I have a 2003 Cavalier that has an odor problem, and I don't think it is me. To put it short, I think I have a dead animal like a mouse or something that somehow made it to my ventilation system and to my blower motor. I have surmised this because the smell started not long after I turned on my heater and started hearing a grinding noise from the area of the blower (still works, tho). Any repair shop I called wants $800 plus to take a look, but I am cheap, so I want to take out the blower motor to check for dead critters. And it stinks very badly now...
I have done my homework as much as reading a Haynes manual and searching the internet, but all the information I could find (including a recent blower resistor replacement post here) has what seems to be a different way to access the blower motor. My car has no under dash cover that I can discern, and there are no screws that I can find allowing access to the blower motor. As you can see in the pictures, there are three combinations of a raised piece of plastic coming off the unit and a sealed-rivet type of fastening. The raised piece of plastic has a hole coming out the end that accepts a torx bit and loosens, but the sealed-rivet portion won't budge, and shows no sign of being able to be loosened.
I have even tried from the top down by removing my dash, but then I realized the passenger airbag was right above it and didn't want to go any further.
So, the question is, does anyone know how to access the blower motor in this situation? Am I going to have to go through the dash and around the passenger airbag? Am I blind and there is some super-simple way to access the blower motor? Any information anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Use some BG Frigi Fresh. It sounds like mold.
Tach Out Motorsports
Option D Inc.
Anybody know how it get this blower motor out... ??? I need to replace mine or at least take it apart because i think there is a piece of paper or something in there because when i turn it on 3 or 4 its vibrates really loud. Still does it on 1 and 2 but its not so loud.
Thanks!
Well I will help you out here. I logged into Dealerworld cause I thought it looked kidna odd to me too. Come to find out those black things that hold it in are called heat stakes. I guess those are easier to put in on the line then 3 screws the older J's come with. I'm not sure if you get screws with the new blower motor cause I'm at work, but I would just find some screws that would hold it into place with not being to long. Below are the directions from GM the way they have the techs do it. I hope that helps you out. Have a good one.
1. Disconnect the electrical connections from the blower motor.
2. Remove the blower motor retaining heat stakes with a chisel or a screwdriver.
3. Remove the blower motor
Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
1. Install the blower motor screws.
Tighten
Tighten the screws to 5 N·m (44 lb in).
2. Connect the blower motor electrical connector.
Thanks, that helps.... Im not buying a new motor till i know that that one is bad. I think there is just something in there. I dont wanna brake those lil fasteners and then not be able to put it back together. So im a lil hesistant to do that without a new motor ready to go in.
Any body else have any input? The more the better. Can never have TOO much info.
Thanks again.
It kinda sounds like you've gotta break loose the fasteners and then use screws to put the blower back in place.
I might end up just going ahead and doing that. Just a lil scared to break it and not have AC till the new one comes in. That would suck here in Vegas were its 110 everyday.
