HVAC fan won't blow/headlights

[coxguy1]

I got 2 problems:

1st on is inside the car when turning on the heater, vent, and ac i don't hear the fan blowing and there is no air coming out of the vents. Fuse is fine under the dash. Is there another fuse/ relay switch somewhere else.

2nd:

When turning on the headlights... the headlights will turn on but will not pop up. I have to manually pop them up.

thanks

[Ragtop_Renegade]

It's an old thread, but an unanswered one. The issue of no HVAC blower is common to many older GM cars, Fiero included, so I thought I'd answer it.

80's and 90's GM blower motors are well known for spawning bad spots where the contact brushes pass current to the windings. This is even more common on cars that have been sitting a long time.
A good sign this is the problem is to turn the key on, turn the fan switch to hi, and then go under the hood. (front compartment lid, in Fierospeak) Give the blower motor a good thwak! with a blunt object, my favorite being the handle of my ice scraper/snow brush. This will jolt the motor just enough that if there is a spot with poor electrical connectivity, it'll get past it and get the motor going. If that works, replace the motor (they are sealed assemblies that are not designed to be benchtop refurbished, and most attempts to disassemble and rig them to work fail horribly) and you'll be good to go. If not, use a voltmeter to make sure the issue is not with the switch or the wiring before the motor. If you do not understand the basic principles of electricity (or do not own nor wish to purchase a voltmeter) you should take the car to a trusted technician at this point.

I've diagnosed at least 10, maybe upwards near 20 blower motors this way - including my own Fiero. Almost every motor I've checked with the thwack! test responded - those few that did not were either a bad switch or a totally fried out motor. The later will usually be obvious on close observation, they normally have a very putrid smell and with a little luck will briefly emit a equally nasty smelling smoke before blowing the fuse.

In addition to a thwak!, sometimes a pothole or small bump is enough to make the motor suddenly start. When the motor is turned off (either by it's own switch or by turning off the ignition) it doesn't always stop on the bad spot, so it can also start normally once and awhile.

Those who are thrifty or just feeling a bit lazy may wonder how long they can get away with using Thwak! to keep a injured blower motor alive before having to give in and replace it. Well, I had a '95 Beretta that responded to Thwak! for over 9 months. Your mileage may vary...

Headlight motors, well, it's aways the same thing. If there is electricity present at the motor, it's the motor. If not, switch, relay or wires. Late model Fiero head light actuators can be disassembled and certain components replaced. Older ones are replaced as a full sealed assembly. It is possible to retrofit newer actuators to older Fieros, with some minor tinkering. The result is a unit that can be repaired in the future vs replaced, and will pay for itself if you and your Fiero are destined to be together a long time.