How to Remove the Blower Motor on a 1998 Cutlass

The Olds Cutlass was once a highly touted muscle car, especially in its 4-4-2 trim level, which Oldsmobile produced from 1964 through 1967 and again from 1972 through 1973. From 1967 through 1972 the 4-4-2 was a model in itself, separate from the Cutlass. Emission regulations in the mid-1970s neutered the once testosterone-filled Cutlass, delegating it to the role of family car for its remaining years. The 1998 Cutlass, basically a rebadged Chevy Malibu, came with a 150-horsepower 3.0-liter V-6 engine and air conditioning. Replacing the blower motor in the 1998 Cutlasss heating and air conditioning system requires removing the body function controller, the brain of the car.

Instructions

Removal

1

Adjust the passengers seat as far back as it will go. Look under the passengers side of the dashboard and find the plastic sound insulator. Pry outward on the center pin on the sound insulators retaining pin, using a flat-head screwdriver, until the center pin is fully extended. Pry the retaining pin from the sound insulator.

2

Pull downward on the sound insulator firmly to disengage its retaining clips and remove the sound insulator.

3

Find the body function controller, the square metal box just above the sound insulator. Do not unplug any of the body function controllers wiring harnesses, but pull the retaining tabs securing it to its mount outward and slide the body function controller toward the passengers side of the vehicle to guide it off its mount. Position the body function controller out of the way of the blower motor.

4

Press and hold the unlocking button on the blower motors wiring harness and unplug the harness. Remove the screws securing the blower motor assembly, using a ratchet and socket, and lower the blower motor assembly from the heating and air conditioning box.

Installation

5

Guide a new blower motor assembly into the heating and air conditioning box and tighten its retaining screws to 45 inch-pounds, using an inch-pound torque wrench and socket. Plug the wiring harness into the receptacle on the new blower motor.

6

Align the top of the body function controller with the retaining tabs on the body function controllers mount and slide the body function controller toward the drivers side of the vehicle until the tabs snap into place.

7

Align the retaining clips on the sound insulator with the slots in the dashboard and press the insulator upward to engage the retaining tabs. Insert the retaining pin into the sound insulator and press its center pin until its head is flush with the retaining pins head.