Heat Does not work-Help!!!!!

Hello Everyone,

This is my first post. I am the proud owner of a Red 99 Coupe. I purchased it used from a dealer about 9 months ago. At that time when I turned on the A/C I heard a very mild high pitched noise from the pass side. I also noticed when the A/C was turned on water would flow into the pass side until I turned off the A/C.
I put the car away for the winter. I got itchy yesterday and took the car cover off started the car. All was well until I turned the heat on about 10 munites later. I heard the loudest high pitched noise that varied in sound. Now I have no heat. Nothing comes out of the vents.
I would appreciate if some of you masters out there could help me. Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Jeffrey

[danl72]

Do you hear a hissing sound as well. You could have a vaccum hose leak. Also the A/C motor could be going bad.

[DkBG]

You might want to check the A/C drain out on the firewall . Its behind the passenger side head . They plug-up . Cliff

Thanks for the replies. Danl72 there is no hissing noise. Just a loud squealing noise under the passenger side dashboard. Could it be the blower motor?
Also, Dkbg a good point to the water leakage is to check the A/C drain on the firewall.
I still have no heat and a loud noise. My car needs to be inspected by Febuary 1.
Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi oceanessss,
From your description I would definitely have to say you are on the right track with the blower motor.

Robert

Since you're storing the car, have you protected it from rodents? They just love to build nests in blower motor housings!

Also, as DkBG suggested, check the drain - if you're getting water in the pass. footwell, it's probably plugged up. It can cause all kinds of problems with the computer in the footwell (don't ask how I know).

[vetu4ya]

I throw a few mothballs on the floormats and on top of the engine to keep the furry ones away from the car during winter storage.

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

oceansssss,

I had the same problem with my 1999 C5 coupe. The a/c evaporator drain line is prone to clogging and will cause water to "back up" and overflow into the RH passenger footwell. It will eventually wick into the BCM computer compartment and ruin the computer, immobilizing the car. The water also overflows into the blower motor and can ruin it.

The drain must be reached by raising the car. It is between the RH engine head and exits the firewall. It is a 90 degree rubber hose, that is attached to a plastic nipple. This must be done when the engine is cool, because you must place your hand near the RH exhaust manifold.

The rubber elbow must be removed and cleaned out. You also must take a plastic "zip tie" and push it into the plastic nipple, to clear it. The end of the 90 degree rubber elbow is moulded and is very prone to clogging. It cut the end of mine off, to permit water to drain more easily.

This is a very common defect in the C5's and is more prevelant obviously during warmer - humid weather when the a/c is running.

You MUST stop this leak or you will ruin your BCM - I know, mine was ruined during an out-of-state vacation and the car was immobilized and took five days to repair.

Good luck - if you have further questions, please post them and I'll try to help you.

[DkBG]

99White - Can you just reach up and pull the elbow out of the firewall ? Does it just push it back in ? Cliff

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

DkBG,

Even with the motor cool, it is a tight fit. I raised the RF of the car with a floor jack and used a jack stand for safety. Then you can lay under the car and see the rubber elbow. I used a screwdriver size tack puller (curved end) to pull the elbow off.

When I removed the rubber elbow, it had pea-sized chunks of white crusty material in it. I suspect it is some type of coating that is used on the evaporator, and it slowly disolves or sheds. Keep in mind that about one year prior to my removing the elbow, the dealer had removed it and cleaned it when it clogged. My car is not driven in the rain or snow and is stored inside, usually with a car cover. I also do not park under trees.

After cutting off the moulded tip, I also used a little silicone dielectric grease on the firewall end of the elbow to enable it slip onto the plasitic nipple. It was very easy to replace. The elbow is about the diameter of your index finger.

Good luck.

Thanks for all the feedback. I am taking it to the dealer this weekend. I received a price of $214.00 for the blower motor and labor. In addition the price includes the cleaning of the A/C drain line. My car is no longer under warranty. I think its a fair price for Central NJ.

I am concerned about how well the dealer will clean the drain line and before I leave I will make sure that there are no leaks. Will let you know the outcome.

[DkBG]

Thanks 99White ! I gotta do this . Cliff

Just a side note: cleaning the drain should be a part of the dealers' routine maintenance, but I suspect it isn't. Even though my car was out of factory warranty, my service writer was able to convince GMPP that this was not "water damage," but rather a design flaw, and they paid for it. (The car had in fact been in for routine maintenance about two months before the computer was drowned.)

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

All,

Please note that I cleaned out the rubber elbow about a year AFTER the dealer had cleaned it and replaced the BCM. The elbow had more white crusty chunks of stuff in it.

It is important to check the elbow drain periodically. I check it when I do my oil changes.

Good luck to all.

[vetu4ya]

If I'm not mistaken the maintenance manual suggests that the battery and support need to be removed to get at the drain. Is that the best way to gain access to it?