A/C heater fan switch

[haditwithdodge]

My A/C and heater fan switch on my 96 LSI metro is broke, the switch just "freemoves" and i can tell something is disconnected but i dont know what is! i took the entire plate out after removing the nob and it's connetcted to a white mechanism that free spins also, the mystery is that i dont know what's connected to the switch, it should be a wire that hooks up to the fan motor located at the passenger's feet right? am i missing something? i want to look for parts but i don't know what part is missing. can anyone help? does any one know what the wire/switch looks like i just bought this car and it's frustrating to drive without a defroster. i live in seattle and it rains all the time and i need to connect my fan. i know that the heater works cause when i am cruising in the freeway i can feel the heat blowing through the vent...i just need the fan to work.
Thanks

[Woodie83]

The switch just falls apart, if caught early it can be held together with a wire tie. Sounds as if yours fell apart and some parts are missing. A trip to the junkyard may be in order. Meanwhile, find the connector that plugs into the back of the switch (that might be where the rest of your switch is) and jumper two of the terminals so you have some level of fan action.

[GM Line Rat]

Originally Posted by Woodie83

The switch just falls apart, if caught early it can be held together with a wire tie. Sounds as if yours fell apart and some parts are missing. A trip to the junkyard may be in order. Meanwhile, find the connector that plugs into the back of the switch (that might be where the rest of your switch is) and jumper two of the terminals so you have some level of fan action.

I had to repair Both the fan Switches in Both the 94 Metro's that I have (Had). Remove the knobs to the heater controls, Remove the plastic cover for the Radio/Heater controls, Then remove the screws to the heater control assembly and pull it out enough to gain access to the Black plastic fan switch assy. Turn the key in the forward start position, Turn the fan speed selector on, and "Squeeze" together the top and bottom parts of the fan switch assembly.......If you hear the Fan motor Start to Run......You've found your problem! These 2 pieces of the Fan motor Speed selector (Top and Bottom) are notorious for wearing, the slowly seperating in Half (They Snap Together) and loosing it's abilty to make a good connection inside the switch and run the fan motor.

The Fix:
If you can squeeze the 2 parts together and the fan runs:

1. Clean both the L an R sides of the fan switch assembly off good where they snap together.
2. Now get some good 2 part epoxy glue and a few toothpicks.
3. Get a pair of Small Needle Nose Vice Grips.
4. Open the Vice grips wide, then slip it over the 2 parts of the switch halfs that snap together......Then GENTLY Turn the knob on the vice grips and tighten them until you see both sides of the switch halfs close together and seat as they are suppose to.......DONT PRECLAMP THE VICE GRIPS, YOU MAY BREAK THE SWITCH CLAMPING DOWN ON IT!.
5. Find a place to rest the vice grips/switch assy.......Put your key back in and in the forward position, make sure you hear the fan running again?
6. If so, turn the key off, Mix up the 2 parts of your epoxy glue (50/50 Mix).
7. Then AFTER you have made sure (With a light) that both halves of the switch Assembly are being held together tight and flush, Apply the epoxy glue Only on the L&R Sides of the Switch Assembly with the toothpicks in a nice even layer (Not to thick either)....Dont apply the glue in front where the switch selector rod is at!
8. Once the glue is completely dry (Several Hrs to overnight), Remove the vice grips and RECHECK the fan operation Again before re-installing. If all is good.
9. Reinstall the whole assembly..........Your done!

I fixed Both of My Metros fan speed selector switches with this method. My Current Metro switch has been working for over 3 Years with out any more failures.....AC In the Summer and Heat in the Winter.

NOTE: If you remove your fan speed selector and find the parts in half....Look for a small ball bearing laying around that goes inside the switch. This is what makes the switch "Click" inside. It will have to be re-installed before the switch halves can be snapped together again. Clean the ball bearing up 1st, then Put a "Light" coat of white lithium grease on the ball before re-installing. If you cant find all the parts-------> a trip to the junkyard is in order as Woody has stated!

[haditwithdodge]

Good advice there it seems like you had that problem b4, i dont see the bottom portion of the switch, so i need to take a trip to the junk yard. I dont think there is a new part in AutoZone for replacement. If you can get me a picture of the missing compoenent it'll be great but i know that's hard.

[haditwithdodge]

valuable info..i know what my problem is i just got a new used switch from the junk yard for 10$ and it seems that the clips for the seating surface is loose so it doesn't work until you apply pressure so my next project is to glue it together. if it doesn't hold the guy at the junk yard will sell me the whole climate control assy for 25$ and i still get credit for the switch.
Thanx

[91Caprice9c1]

Excellent input GM!

-MechanicMatt

[dennybam]

Originally Posted by haditwithdodge

valuable info..i know what my problem is i just got a new used switch from the junk yard for 10$ and it seems that the clips for the seating surface is loose so it doesn't work until you apply pressure so my next project is to glue it together. if it doesn't hold the guy at the junk yard will sell me the whole climate control assy for 25$ and i still get credit for the switch.
Thanx

When installing the new switch be gentle plugging the wires in to it, hold the top and bottom of the switch sandwiched between your fingers with pressure, or the switch can fall apart in your hands, and it is an art to putting it back together again!