2002 Malibu fan control problem

I am having a little trouble seeing exactly what you are talking about I can see two groups of wires running into the dash, one near passenger center and one near the center console, will I need to remove any plastic panels to see this?

Yep, removed the plastic under-dash and found it pinned up against the firewall. Took quite some time, new tools, and a nearly dislocated shoulder to remove the screw closest to the firewall but I got it swapped. New one was less than $30 bucks and it works fine. Thanks for the dead on diagnosis!

My question pertains to a similar problem that Ryanuni experienced with his Malibu.
I have a 1997 3.1V6 Malibu, 134,000km. My Fan is not blowing to its fullest potential. In the summer and in the winter my cold & hot air is not blowing to its full FORCE. Is there something loose inside? For example, I can barely feel the air blowing at 1, 2, 3; when I have the air set to 4 or 5, it doesn't blow HOT/COLD ENOUGH. Would this problem be expensive to fix? For months, I've been trying to figure-out what the problem is with my fan, can you help me? Also, my AC button keeps shutting on/off randomly when I try to set my air condition function on, how can this be fix?

I have the same problem. Fan control works on 5 but have to play with the nob to get the ac to come on with lower numbers. Had the dealer replace the control unit for 1500 dollars and 2 months later ! Now the same problem. I wonder if they even replaced the unit at all!I couldn't do without our car for another 3 days and go through the trouble with the dealer and insurance company so my wife has lived with the problem for a couple years now. Now its gotten worse. When I push the inside air button it will not stay on and goes back the the outside air button automatically. The 5 setting is the only one that works the AC now. Can the resistor be cauing this? Please help! I also have a problem with the batteries not lasting 2 years on this car now. Had to replace it 3 weeks ago and 2 weeks later the battery went dead. Took the autonator off and had it checked and its ok. I suspect the starter but am not sure. Could the starter cause the battery to drain?