97 How to remove relays

[Fuzzplug Jones]

Hey there. I've got a 97 LeSabre with about 160k miles on it. A few weeks back, the AC/Vent fan started working intermittently, and now almost never turns on. I have the climate control system and it's showing that it's changing the fan speed based on temperature and the settings, but if the fan doesn't want to turn on it doesn't.

I asked at my local Autozone for a Haynes manual for it and the one they gave me was for all Buick/Pontiac/Olds C and H body types from 1992-2001. It says to remove and test the relays, but doesn't tell me *how*, which makes the thing kind of useless.

I got under the hood tonight and pulled off the firewall cover and checked some of the maxi fuses, but I couldn't get the relays out no matter what I tried. It seems that they have an angled tab that gets caught over a piece of plastic and locks it into place, but it seems to be oriented in the wrong direction (i.e. if I was able to unlock it at all it would go *toward* the firewall). There's also a green piece of plastic in that area that seems to be freely movable toward the firewall, but it seems to just want to fall out if you push it any further.

I'm not a car guy but if I can get the relays out I can test them and save myself some money at the mechanic. Can anyone tell me how to remove the relays?

[Smith1000]

I know what you are talking about. I couldn't quite figure out how they slide out the first time I pulled one on my 97. I haven't looked at one for awhile, but, from what I recall, the green tab thing is like a lock. I removed the green tabs and ditched them real quick. The relay then has to be released by gently using a screwdriver underneath. You have to gently pry up or down on the locking piece on the bottom (to release it) and pull out on the relay at the same time. Careful not to break the plastic. Once you figure out how to remove one, they are fairly easy to pull after that. The green pieces didn't really seem to have any real purpose. In fact, I don't believe there are any of them left on our Lesabres. Reinstalling is easy. They slide in and lock into place.

[imidazol97]

Originally Posted by Fuzzplug Jones

Hey there. I've got a 97 LeSabre with about 160k miles on it. A few weeks back, the AC/Vent fan started working intermittently, and now almost never turns on. I have the climate control system and it's showing that it's changing the fan speed based on temperature and the settings, but if the fan doesn't want to turn on it doesn't.

I asked at my local Autozone for a Haynes manual for it and the one they gave me was for all Buick/Pontiac/Olds C and H body types from 1992-2001. It says to remove and test the relays, but doesn't tell me *how*, which makes the thing kind of useless.

I got under the hood tonight and pulled off the firewall cover and checked some of the maxi fuses, but I couldn't get the relays out no matter what I tried. It seems that they have an angled tab that gets caught over a piece of plastic and locks it into place, but it seems to be oriented in the wrong direction (i.e. if I was able to unlock it at all it would go *toward* the firewall). There's also a green piece of plastic in that area that seems to be freely movable toward the firewall, but it seems to just want to fall out if you push it any further.

I'm not a car guy but if I can get the relays out I can test them and save myself some money at the mechanic. Can anyone tell me how to remove the relays?

The relays have a tab that catches on the spring part when they are pushed it. I used a steak knife to lift or push down, I forget. I had to ask the service manager at my dealer how to get them out.

If your car has the automatic temperature control with the digital readout showing fan speed, you have the blower control module that's controlling the fan speed. I don't believe there's any relay in that circuit.

if you have the manual AC with the 4 blower speed switch, you may have a relay on the lower speed circuit that feeds the resistor pack and a relay for sure on the high speed circuit. If you have the manual system and your blower works fine on high speed then you resistors are most likely the problem.

The resistors and the blower control module for the auto system are both on top of the housing where the blower motor is under the hood. They are in the air stream so they are cooled by the moving air. You can locate them by following the power lead from the blower motor up a few inches and onto the top of the housing. The relay center that's above that comes loose with one or two screws and then can be pushed up for more roomto remove either resistor pack or the blower control module.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k1...7/ru304gi2.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k1...stor1hr5-1.jpg

[Fuzzplug Jones]

Wow. I have a Buick dealership in the family, and you guys provided more info than them and the Haynes book combined! Guess I'd better just take the laptop out while I'm working!

I will take a look at these things and let you know. Yes i do have the automatic/computerized climate control.

[HotZ28]

With auto climate control (CJ2), disregard any service advice or procedure referring to relays, or resistors. The auto system uses a blower control module and is a self-contained speed control unit. Usually when the module fails, it will either allow the fan to run continuously, (even with ignition switch off), or not at all. Your sporadic symptoms are not consistent with a module failure. Your problem sounds more like the blower motor bearings are failing. The next time the fan will not run, bump it with a hammer to see if it will start. If so, replace the blower motor. Of course, you could have wiring or terminal damage where they connect to the module. You need to look at that also! In addition, if it is the blower motor it is not replaced soon, you will damage the control module. In case you do have to remove the module, the pic below will show you what it looks like and where it is located. BTW, the module (ACDELCO Part # 158684 #52470337) is now available @ Rock Auto for $109.79 Click Here for the info.

[Fuzzplug Jones]

Fantasic. Actually while you were posting those pics I was under the hood taking those very things apart.

I didn't take the control module out, because when I saw your message it occurred to me I'd better hammer on the fan. I put the car back together, started it, rolled the windows down, and set the climate control to 60 degrees, and watched the fan on the display go to full speed. Then had somebody hammer on the fan cover for a full minute and nothing. (I thought maybe I felt a very slight "puff" of air on one or two hits but it was probably just the air moving in the system.)

So since the fan actually hasn't come on in about a week, I'm thinking the fan motor died and took the control module with it after awhile.

It looks like there isn't a lot of clearance to get the blower cover off... is this one of those repairs where I'll have to take off a motor mount (i.e. take it to a mechanic)?

Thanks for all the help.

[HotZ28]

Disconnect the blower terminal and apply 12v directly to the fan motor where the purple wire connects. Be sure to ground the other terminal to a good chassis or motor ground, then see if it will run.