Thanks for this! I’m about to build out my second van, which is a Chevy Express 2500. I’m going to check that connection today and look for melted plastic.
I had a similar problem on a dodge grand caravan. on the next to highest setting there was a lot of current, and lot of power dissipated. full speed had no resistance, and the lower speeds have only a little current. more modern cars have brushless motors and circuitry to do the speed control without wasting power. but that's why modern cars use millions of chips! nice video, thanks 😊
Thanks Johnny - was actually just looking to see if they had a brushless aftermarket option for this van but no luck (I'm sure I would probably be the only one interested haha) Glad to see the newer vehicles going to a PWM speed controller and brushless motors!
I've fixed all the drive train common problems already, I'll have to check my "new" '04 Savana for this before I hit the road. With 287k already on it, I don't need any surprises.
@@fritzkabeano1969 Oil cooler block gasket leak, valve cover gasket leaks, trans pan gasket leaks, broken exhaust manifold bolts, Oil pressure sender leak, temp sensor plug crumbles if you bump it changing spark plugs. belt tensioners seizing up, brittle PCV hose giving p0300 code. Minor stuff if you're at home with a garage full of tools.
Yep, I replaced mine last year, and it was toasted on 2 of the contacts. It looks to me as if your harness was already replaced, because all of the wires are grey. Factory on my 2012 were colors.
Great vid Tim. I had high speed only on my old 2000 Sierra truck and replaced the resistor. No burn marks on mine so I guess it just got old and wore out. Come across it on other vehicles, too. Is that an IPhone app for the thermal imaging - it’s neat. 👍🏻
The blower resistors / relays are definitely wear items. Manufacturers are finally switching to a pulse width modulation (PWM) speed control. Much more robust and efficient than the resistors. I got a great deal on the used thermal camera that plugs into the iphone! Been loving it! Scored it for $175 but normal price is around $230. amzn.to/3VFTLlG
Did you look to see if the OEM part might have had a bigger negative ground wire going into the resistor? There's just so many cheap chinese replacement parts out there...... PS-Nice vid....now you got me worried with winter upon us!
Looks like there was actually a service bulletin for the Sierras / Silverados but the "fix" was to just replace the harness and resistor with the same OEM numbers - no redesigns or product improvements. You would think it would be simple enough to just increase the pin sizing specifically on the 12v + and - wires. If you unplug yours and it doesn't look discolored you're probably fine! The date code on my old blower resistor was from 2009 I think, so it lived a good life - especially for an aftermarket part.
@@VanwithTim Thanks Tim. I might unplug it and throw a little dielectric grease in there to prevent corrosion too even if that rubber gasket is supposed to seal it. Thanks for the heads up. PS-the fuel gauge sender and pump in the gas tank is another known "it will fail" part to look forward to replacing.
@@fritzkabeano1969 Oh boy - yeah I've had to replace the FP on a 1999 Express. Thank goodness the tank was mostly empty! Not my favorite repair by any stretch.
I replaced mine and had to carefully carve it out for the new style . 1999 Chevy express . Going to check the connecter right now ... and the original looks fine. It looks like that bad splice with some of the wire cut off would heat up that pin maybe ?
I'm sure the bad ground splice didn't help anything on mine. Luckily it looks like that was the only thing the previous owner(s) touched on the van. Otherwise I'm betting I would have electrical gremlins galore.
Can anybody tell me why the AC?Guy is charging me almost 800$ to replace the blower motor and the resistor. He said it was gonna take three and a half hours. Not by the looks of this four minute video I can do it with my eyes closed and i'm not even experienced
Thank you kindly for the video.
Especially liked the before and after heat comparisons.
Also part number for Amazon 😅
Take good care!
Thanks for this! I’m about to build out my second van, which is a Chevy Express 2500. I’m going to check that connection today and look for melted plastic.
