QuestionQUESTION: We've noticed the fan on our 2006 Vibe no longer runs at lowest two speeds (four positions)... but we ran it on high or next lowest without problem.
After a week of 90 degree temps, we noticed yesterday only the highest speed is still running. Yikes! With a break in the heat this week, I'm worried that our AC will quit when we need it most!
In the past, I've replaced several (3) Toyota Corola blower fans (an AWFUL job of removing most of the dash to get to the screws!) with good success. However, I'm wondering if there's another approach to servicing this problem.
Is there another unit or controler that might be going bad? Rather than remove the fan motor, could there be some sort of resister/controller that needs to be replaced instead?
How difficult would this be to check or remove? Or, how much EASIER would this be to replace than tearing out the dash to find it's not what I assumed?
ANY help would be appreciated. My local auto salvage yards do not have a blower motor available yet. (I called around with no luck.)
Thanks.
ANSWER: Hi Kirk:
more then likely the issue is with the blower motor resitor. that is what the swicth on the dash runs and in turn the resitir runs the motor. if the motor will run on hi speed then the motor is not the issue unless it has a heavy draw on it cuaing the resitor to go bad. I have changed a lot of them on those cars and very few motors. The motors I have replaved were due to damage for rodents more so then anything else. You may be able to find a resistor aftermarket for this at one of the bigger car parts stores like Carquest or NAPA. the same part fits a corola/corola matrix. good luck :-}
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Did a quick ebay search and found multiple listings for a blower motor at various prices, but two entries for the resister, which started me thinking along the lines you had suggested.
Now the question is, WHERE do I find the resistor in my 2006 Pontiac Vibe to replace it? Is it under the dash? Behind the rotary speed switch? mounted on the blower motor? or elsewhere? Any hint on what I'm looking for will help. I'm fairly handy and dont mind hanging upside down to hunt under the dash, if I know what I'm looking for. How big is this, and what's it look like? Thanks.
AnswerIt's in the bottom of the heater case on the right side of the car under the glove box and to the left of the blower motor. All you will see is the screws that attach it to the case the resitor is up inside the heater box so the air flow from the motor can cool it down. all you will see is the connector and the screws that attach it. it's easy to change maybe a 15 minute job for a novice tops.
