GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    •  Strategy Based Diagnosis
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions

Diagnostic Fault Information

Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Blower Motor Speed Control circuit at the blower motor control processor

1, 2

1

1, 2

--

Battery Positive Voltage circuit at the blower motor control processor

--

1

--

--

Ground circuit of the blower motor control processor

--

1

--

--

Blower Motor Low Reference circuit (between motor and control processor)

--

1

--

--

1. Blower Motor Inoperative

2. Blower Motor Always On

Circuit/System Description

Blower Motor Control Processor

The blower motor control processor is an interface between the HVAC control module and the blower motor. The blower motor speed control, battery positive and ground circuits enable the control processor to operate. The HVAC control module provides a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to the blower motor speed control processor in order to command the blower motor speed. The processor supplies 12 volts to the blower motor through the blower motor voltage supply circuit. The control processor uses the blower motor ground or low reference as a low side control to adjust the blower motor speed.

Air Speed

The blower motor forces air to circulate within the vehicles interior. The vehicle operator determines the blower motors speed by placing the blower motor switch in a desired speed position. The blower motor will only operate if the blower motor switch is in any position other than OFF, and the ignition switch is in the RUN position. Once a blower speed is selected, the blower speed remains constant until a new speed is selected.

As the requested blower speed increases, the following conditions occur:

    • The HVAC control module increases the amount of time that the blower motor speed control circuit is modulated to ground.
    • The voltage and duty cycle, measured between the blower motor speed control circuit and ground, decrease.

As the requested blower speed decreases, the following conditions occur:

    • The HVAC control module decreases the amount of time that the blower motor speed control circuit is modulated to ground.
    • The voltage and duty cycle, measured between the blower motor speed control circuit and ground, increase.

Diagnostic Aids

Be sure the blower motor housing is not shorted to a grounded surface causing the blower motor to always be on in high speed.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

HVAC Schematics

Connector End View Reference

HVAC Connector End Views

Description and Operation

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

Electrical Information Reference

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

Scan Tool Reference

    •  Scan Tool Output Controls
    •  Scan Tool Data List
    •  Scan Tool Data Definitions

Circuit/System Verification

Ignition ON, command the blower motor ON and OFF with a scan tool. Monitor/feel the operation of the blower motor solenoid relay.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the blower motor control processor.
  2. Test for less than 1.0 ohm of resistance between the ground circuit terminal and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit of the blower motor speed control processor supply voltage terminal and ground.
  5. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the B+ circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the B+ circuit fuse (HVAC/RFA 10-amp) fuse in the instrument panel (IP) BEC is open, test all components connected to the B+ circuit and replace as necessary.
  6. Connect a test lamp between the blower motor speed control circuit and the blower motor supply voltage circuit of the blower motor control processor.
  7. Turn the blower motor ON high speed and then OFF. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  8. If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the HVAC control module.
    If the test lamp is always OFF, test the speed control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the HVAC control module.
  9. Ignition OFF, connect the harness connector at the blower motor control processor.
  10. Disconnect the harness connector at the blower motor.
  11. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the blower motor supply voltage circuit of the blower motor control processor and ground.
  12. f the test lamp does not illuminate, test the blower motor supply voltage circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the blower motor control processor.
  13. Connect a test lamp between the blower motor supply voltage circuit and the blower motor ground circuit of the blower motor control processor.
  14. Turn the blower motor ON high speed then to low speed. The test lamp intensity should be bright when ON high speed and very dim or out when the blower is on low speed.
  15. If the test lamp intensity is not correct, test the blower motor ground circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the blower motor control processor
  16. If all circuits test normal, replace the blower motor.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Blower Motor Control Module Replacement
    •  Blower Motor Replacement
    •  Control Module References for ECM, and HVAC setup, replacement, and programmimg.