So I did a lot of reading before writing this post. I am a complete novice when it comes to electrical but I am attempting to fix this issue, so thank you in advance for your patience here.

After restoring the interior of my 68 cutlass, my blower fan no longer works on any speed. I suspect the relay. However in doing my research I read there is also supposed to be a 30 amp in-line fuse. My car does not seem to have this. It does have what appears to be another relay (see pic).

interestingly, after checking the connections for the relay, the blower fan briefly worked but only on the first three speeds. When I switched to high, it again abruptly stopped working all together. I believe that at least rules out the fan switch and the blower itself?

So my questions are:
1. do you think my suspicion that the culprit is the relay is likely correct?
2. All the relays I am seeing online look different than the one in my car. See attached photos. Can anyone explain why?
3. Does anyone know what the element/relay coming off the battery is? This does appear to be wired to the fan. See pic
4. Is the red element in the pic attached the blower resistor? Could that also be the issue?

Relay, 90 degree connecrion

Relay, not sure why only 3 connections (car has a/c)

Resistor? Hard to get at, under a/c

In-line relay(?) coming off battery

 

Your symptoms suggest other potential causes.


Use a meter to determine if you have voltage at the blower motor. If the answer is yes, check the ground for the blower motor. If the ground is good, then, the motor itself is suspect.


The dash switch is my next suspect.

 

The last pic you posted ("in-line") is the horn relay, with power distribution point as part of the assembly, hence the red wire from battery attached to that single post.

 

The blower motor fuse is 25 amp. You can bypass the switch and run 12V to your motor to check it. Other than the fuse or motor the other culprit is the blower motor resister (which more often than not is the case). I know this is the case for non-A/C, I don't know if A/C is any different

If you need a readable 68 wiring diagram PM me you email address and I will send it to you

 

Because you state the blower started to run briefly while you were working on the various components I would be looking for a bad electrical connection(s) rather than a failed component. With all the wires and components connected and the ignition switch in the run position try to wiggle the various component electrical connectors and wiring harnesses with the blower switch in each fan speed position. If the blower fan starts to run while you are wiggling a specific connector you have found the source of the problem.

 

In case anyone is interested.... turns out it was simply a bad connection at the resistor. (And yes, it is the red-colored element underneath the evaporator box shown in the second to last pic), which was a bit challenging to get to. But, taking advice from Dynoking (thanks), as I was wiggling the relay (to take it out), I heard the fan kick in (the fan is never off). I still don't know why the fan didn't work on high, though, but apparently it must go through the resistor before the relay.

Sound advice, saved me aggravation and money!

 

Probably because the resistor is bad. Like I said, more often than not, they are bad. It usually starts with one of the fan speeds not working

 

 

Please wiring diag. for 68 442? daleedie@yahoo.com Thanks you!

Not the sharpest BOT on the block.