Fan does not work on lower settings

[Icon]

Good Day! My fan only works on its highest setting. I believe that it is an issue with a variable resistor for the HVAC unit. Our Vibe is a 2003 model that is now out of warranty and I am wondering what it would take to fix on my own (despite my extreme lack of knowledge in this regard). Does anyone know:a) where to find and uncover the defective part?b) how much it costs to replace the component? Thanks in advance!

[ColonelPanic]

I think you've hit the nail right on the head here. Welcome aboard, by the way. I don't know any part numbers or how much it will cost... But here is a page from the service manual to show you where it is at, just look for the blower and it appears to be right next to it.

Attached files conponen.pdf (116 KB) 

[mikey00]

Check all your connections around the blower motor first. I had this problem on my 05, which is still under warranty, and took it in thinking they would have to change the blower motor resistor PCB. They fixed it and said it was just a bad connection

[Icon]

Thank you for the diagram and warm welcome . I will try to take a look tonight. Does it require that the entire IP be removed?

[JohnC]

Could it just be a clogged cabin filter?

[Baltovibe]

Attached is the service manual page on testing the blower resistor.

Attached files blower_resistor_test.pdf (23 KB) 

[Mavrik]

from my experience... its usually always the resister. A plugged air filter won't cause it to stop on lower settings.

[Icon]

Depsite the much appreciated assistance, I am clueless as to the location of the resistor. I did peek underneath the glove box area, only to discover the engine control module (I was under the assumption that these modules were usually found underhood).Is the resistor accessible from the interior of the vehicle? What will I need to remove in order to see it?

[Mavrik]

Only help I can give you would be to find the blower motor and thats were the resister is located. Most blower motors are located were your looking but I have not found mine on the Vibe and I haven't looked lol. That is the ECM your seeing there. Have you pulled out the glove box and taken a look behind it?

[1oldbanjo]

I have an 06 model and it took me 10 seconds to find the resistor after looking at the shop manual photo - however it is shaped differently than the one in the diagram. If you were to sit in the passengers seat and put your feet on the sloped part of the floor/firewall - the resister is where your left toes would touch the vertical part of the firewall. The one in my car has 4 wires that are in a flat connector - not square as shown in the diagram. You will not have to remove the glovebox or any parts other than the resistor plug and resister package (it appears).Dave

[Mavrik]

you the man dave

[scott_h]

We had the same issue in our old Malibu, and had to have the fan switch replaced twice (and were told it was very common). I'm guessing if it's common in one car, it's probably common in others...