GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

HVAC Module B+

1

1

--

--

HVAC Relay B+

1

1

--

--

HVAC Module Ignition

1

1

--

--

Blower Motor Ignition

1

1

--

--

Blower Motor High Speed Relay Coil Ignition

1

2

--

--

High Speed Blower Motor Control

6

2

--

--

Blower Motor Control

6

1

1

--

Blower Motor High Speed Relay Coil Control

6

2

--

--

Blower Motor Medium 2 Control

6

3

--

--

Blower Motor Medium 1 Control

6

4

--

--

Blower Motor Low Speed Control

6

5

--

--

Blower Motor Switch Ground

--

1

--

--

Blower Motor High Speed Relay Switch Ground

--

2

--

--

HVAC Module Ground

--

1

--

--

1. Blower Motor Inoperative - All

2. Blower Motor Inoperative - High

3. Blower Motor Inoperative - Medium 2

4. Blower Motor Inoperative - Medium 1

5. Blower Motor Inoperative - Low

6. Blower Motor Always ON

Circuit/System Description

The HVAC control assembly applies a ground to the blower motor control circuit that corresponds to the selected blower speed. The resistors and the blower motor are in a series circuit. The following list represents the number of resistors in series with the blower motor per particular speed request:

    • Low speed, 3 resistors
    • Medium 1 speed, 2 resistors
    • Medium 2 speed, 1 resistors

When the operator requests high speed, the HVAC control assembly applies ground to the high speed blower relay control circuit. When the relay contacts close, ground is applied directly to the blower motor through the blower motor resistor.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

HVAC Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

    •  Air Temperature Description and Operation
    •  Air Delivery Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Turn ON the ignition, verify that the HVAC relay turns on.
  2. If the HVAC relay does not turn on, refer to the HVAC Relay Malfunction.
  3. Ignition ON, place the blower switch in the High speed position, the blower motor should operate at High speed.
  4. If the blower motor does not function properly in the High speed position, refer to High Speed Blower Malfunction.
  5. Place the blower switch in Low, Medium 1 and Medium 2 speed positions. The blower motor should operate in each speed position.
  6. If the blower motor does not function properly in each speed position, refer to Blower Malfunction.

Circuit/System Testing

HVAC Relay Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the HVAC relay.
  2. Ignition ON, verify the test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal 30 and ground.
  3. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  4. Install a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 86 and control circuit terminal 85.
  5. Ignition ON, verify the test lamp illuminates.
  6. If the test lamp does not illuminate, replace the BCM.
  7. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the HVAC relay.

High Speed Blower Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the X2 harness connector at the HVAC control module.
  2. Test for less than 5 ohms between the ground circuit terminal L and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition ON, verify the test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal B and ground.
  5. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  6. Ignition ON, verify the test lamp illuminates between the ignition circuit terminal K and ground.
  7. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ignition circuit for short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  8. Ignition OFF, disconnect the X1 harness connector at the HVAC control module.
  9. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1.0 ohm between the ground circuit terminal 5 and ground.
  10. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  11. Connect the harness connectors at the HVAC control module. Disconnect the high speed blower relay.
  12. Place the blower switch in the high speed position.
  13. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1.0 ohm between the ground circuit terminal 5 and ground.
  14. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the HVAC control module.
  15. Test for less than 1.0 ohm between the ground circuit terminal 1 and ground.
  16. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  17. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the ignition circuit terminal 2 and ground.
  18. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ignition circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the HVAC relay.
  19. Ignition OFF, connect the high speed blower relay. Disconnect the harness connector at the blower motor resistor.
  20. Ignition ON, place the blower switch in the high speed position.
  21. Test for less than 2.0 ohms between the control circuit terminal E and ground.
  22. If greater than the specified range, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the high speed blower relay.
  23. Ignition OFF, connect the harness connector at the blower motor resistor. Disconnect the harness connector at the blower motor.
  24. Ignition ON, place the blower switch in the high speed position.
  25. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the ignition circuit terminal 2 and ground.
  26. If the test lamp does not illuminate test the ignition circuit for an open/high resistance.
  27. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the control circuit terminal 1 and B+.
  28. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit test normal, test or replace the blower motor resistor.
  29. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the blower motor.

Blower Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the HVAC control module.
  2. Test for less than 1.0 ohm between the ground circuit terminal 5 and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Connect the harness connector at the HVAC control module.
  5. Disconnect the harness connector at the blower motor resistor.
  6. Ignition ON, place the blower switch in the appropriate speed for the circuit being tested.
  7. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the appropriate control circuit and B+.
  8. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the appropriate control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit test normal, test or replace the HVAC control module.
  9. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the blower motor resistor.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Blower Motor Replacement
    •  Heater and Air Conditioning Control Replacement
    •  Blower Motor Resistor Replacement