I had similar situation in my 2012 ford E250 the dealer replaced the resistor, harness and blower motor! No charge!Thanks Tim
So wild to hear of this issue across all sorts of other manufacturers!
Just had to do this yesterday. And yes, I stagger them.
I had a similar problem on a dodge grand caravan. on the next to highest setting there was a lot of current, and lot of power dissipated. full speed had no resistance, and the lower speeds have only a little current. more modern cars have brushless motors and circuitry to do the speed control without wasting power. but that's why modern cars use millions of chips! nice video, thanks 😊
Thanks Johnny - was actually just looking to see if they had a brushless aftermarket option for this van but no luck (I'm sure I would probably be the only one interested haha)
Glad to see the newer vehicles going to a PWM speed controller and brushless motors!
I've fixed all the drive train common problems already, I'll have to check my "new" '04 Savana for this before I hit the road. With 287k already on it, I don't need any surprises.
Which drive train problems? I've got an 08 Savana 1500/6cyl.
@@fritzkabeano1969 Oil cooler block gasket leak, valve cover gasket leaks, trans pan gasket leaks, broken exhaust manifold bolts, Oil pressure sender leak, temp sensor plug crumbles if you bump it changing spark plugs. belt tensioners seizing up, brittle PCV hose giving p0300 code. Minor stuff if you're at home with a garage full of tools.
Yep, I replaced mine last year, and it was toasted on 2 of the contacts. It looks to me as if your harness was already replaced, because all of the wires are grey. Factory on my 2012 were colors.
Great vid Tim. I had high speed only on my old 2000 Sierra truck and replaced the resistor. No burn marks on mine so I guess it just got old and wore out. Come across it on other vehicles, too. Is that an IPhone app for the thermal imaging - it’s neat. 👍🏻
The blower resistors / relays are definitely wear items. Manufacturers are finally switching to a pulse width modulation (PWM) speed control. Much more robust and efficient than the resistors.
I got a great deal on the used thermal camera that plugs into the iphone! Been loving it! Scored it for $175 but normal price is around $230.
amzn.to/3VFTLlG
Did you look to see if the OEM part might have had a bigger negative ground wire going into the resistor? There's just so many cheap chinese replacement parts out there......
PS-Nice vid....now you got me worried with winter upon us!
Looks like there was actually a service bulletin for the Sierras / Silverados but the "fix" was to just replace the harness and resistor with the same OEM numbers - no redesigns or product improvements.
You would think it would be simple enough to just increase the pin sizing specifically on the 12v + and - wires.
If you unplug yours and it doesn't look discolored you're probably fine! The date code on my old blower resistor was from 2009 I think, so it lived a good life - especially for an aftermarket part.
@@VanwithTim Thanks Tim. I might unplug it and throw a little dielectric grease in there to prevent corrosion too even if that rubber gasket is supposed to seal it. Thanks for the heads up. PS-the fuel gauge sender and pump in the gas tank is another known "it will fail" part to look forward to replacing.
@@fritzkabeano1969 Oh boy - yeah I've had to replace the FP on a 1999 Express. Thank goodness the tank was mostly empty! Not my favorite repair by any stretch.
I replaced mine and had to carefully carve it out for the new style . 1999 Chevy express . Going to check the connecter right now ... and the original looks fine. It looks like that bad splice with some of the wire cut off would heat up that pin maybe ?
I'm sure the bad ground splice didn't help anything on mine. Luckily it looks like that was the only thing the previous owner(s) touched on the van. Otherwise I'm betting I would have electrical gremlins galore.
My medium high speed isnt working the rest do any idea what it could be doc ?
It’s either the blower resistor or the HVAC control (the actual unit in the dash above the radio). 85% chance it’s the blower resistor though.
Can anybody tell me why the AC?Guy is charging me almost 800$ to replace the blower motor and the resistor. He said it was gonna take three and a half hours. Not by the looks of this four minute video I can do it with my eyes closed and i'm not even experienced