2001 Malibu - Multiple problems

[calvinbq]

I have a couple problems that I hope someone out there may have seen before. I'll go from oldest to newest.

1) Problem with heat/AC. Only when I turn the dial to 5 (full blast) do the fans come on. Otherwise, with the dial on 'off', the vent is closed, with the dial on 1-4, the vent is open, but the fans aren't going, and at 5 it operates normally on full blast. I figure it is either a problem with the dial or the fuse. Not sure which to replace first or if I should look somewhere else.

2) Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 tries to start the car. It always starts, but not always on the first try. I usually have to turn the key for 2-3 seconds. It is very touchy too because it will make that horrible ignition grinding sound like it is already turned on... Sometimes it will make that horrible screaching sound and not even start.

3) In the last few days I've had power issues on startup. It only affects the circuit with the stereo and the headlights. Power stearing and heat/AC is not affected. After turning on the car, the stereo and headlights might not power on for up to 15-20 seconds. The time frame has consistently been getting longer and longer over the past week or so. Once on, however, the power never flickers or fades. It only has a problem on startup and it only happens every other time or every third time.

Anyone seen these problems before?

Thanks!

[maxwedge]

Welcome to AF. Clean and tighten all the grounds and battery cables for starters. This grinding noise sounds like the engine is running and the starter stays engaged or as it cranks the starter clutch is not engageng the flywheel, someone should check this out on site for you. The fan issue sounds like a bad blower resistor /relay, which is mounted on the blower case behind the glove box, again this should be checked out.