Blower motor quit

Deb

New member
Oct 23, 2016
358
6
3
Well on the first trip of the summer just got to my destination after 5 hours of driving and the blower motor just quit. Checked the fuse box n the
panel and its good. Is there is another spot that could have popped (a fusible link?). I found the main one i believe but not sure how to
troubleshoot this blower.

Of course its hot. Would be very nice to run the fan while we drive. The dash ac was working although a bit puny. Ill be ok for the next 10 days since
im basically parked. Only a couple of short hops before we head back on the 14th.

Suggestions of where to look and what to check? Hope its something i can wrangle (i brought my tools) and not needing a new blower motor right away.
I would love to be able to get home and deal with it then.

Other than this the run down to Vancouver from Kamloops ( took Hwy 1 through the canyon) was uneventful. She ran great.

--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!
 
Fan relay, or poor ground on the fan motor. Screws there are exposed to
constant moisture here in the Northwest. One of the mounting screws has a
ground wire under the head. Those corrode and lose good contact. Little
stainless steel wire brushes and contact cleaner work well there.
Remote possibility that the resistor pack in the fan plenum on the
drivers side of the heater enclosure has failed, though high speed should
still work if the engine is running.
Jim Hupy

On Sat, Jun 1, 2019, 5:55 PM Deb McWade via Gmclist
wrote:

> Well on the first trip of the summer just got to my destination after 5
> hours of driving and the blower motor just quit. Checked the fuse box n the
> panel and its good. Is there is another spot that could have popped (a
> fusible link?). I found the main one i believe but not sure how to
> troubleshoot this blower.
>
> Of course its hot. Would be very nice to run the fan while we drive. The
> dash ac was working although a bit puny. Ill be ok for the next 10 days
> since
> im basically parked. Only a couple of short hops before we head back on
> the 14th.
>
> Suggestions of where to look and what to check? Hope its something i can
> wrangle (i brought my tools) and not needing a new blower motor right away.
> I would love to be able to get home and deal with it then.
>
> Other than this the run down to Vancouver from Kamloops ( took Hwy 1
> through the canyon) was uneventful. She ran great.
>
> --
> Deb McWade
> Logan Lake, BC, CAN
> "Li'l Sister"
> '77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
> TZE167V101404
> It's Bigger on the Inside!
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Deb
Check the ground wire as it can loosen . Must be tight as the case is
plastic

On Sat, Jun 1, 2019 at 5:55 PM Deb McWade via Gmclist <

> Well on the first trip of the summer just got to my destination after 5
> hours of driving and the blower motor just quit. Checked the fuse box n the
> panel and its good. Is there is another spot that could have popped (a
> fusible link?). I found the main one i believe but not sure how to
> troubleshoot this blower.
>
> Of course its hot. Would be very nice to run the fan while we drive. The
> dash ac was working although a bit puny. Ill be ok for the next 10 days
> since
> im basically parked. Only a couple of short hops before we head back on
> the 14th.
>
> Suggestions of where to look and what to check? Hope its something i can
> wrangle (i brought my tools) and not needing a new blower motor right away.
> I would love to be able to get home and deal with it then.
>
> Other than this the run down to Vancouver from Kamloops ( took Hwy 1
> through the canyon) was uneventful. She ran great.
>
> --
> Deb McWade
> Logan Lake, BC, CAN
> "Li'l Sister"
> '77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
> TZE167V101404
> It's Bigger on the Inside!
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Deb,

The HVAC blower is grounded only through a single wire under one of its
mounting screws. That screw goes into the fiberglass HVAC housing, so is
very prone to loosening. The first thing I'd do is locate that ground
wire, remove the screw, and either put a multi-tooth ("star") washer under
the wire, or at least clean all the surfaces well, before reinstalling the
screw tightly.

Ken H.

On Sat, Jun 1, 2019 at 8:55 PM Deb McWade via Gmclist <

> Well on the first trip of the summer just got to my destination after 5
> hours of driving and the blower motor just quit. Checked the fuse box n the
> panel and its good. Is there is another spot that could have popped (a
> fusible link?). I found the main one i believe but not sure how to
> troubleshoot this blower.
>
> Of course its hot. Would be very nice to run the fan while we drive. The
> dash ac was working although a bit puny. Ill be ok for the next 10 days
> since
> im basically parked. Only a couple of short hops before we head back on
> the 14th.
>
> Suggestions of where to look and what to check? Hope its something i can
> wrangle (i brought my tools) and not needing a new blower motor right away.
> I would love to be able to get home and deal with it then.
>
> Other than this the run down to Vancouver from Kamloops ( took Hwy 1
> through the canyon) was uneventful. She ran great.
>
> --
> Deb McWade
> Logan Lake, BC, CAN
> "Li'l Sister"
> '77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
> TZE167V101404
> It's Bigger on the Inside!
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
If the blower motor has failed - they’re cheap and easy to replace. I suspect the brushes in mine were stuck - but it was easier to simply change it. My blower motor looked OLD.

