Chevy Prizm: Heater/Fan issue

[oslama]

The fan does not work at low(1), med(2), med high(3) settings. It will work at the highest(4) but takes a while for the heater to warm up. The other thing i noticed is the headlights slightly dim when fan turned to highest setting.

The fan did make a high pitch noise for the last 2-3 yrs and the battery is about 5 yrs old.

could it be the fan switch or motor? also, do i need a new battery?

TIA

Specs:

Chevy Prizm 1999, Automatic with 95,500 miles (half of the miles put on in last 4 yrs)

 

[5150MyU]

Blower motor is most likely a bad resistor.When set on high speed the resistor is not used, at all other speeds it is.
Pretty sure it is located behind the glove box. 5 screws-2 on bottom and 3 on top.
Then 2 more screws hold in the resistor
You may have to remove the "A" pillar trim to get to the right hand screws of glove box.
The resistor should be a little left of the blower motor.

 

[herm0016]

Blower motor is most likely a bad resistor.When set on high speed the resistor is not used, at all other speeds it is.
Pretty sure it is located behind the glove box. 5 screws-2 on bottom and 3 on top.
Then 2 more screws hold in the resistor
You may have to remove the "A" pillar trim to get to the right hand screws of glove box.
The resistor should be a little left of the blower motor.

great answer.

 

[pcgeek11]

Blower motor is most likely a bad resistor.When set on high speed the resistor is not used, at all other speeds it is.
Pretty sure it is located behind the glove box. 5 screws-2 on bottom and 3 on top.
Then 2 more screws hold in the resistor
You may have to remove the "A" pillar trim to get to the right hand screws of glove box.
The resistor should be a little left of the blower motor.

This. I have seen this on Pontiacs as well. Although on the pontiac the resistors wer mounted on the firewall.

 

[woodie1]

Had a Toyota with this problem. The resistors were mounted on the board along with the blower speed switch. Whole assembly needed to be replaced. Easy to do.

 

[oslama]

Is the assembly board widely available at auto store or has to be ordered from dealer?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Generally those will be a model-specific part. While some parts stores may be able to order them, or you may be able to get them from someplace like Rock Auto online, I doubt anywhere would have them in stock locally.

ZV

 

[5150MyU]

Blower resister should be available at NAPA,etc.
As for location my op, should be correct.
I can give you an OEM number for the part although I don't know if it will be correct.