A few Questions from a new Alero owner

Blown 346 · 03-31-2009, 04:16 PM

My Uncle just gave me his 3.4 99 Alero. Its a great car and I have a few things to work out.

One of those things is the heater Control. The heat will not blow out unless the knob is turned on to level 3, anything above that the heat works. 1,2 doesnt do anything. Would this just be a replacment issue and it will work?

2nd. The Anti Lock light is on. I filled the fluid as it was at the minium level, light never went out. The car does need brakes, would this fix this problem, or is it somthing else? I figured maybe bleeding them might have an effect on the light.

3rd. The traction control button doesnt work. I always have the (traction off) light on. Do I just need a new switch?

4th. My cruise control will not engage. I push the button, the light comes on, then after I let go of the button the light goes out andthe button does nothing. Do I need a new Button?

I dont want to pay someone, so any help would be appreciated.

AbHeLlRaZoR · 03-31-2009, 04:27 PM

turn the cruise control light on use controls on right side of wheel theres an accel/resume button cancel button and a cst/set button the cst/set button will set the cruise for you.

CactusWill · 03-31-2009, 04:31 PM

For #1, replace the blower motor resistor first. I have one you can buy if you need it. If that doesn't work, its probably a relay or the control switch. I have both of those too if you need them.

As for #2, do the brake job first, then go from there.

I can't tell you about 3 or 4, but if you do enough research on here you will find the answer.

meadus101 · 03-31-2009, 04:34 PM

2nd. The Anti Lock light is on. I filled the fluid as it was at the minium level, light never went out. The car does need brakes, would this fix this problem, or is it somthing else? I figured maybe bleeding them might have an effect on the light.

3rd. The traction control button doesnt work. I always have the (traction off) light on. Do I just need a new switch?

Is the "Service Vehicle Soon" Light Also on?

Blown 346 · 03-31-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meadus101

2nd. The Anti Lock light is on. I filled the fluid as it was at the minium level, light never went out. The car does need brakes, would this fix this problem, or is it somthing else? I figured maybe bleeding them might have an effect on the light.

3rd. The traction control button doesnt work. I always have the (traction off) light on. Do I just need a new switch?

Is the "Service Vehicle Soon" Light Also on?

That light was on, I pulled the code and cleared it. The code was for a small Emissions control leak.

lonnie · 03-31-2009, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CactusWill

For #1, replace the blower motor resistor first. I have one you can buy if you need it. If that doesn't work, its probably a relay or the control switch. I have both of those too if you need them.

As for #2, do the brake job first, then go from there.

I can't tell you about 3 or 4, but if you do enough research on here you will find the answer.

Is that a new blow motor resistor, and how much you want for it?

Blown 346 · 03-31-2009, 04:30 PM

I tried that, The cruise doesnt engage. I just watch the speedo drop. The light on the cruise button wont stay on unless I constantly hold it. Even then the cruise doesnt work.

worknprog.99 · 04-10-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blown 346

I tried that, The cruise doesnt engage. I just watch the speedo drop. The light on the cruise button wont stay on unless I constantly hold it. Even then the cruise doesnt work.

yes mine also does that, also my heater controls do the same thing

goldalero99 · 04-16-2009, 04:32 PM

#1 and #4 are very common problems on these cars. #1 sounds like the blower motor resistor. The part is not that expensive. You'll need a small ratchet set and then search this forum and you'll find instructions to replace it. #4 is a bit more complicated. When I looked into fixing this, I found that I would have to remove airbag assembly and other parts from the steering wheel to replace the switch. Not worth it in my case. I took the advice offered previously on the forum and used a dime to wedge the button when necessary (which isn't very often). good luck

AbHeLlRaZoR · 03-31-2009, 04:31 PM

hmm don't know sorry I can't help you.

AGT · 03-31-2009, 04:46 PM

Also on the cruise control issue. I had exactly the same situation. The power button doesn't hold down on its own does it? There is a fix but in reality a new cruise button assembly is more reliable. I had to open up my assembly and plastic fix the piece that is the retainer. One person said you can just use a penny wedged in the space between the buttons tho.

Nate's Alero · 03-31-2009, 06:22 PM

if your anti lock and Trac off lights are on, hello bad wheel bearings! change both sides with the timken bearings from rockauto, i forgot the part number... RYAN! HELP!

Redog · 03-31-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blown 346

My Uncle just gave me his 3.4 99 Alero. Its a great car and I have a few things to work out.

One of those things is the heater Control. The heat will not blow out unless the knob is turned on to level 3, anything above that the heat works. 1,2 doesnt do anything. Would this just be a replacment issue and it will work?

2nd. The Anti Lock light is on. I filled the fluid as it was at the minium level, light never went out. The car does need brakes, would this fix this problem, or is it somthing else? I figured maybe bleeding them might have an effect on the light.

3rd. The traction control button doesnt work. I always have the (traction off) light on. Do I just need a new switch?

4th. My cruise control will not engage. I push the button, the light comes on, then after I let go of the button the light goes out andthe button does nothing. Do I need a new Button?

I dont want to pay someone, so any help would be appreciated.

Problem 1, blower motor resistor. PIA to get to, but a cheap fix. It's a $20 part. It's in the blower agansit the firewall and held in by 2 small bolts (I forget the size, but it's an odd one)

Problem 2 and 3 sound related. I vote for Wheel hub, but if the car needs brakes do it all at the same time. You have to take the brakes off to do this anyway

Problem 4 never had this problem, sorry

Blown 346 · 03-31-2009, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redog

Problem 1, blower motor resistor. PIA to get to, but a cheap fix. It's a $20 part. It's in the blower agansit the firewall and held in by 2 small bolts (I forget the size, but it's an odd one)

Problem 2 and 3 sound related. I vote for Wheel hub, but if the car needs brakes do it all at the same time. You have to take the brakes off to do this anyway

Problem 4 never had this problem, sorry

I have a reciept for the left wheel hub, my uncle replaced that a year ago. I'll look into this more.

99alerogirl · 03-31-2009, 11:49 PM

yep, trac off + anti lock light = wheel hub. i have to fix mine soon... they're growling LOUD at 40..... luckily i get a discount on the timkens

Vinalero · 04-01-2009, 02:46 AM

For Bearings, theres 3 lights on at same time : ABS - Service vehicule soon - Track Off.

If your ABS light is on, Traction control doesnt work. That could explain why your Track off is on and also why your ETS button doesnt work. If SVS is not lighted, maybe its something else than a wheel bearing.

Blown 346 · 04-01-2009, 04:40 AM

What is SVS stand for? What could I look for?

pimpalero2003 · 04-01-2009, 04:55 AM

Service vehical soon and ses is service engine soon

Blown 346 · 04-02-2009, 02:10 AM

Ok. The SES light was on for a Emissions control leak. The SVS light never came on. I havent heard any noise up front from bearings either.

Vinalero · 04-02-2009, 04:19 AM

Id say get the abs code at Autozone and start from there. the chances are you'll fix your abs and your traction control will be fixed as well.

Oh and by the way, I saw that you filled your brake fluid when your car needs brakes. Be careful when you'll change your brakes to bleed them or at least take some fluid out. Its normal on a car for the fluid to get low as the pads wear down. If you fill it when pads need a change, and then you change your pads, the liquid will get too high, could spill all over the engine and transmission and could catch fire. Not funny! Watch that.