I replaced mine in about 15 min in the rain on the side of the road last December. If you need a hand - I can help and/or supply tools once you’re on the island.

Rob
Victoria, BC
76 Royale - Rear Twins/Dry Bath

>
> Well on the first trip of the summer just got to my destination after 5 hours of driving and the blower motor just quit. Checked the fuse box n the
> panel and its good. Is there is another spot that could have popped (a fusible link?). I found the main one i believe but not sure how to
> troubleshoot this blower.
>
> Of course its hot. Would be very nice to run the fan while we drive. The dash ac was working although a bit puny. Ill be ok for the next 10 days since
> im basically parked. Only a couple of short hops before we head back on the 14th.
>
> Suggestions of where to look and what to check? Hope its something i can wrangle (i brought my tools) and not needing a new blower motor right away.
> I would love to be able to get home and deal with it then.
>
> Other than this the run down to Vancouver from Kamloops ( took Hwy 1 through the canyon) was uneventful. She ran great.
>
> --
> Deb McWade
> Logan Lake, BC, CAN
> "Li'l Sister"
> '77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
> TZE167V101404
> It's Bigger on the Inside!
 
Thanks for the suggestions. The ground wire seems in good shape and i have no high fan either. Rob, i am on the island at noon tomorrow. I'll drop
you a line when i get there. I appreciate the offer. Always happy to do the work if i know what to do. Just point me.
Cheers folks.

--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!
 
Bang the blower motor with a hammer, if it is a problem with the brushes,
the motor will often run again, for a while anyway. If it does, that shows
it
needs to be changed.

Marsh (rarely post) Wilkes

-----Original Message-----
From: Deb McWade via Gmclist
Sent: Saturday, June 01, 2019 8:55 PM
To: gmclist
Cc: Deb McWade
Subject: [GMCnet] Blower motor quit

Well on the first trip of the summer just got to my destination after 5
hours of driving and the blower motor just quit. Checked the fuse box n the
panel and its good. Is there is another spot that could have popped (a
fusible link?). I found the main one i believe but not sure how to
troubleshoot this blower.

Of course its hot. Would be very nice to run the fan while we drive. The
dash ac was working although a bit puny. Ill be ok for the next 10 days
since
im basically parked. Only a couple of short hops before we head back on the
14th.

Suggestions of where to look and what to check? Hope its something i can
wrangle (i brought my tools) and not needing a new blower motor right away.
I would love to be able to get home and deal with it then.

Other than this the run down to Vancouver from Kamloops ( took Hwy 1 through
the canyon) was uneventful. She ran great.

--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!

_______________________________________________
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
There are 3 connections inder hood that overheat from corrosion and /or high motor draw . Often this melts the connectors as a visual cue. They are
1) at blower resistor under driver hood on side of air box This is for speeds 1, 2, and 3.
2) high blower relay on firewall passenger side. This decides between 123 or Hi when engaged. Toggles alternator power direct to blower
3) Hi delay relay. Up over the high blower relay on 77-78. This was an add on patch for 77-78 and can be unplugged and patched around in 30 seconds
without any wire cutting. No longer easy to find NOS so bypassing is best bet Just manually use 1,2,3 when selecting air position, then go to Hi
afterwards
All the above connectors should be disconnected yearly and sprayed with a good contact cleaner like Caig D5. The spraying and exercise breaks through
the oxide layer and increases conducitivity and thus less heat to melt connectors. This is not just a MH issue but plagued all GM of the era as they
aged. They later went to improved weatherpack connectors.
Remove your fan motor and lightly oil both bearings with a zoom spout oiler and be sure it spins freely by hand. If you got to it in time it can be
saved, but may need to be replaced. If hard to turn it will melt the connectors again.

