Chevrolet: Malibu interior fan resistor failure symptom, failure symptom, fan blower

Question
98 Malibu LS V6 Engine 3100
I've read interior fan resistor controlling fan blower motor speed and located passenger side is cause for loss of variable speeds 1 & 2.  We've lost 3 & 4 as well -- only 5 works; I located it last night and disconnected the connector to the resistor and fan control switch on dash still works on '5'.  Is this still definitely pointing to the fan resistor ?  I didn't think the fan should work at all with the wires disconnected from the resistor.  thanks. Gary

Answer
I dont think it will work with the resistor unplugged. Are you sure that it was the resistor that you unplugged. It is between the blower motor and the firewall.
Either way, the resistor is your problem. The new one may look different because of a design change.