Blower Resistor

[mtnagel]

Okay, this is the second time in less than 4 years that mine has gone out (the first time it lasted 2.5 years and now it's been less than 1.5 years - I'm not very happy :mad:).

Last time, a mechanic replaced it for $43.56, but this time, I figured I'd try it myself. I found where Shawn posted how to change in the FAQ section (thanks a bunch for that), so I should be able to figure it out. In it, Shawn says it's around $10 (plus I'm assuming that's US $). So, I find the part number (15359314) on my previous invoice and call the 2 closest dealers - one wants $28.24 and the other $23.53. So I go to gmpartsdirect.com and they are much better at $11.76, but they want $7.95 for shipping - what a damn rip off - pretty much negating most of my savings. It wouldn't cost more than a couple bucks to send it by US mail because it's such a small, light part. Plus I'd have to wait for it to come it. I think I'll just get the $23 one and have it fixed now.

A couple questions though:

First, why the big difference between dealers? When I had to recently replace my passenger side mirror, the same thing happened at the same 2 dealers - the one was a bit higher.

Second, what happened to the around $10?

Matthew

Note: I just found this at gmpartsdirect.com:
Why does shipping and handling fee seem so high?

Gmpartsdirect.com sells parts near published dealer cost plus a percentage for a shipping and handling fee. This fee is not UPS charges only. The shipping and handling pays for the shipping charges plus our other expenses like web programming, employees, etc. Another way to explain this is, we are selling you the part near published dealer cost, the shipping, and handling pays all of our expenses associated with running the web site. The amount left over after our expense is our profit. Keep in mind our overall price is a tremendous savings over retail price and in most cases is even cheaper than dealer wholesale shipped to your door step,and without leaving the convenience of the Mouse. Compare the overall price delivered to your door.

What a bunch of bull. Plus they say it will ship in 7-10 day. So it takes about 2 weeks to get a part? That's crazy.

[sunrunner_pei]

Originally posted by mtnagel
...Second, what happened to the around $10?


Actually, that was a Canadian price... I know they re-designed the resistor since I replaced the one in my '99, I can only imagine that's why the price has increased. Thanks for letting me know, I'll update the FAQ. :)

[mtnagel]

Wow, it has almost tripled then!! Plus the fact that it obviously isn't much better since this is my 2nd one and it seems the be a common problem.

Anyway, I called 4 total dealers and 3 wanted the same exact price, but the 1 was almost $5 higher. What gives? I'm assuming the prices are set by GM, but the dealers are free to charge more it they want? Seems kind of crazy to me.

Matthew

[USMCspy]

What is a blower resistor?

[99GrandAMSE]

Originally posted by USMCspy
What is a blower resistor?

... when you change between heater fan speeds, there is a resistor that changes the value in the power wire, thus, speeds up or slows down the fan ... as 'luck' would have it, it is a fault area for the Grand AM since many of them have 'burnt' :(

[phatG-A]

here's my take on dealership prices. i used to work for a 3 car line dealership( buick, chrysler and volvo). most dealerships actually charge more than the msrp. my ex boss used to try and rip people off bad, but it was a common thing. me being the honest guy that i am, used to sell below the msrp. just to piss him off. boy did it work, but i had so many repeat customers for my selling the cheapest price. i stilled made him alot of money. that might help a little

[mtnagel]

So, I thought this was interesting. I again called up the dealership that is closest to me, but was $5 more than all the rest to find out if they had the resistor (I forgot to ask before) and now, the part went up to $35, more than $10 than the others. I said how it was $28 yesterday and the MSRP is $23.54 and he said he would give it to me for that price. Who knew you could haggle with the parts department?? I wish I knew this when I bought my passenger side mirror and drove out of my way to go to the cheaper dealer.

Anyway, the lowdown on replacing the resistor is that it's a 7mm socket to remove the cover over it (or maybe there is an english one that's close, but the 7mm worked). Then it's a 7/32" socket for the screws on the resistor itself and yes, you need to be a contortionist to reach it. And, I had to go buy the universal joint and used a screw driver attachment to turn the screws.

Also, I figured that the last time I had it done, the guy must have used the old type (the one where it's green circuit board instead of the newer one that is black, plastic coated), but nope, it was the newer one that was in there. So, the newer type didn't even last as long as the old type :mad:. What's up with that?

Also, I realized I needed the universal joint after I took off the cover and unplugged the connector from the resistor. So I had to drive to the hardware store with it unplugged and guess what... the blower worked on speed 5 and all the different functions worked :???:. I remember someone asked it they could drive with it unplugged and the response was that the blower wouldn't work. Well, mine worked on 5. What's weird is that it was working on 4 and 5 before I unplugged it. Could speed five be actually controlled by something else??

Sorry so long
Matthew

[99GrandAMSE]

Originally posted by mtnagel
... Who knew you could haggle with the parts department?? ...

Sure you can ... no problems ... I always ask for WHOLESALE pricing and if I still don't like the price I always 'ask' if that is the best he can do ... sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't :D

[mtnagel]

Originally posted by 99grandamse
Sure you can ... no problems ... I always ask for WHOLESALE pricing and if I still don't like the price I always 'ask' if that is the best he can do ... sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't :D Cool, I'll have to remember that.

Thanks

[phatG-A]

i used to give certain people at my cost. which was cost plus 15%. that was always a good thing. i got a date out of it one time too. lol:D