Expert: Rob Painter - 3/3/2010

Question
QUESTION: The car ignition switch is off, the key is out of the ignition and the engine is off but the heater blower inside the care is still running after 45 minutes.  What is wrong with the car how do I stop this and how do I fix this.  Car is a 1993 Cadillac Sedan Deville with 81,134 original miles garage kept in South Carolina.

ANSWER: Hello,

I don't know exactly what to tell you other than this is a problem Cadillac had and knew about for close to 25 years. Not that they will do anything for you.

I love Cadillacs, but I have owned enough over the last 20 years to know they may look and drive nice, but they are money pits.

Chances are the resistor board is fried controlling blower speeds as well as on and off. Located under the hood. Chances of you finding a good one at the junkyard is very rare and it will fail on you anyway.

You can check on new. They used to run $200-$300 just for the part, but with the age, it probably is not made anymore.

I used to see a slip shod repair where a toggle was installed under the dash. Then a power wire (preferably ignition switched) went directly to the heater motor. It works, but you only have high or no blower. At least then your battery won't go flat---very common!!!

Good luck!

Rob

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: 1993 Cadillac Sedan DeVille garage kept 81,134 miles was fixed by a GM certified mechanic who replaced the BCM, blower control module. The part is no longer in production but one was located in a warehouse covered in dust costing $159.00 plus labor.  This Cadillac has NOT been a money pit, it's the most reasonable maintence costing car I ever owned in 32 years. My first car was a lemon FORD & my second car was a lemon TOYOTA & my third was a DODGE & my fourth car this Cadillac.

Answer
Hello,

You appear as though I was attacking your choice in cars. As I said, I love Cadillacs. I just traded the best car I have ever owned, my Cadillac Allante.
You were very lucky to find the part and as you and I both said, not made any more.

If you explore the archives of my answers, you will find 3 major issues that have plauged these cars since they were built. The blower, the so called defevtive anti-theft system and engine overheating. No other vehicle has these three consistent problems.

As long as it is running good- great! There will most likely come a time that the engine will experience an overheatng problem and that will confirm my "money pit" statement. It's not if, but when.

I have owned Cadillacs for over 30 years. New and used. I know them very well.

I am glad you got it handled much cheaper than I have seen over the years.