--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
 
Part# 35588. 76-78
45587. 73-75

On Sun, Jun 2, 2019 at 6:09 AM John R. Lebetski via Gmclist <

> There are 3 connections inder hood that overheat from corrosion and /or
> high motor draw . Often this melts the connectors as a visual cue. They are
> 1) at blower resistor under driver hood on side of air box This is for
> speeds 1, 2, and 3.
> 2) high blower relay on firewall passenger side. This decides between 123
> or Hi when engaged. Toggles alternator power direct to blower
> 3) Hi delay relay. Up over the high blower relay on 77-78. This was an add
> on patch for 77-78 and can be unplugged and patched around in 30 seconds
> without any wire cutting. No longer easy to find NOS so bypassing is best
> bet Just manually use 1,2,3 when selecting air position, then go to Hi
> afterwards
> All the above connectors should be disconnected yearly and sprayed with a
> good contact cleaner like Caig D5. The spraying and exercise breaks through
> the oxide layer and increases conducitivity and thus less heat to melt
> connectors. This is not just a MH issue but plagued all GM of the era as
> they
> aged. They later went to improved weatherpack connectors.
> Remove your fan motor and lightly oil both bearings with a zoom spout
> oiler and be sure it spins freely by hand. If you got to it in time it can
> be
> saved, but may need to be replaced. If hard to turn it will melt the
> connectors again.
>
> --
> John Lebetski
> Woodstock, IL
> 77 Eleganza II
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Well this connector is the culprit. Rob Bailey helped me with this one. There are 2 under the passenger side hood. This one is in the power wire to
the motor. When we bypassed it (direct from battery to blower) blower works fine.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0rgsClClN4zCzEHfj08XVbP2Q
Anyone know if i can get a replacement or if they are long gone, what could sub for it?
--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!
 
Call me and I can send you one, just pay postage.

On Sat, Jun 8, 2019 at 3:42 PM Deb McWade via Gmclist <

> Well this connector is the culprit. Rob Bailey helped me with this one.
> There are 2 under the passenger side hood. This one is in the power wire to
> the motor. When we bypassed it (direct from battery to blower) blower
> works fine.
> https://share.icloud.com/photos/0rgsClClN4zCzEHfj08XVbP2Q
> Anyone know if i can get a replacement or if they are long gone, what
> could sub for it?
> --
> Deb McWade
> Logan Lake, BC, CAN
> "Li'l Sister"
> '77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
> TZE167V101404
> It's Bigger on the Inside!
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Had the same bad .... very bad connector.
I just removed it and connected the wires, using a pressed connection.
Now it works.
The only thing I am puzzled about, there is some kind of resistor, condensator on one end of connection to blower motor.
Mine was very loose, I pressed it in as much as I could, but. Is that the way it is supposed to be ?

Bye Daniel
--
Daniel Jacobs, NL-USA 1977 GMC Eleganza II, Rebuild 455 (2019) 3.55 FD. FiTech and (Modified) FCC, Selector Valve and Electric Pump, insulated
GasTanks, 100A Alternator, APC, McDash, Schräder Valves + extern Fills, Ceramic Film, TPMS, FlexSteel Seats
 
Daniel,

That device is a capacitor, intended to suppress electrical noise
(primarily for your AM radio). It's loose because of the same problem I
mentioned earlier: A self-tapping screw driven into the fiberglass HVAC
housing. Move it to another, un-stripped hole. Be sure to clean the
destination area down to bare metal, install a star washer and
anti-corrosive electrical grease between the cap and the blower flange.

Ken H.

On Sun, Jun 9, 2019 at 8:52 AM Daniel Jacobs via Gmclist <

> Had the same bad .... very bad connector.
> I just removed it and connected the wires, using a pressed connection.
> Now it works.
> The only thing I am puzzled about, there is some kind of resistor,
> condensator on one end of connection to blower motor.
> Mine was very loose, I pressed it in as much as I could, but. Is that the
> way it is supposed to be ?
>
> Bye Daniel
> --
> Daniel Jacobs, NL-USA 1977 GMC Eleganza II, Rebuild 455 (2019) 3.55 FD.
> FiTech and (Modified) FCC, Selector Valve and Electric Pump, insulated
> GasTanks, 100A Alternator, APC, McDash, Schräder Valves + extern Fills,
> Ceramic Film, TPMS, FlexSteel Seats
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Thanks Ken,
Will correct it ASAP as we return in September !

Bye Daniel
--
Daniel Jacobs, NL-USA 1977 GMC Eleganza II, Rebuild 455 (2019) 3.55 FD. FiTech and (Modified) FCC, Selector Valve and Electric Pump, insulated
GasTanks, 100A Alternator, APC, McDash, Schräder Valves + extern Fills, Ceramic Film, TPMS, FlexSteel Seats
 
> Call me and I can send you one, just pay postage.
>
> On Sat, Jun 8, 2019 at 3:42 PM Deb McWade via Gmclist <

>
> > Well this connector is the culprit. Rob Bailey helped me with this one.
> > There are 2 under the passenger side hood. This one is in the power wire to
> > the motor. When we bypassed it (direct from battery to blower) blower
> > works fine.
> > https://share.icloud.com/photos/0rgsClClN4zCzEHfj08XVbP2Q
> > Anyone know if i can get a replacement or if they are long gone, what
> > could sub for it?
> > --
> > Deb McWade
> > Logan Lake, BC, CAN
> > "Li'l Sister"
> > '77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
> > TZE167V101404
> > It's Bigger on the Inside!
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
>
>
> --
> Jim Kanomata
> Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
> jimk
> http://www.appliedgmc.com
> 1-800-752-7502
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

Thanks Jim. Just got back from the island. Managed to track down a replacement and all is good. Blowing like it should :)
--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!