99 malibu ac/electrical problems

[cperez1278]

99 malibu...everytime ac was turned on - fuse would blow...then all of my guages would not work...replaced whole unit inside that has all the controls/dials on it for the heating and ac and stuff - thinking that something inside that unit was causing the fuse to blow - well it wasnt that...then replaced the relay...that worked for about 30 minutes - then the fuse blew again. Any ideas.

[bearcatdon]

Originally Posted by cperez1278

99 malibu...everytime ac was turned on - fuse would blow...then all of my guages would not work...replaced whole unit inside that has all the controls/dials on it for the heating and ac and stuff - thinking that something inside that unit was causing the fuse to blow - well it wasnt that...then replaced the relay...that worked for about 30 minutes - then the fuse blew again. Any ideas.

Your compressor may be causing the short. Does the problem occur if you only put the heat on without the A/C?

[cperez1278]

As far as I know, it only happens when the a/c is on or the defrost. Is there a risitor between the plugs?

[bearcatdon]

I need to step back for a minute. I've been doing some assumption that I probably shouldn't have. I reread your posting and need clarification. What is the exact fuse and relay that burns out and where are they located.

[cperez1278]

Off the top of my head - I think it is fuse 16...the fuse that controls the heat control module, fuel and temp guage. The relay was the AC clutch relay (or something like that). They are located in external fuse box under the hood on the driver's side.
Thanks for your help.

[cperez1278]

I spoke to the neighbor today - he seems to think that it could be the body control module...I dont even know where that is or what it looks like ... with my dad out of town for another month - I am really stuck and appreciate all of your help.

[e2helper]

Everyone blames the body control module

It isn't fuse 16 - item #16 underhood is a relay for the A/C compressor. More likely it is fuse #37. Is that the one??

If so then it only feeds a few items. The BCM (but if that was causing problem then it would be blowing every time you turned on ignition) and the A/C compressor relay. Since the fuse only blows when you turn the A/C compressor on then likely the original recommendation from other poster is correct - either the AC compressor clutch itself or the wiring to the AC compressor clutch is shorted out. If you were able to get under vehicle and disconnect the wiring to the AC compressor and then try turning on the AC you could isolate if it was the wiring or the compressor. If you were to find fuse still blowing when you disconnect AC compressor I would next suggest removing the AC COMP Diode in the Underhood Electrical Center on the off chance that it is shorted out. Its location is shown on back cover of fuse center just like the fuses and relay.

[bearcatdon]

Originally Posted by e2helper

Everyone blames the body control module

It isn't fuse 16 - item #16 underhood is a relay for the A/C compressor. More likely it is fuse #37. Is that the one??

If so then it only feeds a few items. The BCM (but if that was causing problem then it would be blowing every time you turned on ignition) and the A/C compressor relay. Since the fuse only blows when you turn the A/C compressor on then likely the original recommendation from other poster is correct - either the AC compressor clutch itself or the wiring to the AC compressor clutch is shorted out. If you were able to get under vehicle and disconnect the wiring to the AC compressor and then try turning on the AC you could isolate if it was the wiring or the compressor. If you were to find fuse still blowing when you disconnect AC compressor I would next suggest removing the AC COMP Diode in the Underhood Electrical Center on the off chance that it is shorted out. Its location is shown on back cover of fuse center just like the fuses and relay.

E2....you the man. :cheers1:

My cheers smillie didn't work oh well.

[cperez1278]

Thanks guys. I really appreciate all of your help. I will let you know what happens.

[cperez1278]

Thanks guys. I really appreciate all of your help. I am such a girly girl when it comes to this stuff - I hope that I can get this taken care of this weekend - I will let you know what happens.