Heater Motor Resistor

[1999montana]

Here's an FYI for all,

Last oil change, when I backed the van out of the garage, I noticed that the heater was not blowing any air out the vents. It wouldn't work on 1, 2 or 3 but would on 4 and 5.

Figuring it had to be the resistor, I proceeded (in ever reducing daylight!) to remove the dash kick panels and the heater motor to get more access to the resistor. A flexible shaft 3/8 would help, but unfortunately there isn't a lot of room between the screws and the floor pan to get a good socket on them. Small channel locks are useless, as are small vise grips. I used a small ignition set to loosen the screws and the resistor slides out past the two back screws as long as you remove the one closest to you. It took me about a half hour (in a very awkward position) to remove the resistor.

Fortunately our Chev / Olds dealer a block or so away had one, in fact they stock these regularly...go figure...the new one actually looks like a heavy duty resistor with multiple taps to handle the different motor speeds.

Makes you wonder why GM didn't do it this way the first time, but then we already know the answer...easier to do it the cheap way and have it come back for repairs later. Great customer loyalty program...build it cheap so it will break more often.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by 1999montana

Here's an FYI for all,
Fortunately our Chev / Olds dealer a block or so away had one, in fact they stock these regularly...go figure...the new one actually looks like a heavy duty resistor with multiple taps to handle the different motor speeds.

Makes you wonder why GM didn't do it this way the first time, but then we already know the answer...easier to do it the cheap way and have it come back for repairs later. Great customer loyalty program...build it cheap so it will break more often.

So if that's the case, one can guess that the parts dept. also stocks a lot of intake gaskets,rear circuit boards for the taillights, power window switches, wiper parts, etc.

[kb0nly]

My 97 had the same problem when i bought it, and it is a super pain in the butt to replace.

Mine was one worse though, i replaced the blower motor resistor, it was charred from the failure, and it still wouldn't work on 3 but worked on 1,2,4,5... I had to also replace the blower motor switch to get it working correctly again. I figure it blew out when it was on position 3 and that pulled enough current through the switch to damage the contacts or something in there.

[redly1]

hey...do you recall what the part number for the heater motor resistor was?

[1999montana]

Originally Posted by redly1

hey...do you recall what the part number for the heater motor resistor was?

Why yes I do!....Prt # 89018643...atleast it is in Canada...fits my 99 TranSport...imagine it fits a number of other years as well.

I think you'll find this is a good number Stateside too...

[cdru]

If you can, go after market. It's likely the same manufacturer and usually will have at least the same warranty if not longer (mine was a year). It's also usually 1/2 the price.