My 2009 honda fit only has the highest fan setting working This is the first time I have had the problem. Some googling indicates I definitely need a new fan resistor and probably need a new fan motor. Any advice one what to use? Gamble with replacing the resistor first? OEM or aftermarket parts?

 

Replacing both parts is easy on a GE Fit. The only difficult part is contorting your body to see what you're doing. I ended up sort of laying across the door sill with my legs outside of the car and my head and shoulders up under the dash. It definitely wasn't comfortable.
I had the same exact issue you describe about 10 months ago. I went ahead and replaced both parts plus the cabin air filter while I was in there. There should be lots of FitFreak threads describing the costs of OEM vs generic parts. I went with generic, following my usual plan which is to skip over the cheapest option and pick an item with a decent number of good reviews. There are often obviously fake or useless reviews so I ignore those. Maybe I'm lucky but this approach has generally worked well for me.
Resistor - PartsSquare HVAC Heater Blower Motor Resistor Compatible with Fit 2009-2013 4P1666 JA1788 79335-TF0-G01
Blower - AUTEX HVAC Blower Motor Assembly AC Blower Motor Air Conditioner 700247 79310TF0G01
Cabin Filter - EPAuto CP182 (CF11182) Replacement for Honda Premium Cabin Air Filter

 

Did this yesterday on my ‘11 185k mi with the cheapest Amazon parts with decent reviews. Tried just the resister and it popped the next day. Resoldered it closed and replaced the fan too. I’d pull out the fan (torx 25 or thin flat head screws). Mine turned a bit tougher than the new one but when I pulled the fan off, a bunch of black soot fell out so I’m thinking it was bad.
Time will tell if the soldered resister holds or the new fan works. Laid on my back on the seat to work. Check YouTube on the resister removal with short and long screwdrivers needed.

 

Check Rock Auto for that kind of parts.

 

Thanks all. Ordered what appears to be reasonable non OEM. Rock auto was indeed the best deal. ~$127 cad for resistor, fan, and filter. Dealer wanted $475 for OEM of all 3.

 

For anyone else who looks at this thread, this is what i used:

TYC 700247 Blower Motor (8501.10.0029) USD$ 56.99
TYC 800125P Cabin Air Filter (8421.39.0090) USD$ 9.63
WVE 4P1666 Blower Motor Control Module / Resistor (8533.10.0000) USD$ 14.59

Got this from rock auto with great deliver speed and prices (even as a canadian)

Everything seems good so far. You need to snip the glue in 3 places for the filter to fit. Worth the difference in price.

I detect a whir at the highest setting, but I'm not sure that is new. The highest setting is annoying anyway so I'm not sure I mind either way. I found installing this stuff a huge pain. As others have stated, it is really awkward. Laying backwards on the seat was the best approach for most of it. I had to use a stubby ratchet to get the resistor bottom bolt off and on. As mentioned elsewhere you also really do need a stubby screwdriver.

 

Rock Auto is a great place to order stuff from in Canada. Much cheaper than many places! No surprise fee either when you get your stuff.