Weird HVAC Issue 2013 Buick LaCrosse

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I have a 2013 Buick LaCrosse, with a weird HVAC issue, and I haven't seen anyone else online with the problem:

With the HVAC set to manual, I hit the power button, and the fan won't come on for several minutes. This started a month or so ago, whereupon it'd take a few seconds for the HVAC fan to start, but the problem was intermittent. Now, it can take several minutes - 10 to 15 minutes, for the fan to blow.

The HVAC is set to manual mode: it happens at any temperature setting.

When I hit the power button, the fan won't go on. Yet the A/C compressor is engaged, and if I select different modes, I can hear the blend door moving: the HVAC is on, but the fan won't turn on. And when the fan does turn eventually turn on, I am not noticing any weird sounds/behavior with the an when it starts. Once the fan starts, it will run indefinitely until the car is turned off.

Any suggestions? I'm a novice at best, so my understanding of electronics is limited.

Thank you
 
Could be a few things going on, but it will take some digging to find out. As others have suggested, you need to look at the wiring harness by the resistor and HVAC fan. My question would be: Does it come on if you turn up the fan speed manually?

I wonder if the fan itself gets stuck when sitting and it needs a nudge to get going. Just like some electric radiator fans stop working but will spin up if you give them a push with a screwdriver. It of course indicates a bad fan, but that might tell you if the fan is going bad or not.

If setting it to high speed gets it going, that would indicate a failing blower fan. In all honesty, once in there, it would probably make sense to replace the harness and blower motor and possibly the resistor if it has that setup. It won't be a pleasant job most likely, so best to replace what is known to go bad in that area and just do it once if you plan to keep the car for a while.
 
71Chevyguy said:
Could be a few things going on, but it will take some digging to find out. As others have suggested, you need to look at the wiring harness by the resistor and HVAC fan. My question would be: Does it come on if you turn up the fan speed manually?

I wonder if the fan itself gets stuck when sitting and it needs a nudge to get going. Just like some electric radiator fans stop working but will spin up if you give them a push with a screwdriver. It of course indicates a bad fan, but that might tell you if the fan is going bad or not.

If setting it to high speed gets it going, that would indicate a failing blower fan. In all honesty, once in there, it would probably make sense to replace the harness and blower motor and possibly the resistor if it has that setup. It won't be a pleasant job most likely, so best to replace what is known to go bad in that area and just do it once if you plan to keep the car for a while.
Click to expand...
Appreciate the reply.

After posting this thread, the problem went away (!)...it's an odd situation for sure. As to your question, when the situation occurs, the fan won't turn on manually, irrespective of the fan speed that's selected.

In the meantime, I will try to get a schematic...on or after the holiday I will pull this thing a part to inspect.
 
did you check/replace the HVAC relay? once had the same issue but in the opposite direction, fan wouldn't turn off until some time passed.
 
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