2001 Impala AC Problem

My 2001 Impala has developed (this morning) a problem with the HVAC Blower. The Blower only works when the speed setting is placed on 5 (HI). 1-4 there is no fan action at all. I have heard that it could be an HVAC blower relay problem and just need a replacement. According to the manual there are three possible fuses/relays that could be the problem. Anyone else had trouble with this? Any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks,
GC2004 :screwy:

I have heard of this problem several times. A friend of mine had his blower replaced 3X! Hopefully you are still under warranty as Chevy will know of this problem.

I know what is wrong with your blower, the same thing happened to me and it was an easy fix. Go to your chevrolet dealer and ask them about a resistor for the blower motor. I had it fixed and it was pretty cheap, like 20 bucks. If you want me to, i can pull the reciept from it and possiblely get you a part number for it....

my email is bermis519@aol.com

let me know,
mike

Thanks for the reply. Is/was your Impala a 2001? If so, where is the resistor relay box located that needs replacing or did you have the dealer do the install? I am fairly handy at small fix'em up projects, but anything to complex I leave to the experts.

I will email this post to you as well.


Thanks,
Aaron

Well I have had it with Chevy! :banghead: I took my Impala down to the local dealer, to have the blower resistor replaced. I had called my local garage and described the symptom and he immediately said "oh it is the blower resistor-easy fix" but admitted he had to mechanics out sick and was backlogged so he wouldn't be able to work on it this week. I called the local Chevy Dealer (the only one in Bloomington, IN) and described the same symptoms to their tech manager. He said " Yeah it's the blower resistor, we see it all the time and stock the part". I asked him how much, he said $35 for parts and $100 for labor.

I scheduled an appointment for this morning to have it fixed as I am going on a trip this weekend. I just called to find out if it was done....and LOW and BEHOLD the dealer found out it wasn't just the resistor. They said it is the control module and instead of my $135 bill it is going to be $450. Everytime I take any of my Chevy's to these guys it is always something else than expected. I wanted to have a simple tune-up done on my old CK1500 (plugs/wires checked plus timing) they quoted me $425, I had the work done at a Local Goodyear mechanic garage for $150 and the truck never ran better.

Next time I think I am buying a Mitsubishi. At least I know I can't get anything fixed cheap there.

As for now, I guess I get to take the 10 month old on a 6 hour road trip with only high on the AC. Good thing it is supposed to be the warmest weekend so far this year.


:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

AW

Well the weekend wasn't to bad. HVAC still not fixed though. I am taking it to a local garage tomorrow. The mechanic there still thinks its just a resistor as everyone I have talked to has said. The dealer of course still thinks its some $450 :screwy: control module which it might be. But the way they treated me while I was there on Friday, means I will spend $600 with the local mechanic and get the fix rather than pay them the $450+ to get it done. I also have a report in on them with Chevroler Customer Care (like that will do any good, but I feel better having vented) explaining the treatment and the problem. If my mechanic fixes this problem with the resistor like he thinks he can, at least I will have the gratification of reporting the Crooks to the Better Business Bureau. Again it will make me feel better at least.

Thanks for the help. I will post again once it is resolved. If anyone else has input please post.

Thanks,
AW :swear:

Well I now have my Impala back from my independent mechanic. After much debate with the dealer mechanic who insisted that it was a control unit and would cost $450 to replace I have replaced just the resistor that we all thought was the issue and the HVAC blower works great so far. The total was:
$35.50-Diagnostic Check
$51.49-Resistor
$71.00-Labor
Total: $167.85 (Much better than $450)

3 cheers to the Firestone Service Center for quickly, honestly and inexpensively fixing my GM problem. I have filed a complaint (not that it will do any good) with GM Link and the Local BBB regarding the Dealer trying to milk me for almost $300 more than necessary.
Thanks for all your advice and posts.

AW

Well it has gotten better! Now the local dealer is accusing me of refusing service on the Bad Resistor! They told me that it wasn't the resistor ($150 parts/labor+tax) but instead the Front Control Module ($450+tax). When I had the resistor replaced elsewhere and complained to GM directly I recieved an email back stating that GM contacted the dealer and was told I refused the service when they told me it WAS just the resistor.
I guess they think I am stupid, because I received a quote copy from the Service associate that states that I need a new Front Control Module for $319 + labor and tax. Unreal!

At least my independent was competent enough to fix the correct part and charge $168 for the work. Good thing I like the car in general and now the HVAC is working correctly I am happy again :) .

Too Bad GM cannot support it's owners when blatently they are being ripped off locally.

Thanks for all the posts and emails.

AW

Hi Glock !

I really hate to hear you are having some troubles with your Impala.

[quote]
"Next time I think I am buying a Mitsubishi. At least I know I can't get anything fixed cheap there."

:2cents:
I have over thirty years now in the automotive service industry as a certified tech with most of those years in dealerships but as an independant owner/operator for the past eight years now I have the pleasure of working on everything out there. The new Impalas are truly great cars in my opinion and yet, like ALL cars, they too will tear up from time to time. My wife has a 93 Honda, and as good as they are, even it is starting to give trouble. I drive a VW that constantly needs something, and my Mitsubishi Montero just dropped a valve. Speaking of which...how about spending almost eight hundred dollars at the dealership to have the spark plugs replaced and a water pump and timing belt on a 3.5 Montero. Cheap huh? :grinno:

Mine is an older Montero with the 4 cyl. so it is only costing me around eight hundred bucks to replace the cylinder head with a rebuilt one and new timing chains. That is just for some parts...no labor...I get to provide that on my own time. :naughty:

I have over seven years experience at a Mitsubishi Dealership and believe me there's nothing any cheaper to work on about them than anything else out there. They make okay products but I'd much rather spend my hard earned pay on a Honda, Toyota, or Nissan than a Jap car that is only worth about half what you paid for it new after you drive it off the lot. I'm saving my money up to buy a new Impala next year because GM has finally caught up with the rest of the world with product quality. As a matter of fact, in the latest customer survey, the new Chevy Monte Carlo was rated as one of the most trouble free cars currently built.

Oh yeah...one more thing...there are good and bad car dealers and service departments out there everywhere just like any other business, and even the good ones have lots of bad days. Don't we all?
Just my thoughts on the subject. :rolleyes:
Dude :smokin:

All smiles now! I happen to love the car too (although it probably doesn't sound like it here) that is why I have been trying to get it fixed right. The local dealer is the problem. Here they are a monopoly. They all but two of the GM dealerships in town, most of the used car lots are partly owned by them and someone told me today that they are partners in the FORD dealership too. Basically you cannot aviod them when having work done. I would never buy a foreign vehicle, the quote was just a sarcastic venting of my feelings at the time, i.e. "I know I can't get anything fixed cheap there". The dealer tried to rip me off for about $300, I called them on it and the accused me of refusing the service when I had copies of their quote on the $450 worth of work they said needed done. Oh well, at least I can drive north for about an hour and find some reputable Chevy dealers.

Thanks for the response (yes it was the resistor pack and my local independent mechanic took care of me for $168).

Thanks,
AW :iceslolan