Water leaking into Blower/Cabin

9

97blklsc

Registered
Hey Guys/Gals,

Last week during a particularly rainy morning, I was on my way home from work and noticed that my HVAC blower motor never turned on once the engine warmed up to operating temp. (climate control was on auto). I pulled over and checked the wiring harness, but was unable to get the motor to turn at all. Once I got home, I pulled the lower dash panel off and found that there was some water leaking from the bottom of the blower motor case, and that the PWM speed controller was absolutely soaked.

To fix the problem I removed the PWM speed control box, took it apart to separate the circuit board from the case, cleaned all contacts on the PCB, and coated both sides of the PCB with some Amsoil protectant. This appears to have fixed the issue for now, but I'm curious as to how water got in there in the first place.

I saw in another thread that the Gen. 2 cars had cowl sealing issues...is this true? If so, is there a specific spot to look for a leak? I'll be sure to check the windshield seal while I'm looking...

Thanks all,

-Domenic
 
There is a very common leak point at the air-intake point in the cowl. Passenger side. All you can do is take the whipper cowl out to get to it, even then its tricky. What happens is where the metal cowl above the firewall and the intake meet cracks form. Since this area is also a gutter for water you can guess what happens.

Take it apart and use some silicon or epoxy to re-seal all around the intake opening.
 
Thanks very much for the reply. I'll be sure to check that out as soon as the weather improves and hopefully post with some pictures as I fix it.
 
Dom, I thought you said had the swimming pool option when I was in your car last? =) Just let me know if you need to use my garage.
 
Had the same exact problem with my 97. Sealed it up with silicone. Took a couple tries to get all of it. Havent had any problems since.
 
Resurecting this thread because I just experienced this exact problem on Sharon's car. I got it working but now need to seal it up. Anyone have any pictures of the areas that need to be sealed?
 
Got the wiper off. Easy once ya knwo the trick. Did a little inspectin and this is the the problem. Should that intake be sealed all the way arround it or just the front half? It looks like the factory seal only covers the front half. My seal is cracked about 25% in from each side. The intake also has a buch of leaves on the inside. Seems like I would have to break it off to clean them out.
 
No problem,glad to help. I would take an inspection mirror and look around back,if all is well,then no need. But being you're in there anyway may as well just get back there and seal it up. It may be ready to go around back also.
 
The back is not sealed. The intake tube is on a sort of caulk hinge up front. I think I will completly seperat it. It looks like the only way to caulk it would be to remove it, add the caulk, and then slide it it. Not sure how I could get my hand back there. I will work on it more tonight.
 
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