2002 Chevrolet Malibu Blower Speeds Fail

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RYANUNI
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My girlfriends 2002 malibu's fan control only works on 4 and 5. 1 and 2 went first and then 3. I have heard of others that have had this problem, I have taken apart the switch and that seems fine. In my hunt I have heard it could be a blower motor resistor. If that is the problem where is it? How do I get to it and is it simple to replace.
Mar 10, 2007 at 3:27 AM
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CHEVY22
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yes , the blower resistor is the problem , open the passenger door and look under the dash way under , you will only be able to see the harness connector and 2 7mm screws , take them out and your done, the resistor will have burn marks on it , very simple and fairly cheap repair
Mar 10, 2007 at 3:34 AM
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RYANUNI
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I am having a little trouble seeing exactly what you are talking about I can see two groups of wires running into the dash, one near passenger center and one near the center console, will I need to remove any plastic panels to see this?
Mar 10, 2007 at 5:01 AM
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CHEVY22
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no , it will be right below the blower mtr wich is on the right side , one inch by abot three inches two 7mm bolts
Mar 10, 2007 at 7:31 AM
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RYANUNI
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yep, removed the plastic under-dash and found it pinned up against the firewall. Took quite some time, new tools, and a nearly dislocated shoulder to remove the screw closest to the firewall but I got it swapped. New one was less than $30 bucks and it works fine. Thanks for the dead on diagnosis!
Mar 11, 2007 at 9:25 AM
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CHEVY22
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no problem , im glad you got it ,
Jim
Mar 11, 2007 at 9:49 AM
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KYSSHUS
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My question pertains to a similar problem that Ryanuni experienced with his Malibu....
I have a 1997 3.1V6 Malibu, 134,000km. My Fan is not blowing to its fullest potential. In the summer and in the winter my cold & hot air is not blowing to its full FORCE. Is there something loose inside? For example, I can barely feel the air blowing at 1,2,3; when I have the air set to 4 or 5, it doesn't blow HOT/COLD ENOUGH. Would this problem be expensive to fix? For months, I've been trying to figure-out what the problem is with my fan, can you help me? Also, my AC button keeps shutting on/off randomly when I try to set my air condition function on, how can this be fix?
Jun 16, 2007 at 9:53 AM
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DARANGOO
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I have the same problem. Fan control works on 5 but have to play with the nob to get the ac to come on with lower numbers. Had the dealer replace the control unit for 1500 dollars and 2 months later ! Now the same problem. I wonder if they even replaced the unit at all!I couldn't do without our car for another 3 days and go through the trouble with the dealer and insurance company so my wife has lived with the problem for a couple years now. Now its gotten worse. when I push the inside air button it will not stay on and goes back the the outside air button automatically. The 5 setting is the only one that works the AC now. Can the resistor be cauing this? Please help! I also have a problem with the batteries not lasting 2 years on this car now. Had to replace it 3 weeks ago and 2 weeks later the battery went dead. Took the autonator off and had it checked and its ok. I suspect the starter but am not sure. could the starter cause the battery to drain?
Jul 6, 2007 at 3:28 PM

Suggested Repair

Replace the blower motor resistor under the passenger side of the dash, just below the blower motor. It is held by two 7mm screws and can show burn marks; no major panel removal is required, though access near the firewall can be tight.

Conversation Summary

A 2002 Chevrolet Malibu lost lower blower speeds until only settings 4 and 5 worked. The expert identified a failed blower motor resistor under the passenger dash, secured by two 7mm screws near the blower motor. The owner replaced it for under $30 and confirmed normal fan operation. Later posts about a 1997 Malibu with weak airflow, intermittent AC, and battery drain were not answered.

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