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You can troubleshoot the defroster in a 1979 Oldsmobile yourself without the headache of finding a mechanic and having to make a decision about repairs on the spot. There is a possibility you might need a voltmeter to troubleshoot your vehicle. This can be purchased at any auto parts store.

Instructions

1

Check the cars coolant level. The warm air from a car defroster comes from the engines coolant. A low engine coolant level could be causing a lack of heat from the defroster. Also check that the heater core is not plugged. The coolant flows through the heater core to warm the defroster.

2

Check to see if the vacuum hose is detached or damaged. If it is, this can keep the doors from working and cause a lack of control in air direction. Ducts are responsible for moving the heater core air into the passenger cabin of the car. Vacuum-powered doors are responsible for the direction of air flow inside the ducts in most vehicles. Check the cabin air filter, too. If the cabin air filter is full of debris, this can also lead to a reduced flow of air.

3

Use the car manual as a guide to find the fuse box and also to learn the proper positioning for the blower fuse. Check inside the fuse box to assess the blower fuse. Use the voltmeter to make sure the blower is grounded and can receive power if the fuse is undamaged.

The radiator cooling fan is vital to the cooling system in a 1992 Oldsmobile. The fan will switch on whenever the coolant reaches a predetermined temperature (200 to 230 degrees F). A properly working fan should come on whenever the air conditioner is switched on, or when the car is in heavy stop-and-go traffic.

Faulty Fuses

Faulty fuses might cause the fan to stop working. Oldsmobile Regency models have two fan fuses: a 10 amp and a 40 amp. The fuses are located in the covered fuse box under the hood. A diagram of the fuses is fixed to the underside of the cover. Check the fuses to make sure they are in good working order.

Faulty Relays

Faulty fan relays might cause the radiator fan to stop working. The relays are located in a covered relay panel. The underside of the cover shows a diagram of which component is operated by the given relay. The relays are located on the drivers side of the radiator for the Oldsmobile 98 and 88 models.

Coolant Temperature Sensor

A faulty coolant temperature sensor can cause the fan from spinning. Most properly functioning General Motors coolant sensors have a resistance of 1,000 ohms at 32 degree F. The sensors resistance will drop below 200 ohm when the engine coolant temperature reaches 200 degrees F. The sensor sends data to the on-board computer, which turns the fan on when conditions warrant extra cooling power.

Beginning in 1982, the General Motors Corporation began production of the "G-body" mid-size, rear-wheel drive vehicle platform. Although the G-body platform shared the same mechanical design as the previous "A-body" design, the designation change allowed GM to reserve the "A-body" name for the companys mid-size front-wheel drive platform. The VIN code for your G-body Oldsmobile contains important information concerning the year built, powertrain options, body style and location of the factory that manufactured the vehicle.

Instructions

1

Examine the top driver side portion of the dashboard, through the windshield, and locate the stamped metal plate containing the 17-digit VIN code.

2

Write the VIN code down on a piece of paper. The insurance and titling documentation also lists the vehicles VIN code.

3

Examine the first number in the VIN code sequence. The first number represents the country of origin; Canadian models use a number "2," while U.S. models use a number "1" at the beginning of the VIN code. The "G" in the second code position affirms that the General Motors Corporation produced the vehicle.

4

Examine the fourth code position. The letter "A" signifies that the vehicle features manual safety belts, while the letter "B" designates automatic seatbelts.

5

The fifth through eleventh digit positions within the code represent the vehicles model type, body style, engine type, model year and assembly plant location, in respective order. The remaining digits within the VIN code represent the vehicles unique production number.

6

Navigate to the OldsGmail.com website and enter your vehicles 17-digit VIN code into the search box (See Resources). Click on the "Submit" button to view specific information concerning your vehicle. You may also contact the service department of a local Oldsmobile dealership and have a customer service professional decode the vehicles VIN code for you.