Way O.T. - 2003 Impala air/cruise oddities

PJH · Sep 4, 2014

My wife's '03 Impala has developed an intermittent quirk. Often when you start the engine, the AC blower won't run, but after about two miles or so on the road, it will kick on and work normally. Sometimes the blower will shut off by itself, and then a few miles later turn back on. Switch position doesn't seem to matter. Usually the cruise won't work while the blower has itself shut off, but the "cruise" light will be lit, even with the cruise switch in the off position. Last week I fiddled with the ignition switch and the blower came on. Today I twisted the ignition switch to "start" position, and the blower kicked on. I hit a rough railroad crossing hard today - shook me up, but didn't affect the blower. It doesn't seem to be triggered by bumps. I haven't been able to tie any of the events together to point to one single part failure. I first suspected the ignition switch, but the "cruise" light made me rethink that idea. I'm hoping it's not a grounding problem - I've fought them on other cars and lost. Anybody ever fix this problem on a similar car?

Thanks,
Paul

omahagreg · Sep 4, 2014

It sounds like you have ruled it out, but I would suspect the key switch. Seems as if it is not returning to run after start!

Dick2 · Sep 4, 2014

It's a GM vehicle. Only electrical problem I had with my Toyota compact pickup was the light in the dial of the radio went out when it was 10 years old. Didn't need the light enough to take the radio out just to replace the bulb.

souNdguy · Sep 4, 2014

are your ac controls vacume based?

Sprint 6 · Sep 4, 2014

Ignition switch. There is a dedicated circuit from the ignition switch on W bodies that power the cruise and HVAC. The switch has intermittent high resistance, cutting the voltage to those components. Low voltage will cause the cruise to do odd things, such as light the light. Next time it is acting up, unplug the cruise servo and check the power on the brown wires. I would bet one is under 9 volts, caused by the ignition switch.

Elvin Frank · Sep 4, 2014

My ex wife had a 2000 impala, car started doing all kinds of weird stuff. Ended up bringing it is o the dealer and they determined it was the ignition. I dont remember the cruise control acting up specifically I the no you nailed the problem

PJH · Sep 4, 2014

Thanks for the tips!!!!

I think this car is part of the GM ignition switch recall, but we haven't received a notice yet. Maybe that will fix it, but I may get antsy and spring for a new switch to keep Momma happy.

Soundguy - the vacuum doors still operate correctly, even when the blower won't run.

Thanks to everyone for your responses. She's due for a new car, and we'll look at Toyotas again, but we'll probably end up with a Chevy, just like Dad had. Old habits, you know.

Paul

Way O.T. - 2003 Impala air/cruise oddities

PJH

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omahagreg

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Dick2

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souNdguy

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Sprint 6

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Elvin Frank

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PJH

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