had a guy look at it and he told me to replace the whole motor, but everything I've read says replace the "resistor". So anyway I was trying to do it myself and there is a black electric box that hangs over part of the motor so that I cant remove it and I cannot figure out how to take the box down. It has two sets of wiring plugged into it and I wasn't going to unplug them. But I did loosen two bolts off the motor to see if I could jimmy it out (unsuccessfully), and ice fell out of it!! Is this really bad? I know that my car has water leaks and If I had to guess I would say isn't that what is constantly causing everyone's resistors to short out? Any HELP PLEASE.

Well to update, I changed the blower and it didn't help. Found the resistor and it is like a circuit board and it was completely broken off! Couldn't even find the other half. So replaced it now I have a blower but the highest speed doesn't work? Anyone know why?

I had the same problem with my '00 after replacing the resister it fixed everything. thanks for posting!

My blower quit working, first the low settings, then all of them. I know this is "normal". But I had a guy look at it and he told me to replace the whole motor, but everything I've read says replace the "resistor". So anyway I was trying to do it myself and there is a black electric box that hangs over part of the motor so that I cant remove it and I cannot figure out how to take the box down. It has two sets of wiring plugged into it and I wasn't going to unplug them. But I did loosen two bolts off the motor to see if I could jimmy it out (unsuccessfully), and ice fell out of it!! Is this really bad? I know that my car has water leaks and If I had to guess I would say isn't that what is constantly causing everyone's resistors to short out? Any HELP PLEASE.


I had same problem with my 99 Alero and mine was under warranty... Changed a $20.00 resistor or whatever, located just next to the radio, under the dash... Don't know how to remove but told it would probably happen again so get used to it... This, from my brother who just happens to be chief mechanic at a Oldsmobile dealership... is because this "resistor" is located directly under the air conditioning hoses which make condensation when used in the summer... therefore, condensation drips onto the resistor and "Kaboom"... No recall and nothing to do but replace resistor!!! Hope this helps????

My '98 Malibu has the same stuff. 3 weeks ago it sounded like a lizard was being chewed up inside the blower fan (probably was). A/C stopped completely. Next day, everything is just fine, and has been since. Can't tell you how many times the "control panel" (resistor) has stopped functioning normally on other occasions.

The Bu and Alero are CLOSE relatives.

But does anyone know why replacing the resistor did not fix the highest speed on the blower?

When the highest speed setting doesn't work, I would replace the console switch. That setting carries the most current and is the only setting that doesn't feed through the resistor.

But does anyone know why replacing the resistor did not fix the highest speed on the blower?

Check the fuse for the high blower.
It's located in the fuse/relay box under the hood, close to the windshield, on the driver's side.
I can't remember which number it is, but you can find it quite easily using the map on the lid of the box.

EDIT: I incorrectly typed "resistor" when I meant to type "fuse"

My blower quit working, first the low settings, then all of them. I know this is "normal". But I had a guy look at it and he told me to replace the whole motor, but everything I've read says replace the "resistor". So anyway I was trying to do it myself and there is a black electric box that hangs over part of the motor so that I cant remove it and I cannot figure out how to take the box down. It has two sets of wiring plugged into it and I wasn't going to unplug them. But I did loosen two bolts off the motor to see if I could jimmy it out (unsuccessfully), and ice fell out of it!! Is this really bad? I know that my car has water leaks and If I had to guess I would say isn't that what is constantly causing everyone's resistors to short out? Any HELP PLEASE.
Did HIGH speed work befor you changed the resistor ?, Sound like you
have a Blower Relay problem(located in underhood junction/fuse box) this
controls HIGH SPEED only, resistor controls 1-2-3- settings.

I am having the exact problem, I replaced the resistor and now have all the speeds except for the highest speed, did you ever figure it out?

Hi, I am having this exact issue, how do I go about replacing the resister???

Sorry guys but this is an old thread and should not have been resurrected. I recommend starting a new thread addressing your issue. Thread closed.