My dad's 2008 HHR is having a problem with the Air Con that we can't figure out.

The car has about 70k miles on it.

The problem is that the blower motor doesn't turn on at any speed.

BUT, when the a/c is "on" if you have the vent open, cold air flows out as long as you are moving.

So, I know that the actual cooling system is still working, just the blower motor isn't.

We have checked all the fuses, and they are all good.

I know '06 and '07 HHR's had a problem with a water leak that would blow the reistats that controlled the motor, but they fixed this issue with 2008.

We have no way of telling if the motor is good, but before these issues, it would work fine. Then we had a few times that the blower stopped working, then miraculously, one day it started working fine again about a week later.

It has stopped working now, and the last time it worked for a few minutes, than stopped.

We replaced the HVAC control "center" with all the a/c knobs for fear of a broken knob or button, but it still doesn't work.

With a test light, we were not able to find any power going to the blower motor, but all the fuses are good.

The car isn't under warranty anymore, and we can't afford to take it to a shop.

It's our car, but my dad uses it for work, and he is miserable without the a/c.

Any ideas?

------------------
1986 SE V6 Auto. 114K miles.
1995 F-150 4.9l Straight 6, Port and polished head, oversize valves, mild cam.

I don't have a diagram for this truck, but sounds like either the blower itself died, easy enough to test, power and ground to the terminals to see if it spins, or the controller/resistor went out. I'll have to do some digging...

edit: here is the hvac box:



1 - HVAC Box Assembly
2 - Blower Motor Resistor Assembly
3 - Blower Motor
4 - Recirculation Actuator
5 - Air Temperature Actuator
6 - Mode Actuator

I'm willing to bet the resistor assembly died. Common problem on lots of cars. It is under the passenger side of the dash pretty close to the blower motor itself. I'll dig around a bit more for a wiring diagram. My computer is working at a snails pace right now

edit #2 Here is the electrical diagram. Should be simple enough to follow. Hmmmm, gets power from the BCM internal relay. THAT could be a huge problem if you are not getting power to the blower motor.

[This message has been edited by topher_time (edited 06-29-2011).]

I'm out of ideas so this very well could be it.

It's just gonna be a HUGE pain to replace.

I appreciate it! + for you!

Another vote for the resistor or the motor. If there's no voltage to the motor, then the resistor is the likely candidate.
It's odd that it died on ALL speeds. My Silverado just lost 4 and 5. In that thing, it's under the right side of the dash.
Might try a google search of HHR blower resistor.

I'd double check that voltage. This system is backwards from what I am used to seeing. Looks like power comes from the BCM. The resistor is used on the ground side. If there is no voltage measured from the BCM to the motor, I'd suspect a faulty BCM, it has an internal non-serviceable relay.

[This message has been edited by topher_time (edited 06-29-2011).]

Ok, here is an update.

We just tested the Blower Motor itself, and it worked fine.

I was doubting the resistor assembly too, for the same reason. Everything I read said that when the resistor fails, the blower still works on the highest setting.

Everything I have looked up about the resistors talks about the water leak situation on the earlier models.

The big mystery is there is no power going to either of the plugs on the motor. I am assuming that anyway, because we couldn't get the test light to indicate.

If the resistor assembly failed, would that cause the loss of power?

quote Originally posted by BlackEmrald: Ok, here is an update. We just tested the Blower Motor itself, and it worked fine. I was doubting the resistor assembly too, for the same reason. Everything I read said that when the resistor fails, the blower still works on the highest setting. Everything I have looked up about the resistors talks about the water leak situation on the earlier models. The big mystery is there is no power going to either of the plugs on the motor. I am assuming that anyway, because we couldn't get the test light to indicate. If the resistor assembly failed, would that cause the loss of power?

The BCM would be the cause to loss of power. Or the connector X210 in the harness some where. Or a broken wire. Time to start pulling the truck apart. This system is backwards from what I am used to seeing, hence my confusion.

Check relay #30 in th underrhood fuse box, it supplies power to the blower motor. You could jump the 2 terminals and check for power then.

Wish I was there, could probably get this figured out in 30 minutes or so.

[This message has been edited by topher_time (edited 06-29-2011).]

Okay, after looking at the diagram, you're right. The resistor is in the ground side.

Check or replace the HVAC relay 3G(?) It's difficult to read the diagram.
Or this...
http://www.chevyhhr.net/for...owthread.php?t=15290
"open ckt 141 at connector X210"

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 06-29-2011).]

quote Originally posted by Raydar: Okay, after looking at the diagram, you're right. The resistor is in the ground side. Check or replace the HVAC relay 3G(?) It's difficult to read the diagram.

Relay 30, I just edited my post

quote Originally posted by topher_time: Relay 30, I just edited my post

Cool. Thanks for the update.
Another forum page said that that relay is in the passenger side fuse panel.

So, we just replaced the resistor, and nothing.

we are looking for connector X210, but I can't find anywhere onoine that has an actual picture/location of this connector. I see from the diagram it is inbetween relay 30 and the blower motor itself, but I have no idea of it's actual location.

Any ideas?