General Maintenance & Repairs Leaks | Squeaks | Clunks | Rattles | Grinds
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Blower motor replacement

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 29, 2017 | 11:10 AM
  #1  
F-Body International's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 136
Likes: 4
Default Blower motor replacement

Quick question...what's the best source for a blower motor out there for a '98 T/A?



-Reason I'm asking is because I replaced my heater core this summer and was not happy with the new replacement I got from O'Reilly autoparts. I could totally tell it was not as nice as the original GM that I took out.



-All of the sudden, this week, my blower motor stopped working. It works decent when I start the car but after a minute it pretty much stops working.



-Also, my driver side headlight also stopped flipping up this week. This is another thing I'm going to have to figure out pretty soon before I get a ticket.
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2017 | 06:03 AM
  #2  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,969
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

If you go to the special Firebird section of this forum, there is a sticky thread with the answers to your headlight issues.

I've never had a problem with part store blower motors. They are pretty basic and you should be able to get a lifetime warranty.
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2017 | 01:30 PM
  #3  
RPM WS6's Avatar
LS1Tech Administrator
20 Year Member
Shutterbug
Community Builder
Community Influencer
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,648
Likes: 2,574
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Default

Can you not still get these from GM? Or are you just looking for a cheaper price? I bought one back in probably 2005-06 when I thought I needed it (I didn't, it was just debris in the cage/blades), got it from GM and I don't recall it being all that expensive. Perhaps they've been discontinued since then? I'd have to do some digging to find the part number.
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2017 | 04:48 PM
  #4  
BrittleSpeed's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 154
Likes: 1
From: Rowlett, TX
Default

What about an AC Delco from Rockauto or something?
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2017 | 11:22 AM
  #5  
F-Body International's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 136
Likes: 4
Default

Originally Posted by wssix99
If you go to the special Firebird section of this forum, there is a sticky thread with the answers to your headlight issues.

I've never had a problem with part store blower motors. They are pretty basic and you should be able to get a lifetime warranty.
Guess I'm going to try and source an ACDelco fan from one of the auto part suppliers.

Thanks again for responding on the headlights. I tried looking on that thread the other day but it's pushing nearly 100 pages and a little overwhelming. This morning I quickly looked at the fuses and found they were good. I tried to get at the motor with my hand to wiggle the connector but it's tight to get in there. Is there a way to manually flip up the headlight?
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2017 | 01:17 PM
  #6  
F-Body International's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 136
Likes: 4
Default

Ok, so on my break on work, I literally took a metal wrench and tapped the top of the electric motor for the headlight and it started working. I'm not sure if that's a qualified repair to post on the firebird headlight thread but it worked. Hopefully it continues to work.

Next on this list is attacking that blower motor. Someone on this forum just PM'd me offering an original blower motor with the fan. Hopefully we can square that deal away and this repairs that issue. I'm driving around Chicago winter with no heat at the moment.
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2017 | 01:43 PM
  #7  
RPM WS6's Avatar
LS1Tech Administrator
20 Year Member
Shutterbug
Community Builder
Community Influencer
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,648
Likes: 2,574
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Default

GM/AC Delco part number for the blower motor used to be 52498954. Looks like that number is discontinued now, but it might help you find an NOS one or a revised part number if GM ever issued one.
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2017 | 03:09 PM
  #8  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,969
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Originally Posted by F-Body International
Ok, so on my break on work, I literally took a metal wrench and tapped the top of the electric motor for the headlight and it started working. I'm not sure if that's a qualified repair to post on the firebird headlight thread but it worked.
This is a common issue and remedy posted in the thread. It seems to have only come up as the cars have come of age and It's the only gremlin with the headlights that we don't have an answer for yet...
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 20, 2017 | 01:39 PM
  #9  
F-Body International's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 136
Likes: 4
Default

Originally Posted by wssix99
This is a common issue and remedy posted in the thread. It seems to have only come up as the cars have come of age and It's the only gremlin with the headlights that we don't have an answer for yet...
I forgot to update this thread again with the proper diagnosis. I for one of the ground wires attached to the body right by the radiator/hood latch is the ground for the whole light assembly. I cleaned it and everything started working great...lights also became brighter
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2017 | 04:32 PM
  #10  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,969
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Originally Posted by F-Body International
I forgot to update this thread again with the proper diagnosis. I for one of the ground wires attached to the body right by the radiator/hood latch is the ground for the whole light assembly. I cleaned it and everything started working great...lights also became brighter
If it comes back again (I think it might), we actually found the fix for this, where you tap on the motors/hood and the doors work. (The last three pages of the headlight thread cover that progress, now.) There is a problem with cold solder joints on the headlight module board. This issue has been known to the Corvette and 3rd Gen community for some time and it seems that the aging of the 4th Gens is bring the issue to the forefront for our cars, now.
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2017 | 04:31 PM
  #11  
Dark_Side's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 138
Likes: 24
From: Shawnee, KS
Default

I picked an AcDelco 15-81104 on Amazon for $55 in July, prime shipping too!
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2017 | 11:42 PM
  #12  
F-Body International's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 136
Likes: 4
Default

Originally Posted by wssix99
If it comes back again (I think it might), we actually found the fix for this, where you tap on the motors/hood and the doors work. (The last three pages of the headlight thread cover that progress, now.) There is a problem with cold solder joints on the headlight module board. This issue has been known to the Corvette and 3rd Gen community for some time and it seems that the aging of the 4th Gens is bring the issue to the forefront for our cars, now.
Here we go again with headlights in this thread. My driver side headlights are very dim so I cleaned the ground that solved all my problems last time but it didn't work this time.

What's the next thing to trace? Are there any other headlight system grounds besides the one next to the air intake box on the radiator support?
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2017 | 06:51 AM
  #13  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,969
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Corrosion in the headlight motor connectors. (The headlight bulb wires go through these connectors, also.)
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:44 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE