How hard is a blower motor to install?

[claimed4all]

How hard is a blower motor install?

I ask because I am stuck with what to do. The Dealer will install a new blower motor for the cost of parts only, 200 or 300 depending on which motor. They owe me because they serviced it awhile ago but did not replace it when I requested a replacement. I can buy an AcDelco someplace else for 150 or 200 depending on which model or I can buy an off brand for 55$. So I am unsure what to do here. Let me know, Thanks.

Also 2002 is the year it could have a cooling tube or it could not. Cooling tube was about 100$ more, anybody have any insight into that?

[Airjer_]

If its under the dash its 3 screws and about 10-30 minutes. If its under the hood there are 6 or 7 screws that hold the blower in place and sometimes the bar between the struts and some other items/brackets need to be removed. You can expect 30 minutes to an hour. Once you have the old one out you'll be able to compare it to the new one to make sure it is correct.

[claimed4all]

Well its under the dash, now the question is,

Should I go with GM Replacement or off brand replacement. My worry is the off brand could be louder, anybody have experience in this?

[imidazol97]

Originally Posted by claimed4all

How hard is a blower motor install?

I ask because I am stuck with what to do. The Dealer will install a new blower motor for the cost of parts only, 200 or 300 depending on which motor. They owe me because they serviced it awhile ago but did not replace it when I requested a replacement. I can buy an AcDelco someplace else for 150 or 200 depending on which model or I can buy an off brand for 55$. So I am unsure what to do here. Let me know, Thanks.

Also 2002 is the year it could have a cooling tube or it could not. Cooling tube was about 100$ more, anybody have any insight into that?

I agree with airjer about each motor. But underdash 2000+ be sure you're comfortable with working upside down lying across the seat so you can reach up under the dash. There's a hushpanel to take off with maybe 3 screws. Then you have three screws for the motor. But the motor is heavy to lift down and put new one up. You may have to peel back the carpet to give room for removal, but I did mine easily without that. Just twist and turn the motor and squirrel cage to use the geometry to wiggle it out and back in.

They all have cooling rubber tubes from the plenum back to the motor part. That was my only problem. I installed the motor. Got one screw in and held it to get another screw in. Then as I got the third one, I found the rubber cooling tube was squashed between the plate of the motor against the heater housing. So I had to remove all three screws to get it out. So watch the cooling tube. There probably is way to use something to help hold up the motor's weight as you try to fit the screws in, but I just worked until I got it.

What's happening with you motor that you think it needs replace? My 2003 wouldn't start until vibration or a shoe hit the heater box. Turns out one of the brushes was sticking in the slide and wouldn't stay in contact with the comutator.

Someone else said the problem was ground contact from the motor to the housing that barely made contact.

I bought an Autozone replacement for $139 which has a plastic housing instead of metal like the ACDelco original. Probably will outlast the car.

Check rockauto.com and gmpartsdirect.com for prices and discount. Shipping would be high due to weight of motor. $200-300 sounds high.

[claimed4all]

Well the motor will work after I hit it, are brushes replaceable in that motor? Everything I read says it more than likely the motor. For another few dollars I can get the ACdelco and have a dealership install it.

[imidazol97]

Originally Posted by claimed4all

Well the motor will work after I hit it, are brushes replaceable in that motor? Everything I read says it more than likely the motor. For another few dollars I can get the ACdelco and have a dealership install it.

When I pulled the motor housing off, the one brush was stuck until I tapped it.

I don't understand the dealer saying a motor with the cooling tube is $100 MORE. I know there seem to have been two motors early on... I'd do some checking.

Myself I like fixing things. However, I couldn't see an easy way to hold the brushes back while I put the motor housing back on. I already had the replacement motor in. Therefore, the old motor is a throwaway after 100,000 miles approx.

[claimed4all]

Also the parts guy said that they were out of stock of each but the more expensive one, cooling tube, he said he has never carried.

Take the cooling tube and not with a grain of salt, I have talked to many parts guys and some know there stuff and some don't,, this fella did not.

[Hapynzap]

We were hitting the heater with a rubber mallet until we could get it fixed this week on our 2002 with cooling tube. Got a replacement at NAPA for $139 and had my mechanic replace it for one hour labor $50 since I didn't want to fart with it.