Blower motor not working properly?

Tiny
LLOYD O'CONNELL
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE
  • 4.6L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 157,000 MILES
I have the base base model. The blower motor will not run properly unless I am pressing it in and holding it there. I thought it might have been the plug itself so I bought a new one, connected it, and got same result. I do not know what to do next. Would it possibly be the resistor? Also, what is the easiest way of getting to its location?
Saturday, October 6th, 2018 AT 1:25 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I am Danny.

It is usually a little bit easier to replace the blower motor resistor by removing the actual glove box to gain easier access. I have attached a picture of its location. Be sure to look and see if any wires on the harness look burnt/melted that is usually what happens. Hope this helps and feel free to ask any questions if needed. Thanks for using 2CarPros.
Danny-

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/blower-fan-motor-works-on-high-speed-only
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Saturday, October 6th, 2018 AT 9:11 PM
Tiny
TIMOTHY M WALL
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  • 10 POSTS
Hi Lloyd, I see your post goes back to 2018, but I have the same issue. Holding the connector in and it works, even the varying speeds. So it doubt it's the controller. I purchase a new connector, but have the same issue. Did you find a solution?
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Wednesday, September 24th, 2025 AT 3:44 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
This was a few years back, can I ask if the connector is in good shape, not melted or have loose connections? Can you upload an image of the part in question so I can see it?
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Friday, September 26th, 2025 AT 8:32 AM
Tiny
TIMOTHY M WALL
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Oh yes, the connector was in good shape and not melted or corroded.
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Friday, September 26th, 2025 AT 10:31 AM
Tiny
TIMOTHY M WALL
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Two more images of the original connector and the new installed one.
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Friday, September 26th, 2025 AT 10:36 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 54,137 POSTS
Yep, that looks good, so you need to hold or move the connector to make the blower motor work? If so I would replace the resistor, it must have an internal break in the circuit board.
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Friday, September 26th, 2025 AT 6:03 PM
Tiny
TIMOTHY M WALL
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Thx for your prompt reply. Yes, I need to hold or move the connector to make the blower motor work.

I just found this thread link where 00 states, "You have all the classic symptoms of a bad blower motor. There's a heavy gauge copper braided wire that goes to one of the brushes inside the motor that breaks. Tapping on the blower of wiggling the connector will usually allow the 2 ends to make contact long enough to get the motor turning again. Your car doesn't have a resistor pack for the front blower motor it uses PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) to control motor speed. (The rear aux blower does still use a resistor pack)."

https://www.cadillacforums.com/threads/2002-deville-blower-motor-vs-resistor-how-to-tell.253551/

Would this be correct? I have Design 1 blower motor and housing with 5 screws. A source said the 2000-2005 Buick LeSabre is the same design.
Here's a link on how to remove it.

https://youtu.be/leptgBmRLtc?si=zFbt22kJcMtpzaLI

This video shows how to remove the Control Module.

https://youtu.be/3zhYqrvLOs0?si=J2gEvAajj55AadZ4

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Friday, September 26th, 2025 AT 7:05 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 54,137 POSTS
Yes, that is correct but you are not touching the blower motor? To me it sounds more like the speed resistor is bad.
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Saturday, September 27th, 2025 AT 10:54 AM
Tiny
TIMOTHY M WALL
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
No I'm not touching the blower motor, just pushing in on the connector, then everything works even the variable speed.

I'm going to wait until Spring when I have more money, and warmer weather with more daylight hours. I live in Southern Manitoba, Canada and it's getting dark around 7 pm now.

I put up with it all last winter so one more won't hurt. Besides, I'm retired and rarely drive the car anyway. Most of the time I ride my three-wheeled recumbent pedal trike around our small town.

Thx so much for your help!
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Saturday, September 27th, 2025 AT 11:42 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Sounds fun! I would replace the resistor, both the blower motor and the resistor can act this way when pushed on. Let me know if you need anything else, we are here to help.
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Saturday, September 27th, 2025 AT 11:58 AM

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