2002 GTP Fan Problem

[KrainskiWJ]

My car just passed 70,000 miles, but before it did, the car decided that it would give me a "milestone gift", the fans in the passenger compartment stopped working. They were on earlier, during a shopping outing, went to one store, shut the car off, did my business, came back, fans not working. I think I can hear the AC compressor still, but the air vents no longer work in any mode. Neither AC/Heat, or just venting allows them to come on.

I will throw out the caveat that I am not exactly automotive savvy, but I know enough to screw it up. :-)

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[BNaylor]

Which climate control system do you have? Automatic/digital (ACC) or the dual zone manual? Did you check all HVAC system fuses?

And welcome to AF.

[KrainskiWJ]

Originally Posted by bnaylor

Which climate control system do you have? Automatic/digital (ACC) or the dual zone manual? Did you check all HVAC system fuses?

And welcome to AF.

Thanks for the welcome, sorry for the delay in responding.

I have the dual zone manual CCS. I think it is just the blower. I can hear the AC compressor come on, but the fan does not work at any level. I would like to check all of the fuses/relays, but am having difficulty locating all of them, and which, of the ones that I have found (under the hood), relate directly to the blower. The diagram provided in the fuse panel under the hood is kinda of warped, (I guess putting a plastic coated diagram in a space that gets hot is not the best thing, :-) ) But the labels I have been able to decipher all say Cooling Fan, I think there is only one that is labeled AC something or other, but that one is fine.

I have read in my data scrounging that relay failure can cause certain levels of the fan to stop working, but which relay controls which? And where can I find a freaking manual for this car?!?!? If I had that, I would feel better about troubleshooting this problem.

But thank you for your response, I will try to muddle my way through figuring out which fuse/relay/whatever controls what. Any other helpful advice you may have is greatly appreciated.

[BNaylor]

Since you have a manual HVAC the most common failure item is the blower motor resistor (BMR). Normally you lose position 1 - 4 but maintain 5 - high speed. However, a bad BMR can cause a loss in position 5 because the high speed blower relay is located on it.

It could be a blower motor but you can bench test it once removed by jumping 12 volts and a ground to the electrical connector. If the blower motor works then the BMR is bad or if blower doesn't spin then blower motor is bad.

BTW - Best manual is the GM FSM from Helm, Inc.

Note: Cooling fan relays and fuses like in the engine compartment fuse box are for the cooling system fans for the engine and not the climate control system.

[KrainskiWJ]

Originally Posted by bnaylor

Since you have a manual HVAC the most common failure item is the blower motor resistor (BMR)...

Thanks for the info, I will take a look at the BMR, if possible. I greatly appreciate the response.

Do you have a web-link for Helm Inc.?

[KrainskiWJ]

Originally Posted by KrainskiWJ

Thanks for the info, I will take a look at the BMR, if possible. I greatly appreciate the response.

Do you have a web-link for Helm Inc.?

Never mind, I got it, but thanks anyway! Hope it works, or in this case, does not work.

[richtazz]

While you're in there replacing the BMR, also install a cabin air filter. It will help keep moisture and dust/debris out of the HVAC system and extend the life of all related components. Ask for one for an 02 Buick Regal, as our GP's never came factory with one, but the spot is there for it. If you ask for one for a Grand Prix, the chain store "parts monkey" will not be able to find one for you in the computer.

[tblake]

Does my car have a place for a cabin air filter also? 2000 GTP? Where is it exactly? Thanks Tazz!!!!

[richtazz]

Yes it does tblake. It's under the front cowl assembly, so installing one isn't easy, but worth the effort. From under the hood, you have to remove the wiper arms and the cowl, then remove the panel covering the HVAC inlet. The filter sets in under the cover at the bottom of the cowl.

[BNaylor]

Actually Rich the wiper arm(s) isn't removed and it is fairly easy. I replace and/or clean 3 every year. With ignition to on just turn wipers on until they stand straight up and then turn ignition to off. Then just remove the passenger side plastic panel-cowl below the wiper. A few plastic push pin fasteners and I recall one plastic screw on fastener holds the cowl down and thats it. You'll see the slot for the filter. (See pic below). Although I personally don't like Bosch products I went them this time around on the cabin air filter. Less than $11.00. The AC Delco CF132 is too expensive.

[richtazz]

thanks for the clarification Bob. I was quoting a service proceedure given to me by a friend at a dealership. I have one that I've been too lazy to install in my car because of that fact (removing the wipers), so I guess I'll toss her in this weekend.

[KrainskiWJ]

Originally Posted by KrainskiWJ

Never mind, I got it, but thanks anyway! Hope it works, or in this case, does not work.

Thanks for the information, I did some checking as you suggested and it turns out that the BMR was the failure point. So, replaced and ready to roll.

Thanks for the help!!!

[KrainskiWJ]

Originally Posted by richtazz

While you're in there replacing the BMR, also install a cabin air filter. It will help keep moisture and dust/debris out of the HVAC system and extend the life of all related components. Ask for one for an 02 Buick Regal, as our GP's never came factory with one, but the spot is there for it. If you ask for one for a Grand Prix, the chain store "parts monkey" will not be able to find one for you in the computer.

Thanks for the advice, I will definitely look into that. Hopefully this will not occur again.

"Parts Monkey", heh heh, makes me laugh just thinking about it.