My 1990 Firebird won't blow hot air. I can feel warmth near the interior vents but nothing blows out. I am guessing the fan is bad? Since there is still warmth, does that mean the core is OK? I heard from someone that in order to repair a bad heater blower, that you had to pull the dash, is that true?

If the dash has to be pulled, then maybe I should go to the dealer and have them do it? If not, then maybe a neighborhood mechanic would be best.

Any suggestions would be great. Sorry for all the questions...

 

Do you hear the blower motor operating when you adjust the fan speed? If you do, then I would suspect an HVAC routing door not opening all the way. If you don't hear the fan operating, I would suspect the fan motor itself (needing replacing). Judging from your description, I think the heater core and the heating system is fine. All the heater core is is pretty much a small heat exhanger. Hot coolant passes through it much like the radiator under your hood. The air, forced by the blower motor, passes over it and warms up. So, that said, if the air velocity itself is hurting, then there isn't that much of a need to worry about the heater core.

 

No, I don't hear the blower motor come on. I think it might just be the blower motor.

Do you know if the dash needs to be pulled to repair this? I checked Chilton's, it doesn't look like they pull the dash, but then again, I am not an engineer! (that book is a little beyond me).

Thanks again!

 

The blower motor is out in the engine compartment. Its on the passenger side attached to the heater box. You can't miss it. It should be a 15 minute job.

 

you should cheak the fuse and then cheak the relays make sure
they click when you turn them on and off.To cheak if the blower mot is good or not i would send a power source to it just to see if it turns on(make sure that it is grounded also) (The plug should be on the pass side fire wall right into the heater core if you need a pic let me know) also test if there is power going to the mot by putting a test light on the leads (turn on heater in car wile doing this) if the light turns on then you know the blower mot is where your prob is. If all is working and it is blowing cold after the car is heated up then it is the thermosthat.
I hope this helps..