Can You Drive Without A Blower Motor Resistor?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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except blower motor resistors don’t “wear out” ; they stop working altogether, suddenly, when the resistance wire inside burns through. Even then, it’s safe to drive the car provided that it has no exhaust leaks which might permit carbon monoxide or oxides of nitrogen to enter the passenger compartment.

Is it safe to drive a car without the blower motor working?

Your car’s blower motor is not only necessary for the operation of your air conditioner. Without a functioning blower motor your engine runs the risk of overheating. ... Start car and see if blower motor works.

Will a blower motor work without the resistor?

If the resistor shorts or fails, it may cause the blower motor to remain stuck on one fan speed. The heating and air conditioning systems may still function at one speed, however the resistor will have to be replaced in order for full functionality to be restored.

How much does it cost to replace a blower motor resistor?

The average cost for a Blower Motor Resistor Replacement is between $108 and $137 but can vary from car to car.

How do I know if my blower motor resistor is bad?

  1. Fan does not work at all, so no air comes out of the vents.
  2. Fan only works on some speeds and not others.
  3. Fan only works on the highest speed.
  4. Fan runs all the time and can’t be controlled with the fan switch.
  5. You see smoke coming out of the vents.

How do you know if a resistor is bad?

  1. Turn off the power running through the circuit containing the resistor you need to test. ...
  2. Look at the color bands around the barrels of the components for the code to determine resistor values. ...
  3. Check resistor values with the color codes.

What are the signs of a bad blower motor?

  • Weak Airflow from the Vents. This is usually the first indication that you may have a faulty blower motor. ...
  • No Airflow at All. ...
  • Unusually High Energy Bills. ...
  • Strange Sounds. ...
  • Overheating.

What would causes a blower motor resistor to go bad?

In most cases, a blower motor resistor fails due to corrosion or overheating . Sometimes, the mechanical resistance to the motor rotation causes an excessive electric current that can overheat and prematurely damage the blower motor resistor.

Can a blower motor be repaired?

Blower Motor Replacement: When Good Parts Go Bad. ... There are a number of things that can go wrong with your heating system, but if the air stops blowing altogether and the same is true on cold air settings, a blower motor replacement is likely in order. The good news is that it’s a fairly straight forward repair .

How do you fix a blower motor resistor?

The resistor module is easy and inexpensive to replace. It’s then typically installed in the ductwork, near the car blower—either under the dash or under the hood. (Refer to a service manual to locate yours.) Purchase a new resistor module at the auto parts store (usually less than $25).

What happens when blower motor relay goes bad?

If you have a faulty blower motor, you may experience low airflow from the vents , even when the fan is on high. There will be no air coming from the vents if your fan isn’t working due to a bad blower motor resistor.

How much does it cost to replace a blower motor?

Replacing a blower motor costs $450 on average with a typical range of $250 to $800. With a warranty, you might pay as little as $150 for labor alone. For high-end models, like those with large motors or access issues, you might pay as much as $2,000.

How do I test a blower motor resistor?

Place one lead of the Ohmmeter on terminal 1 of the resistor. Place the other lead on terminal 2 and check against specifications. If this circuit is open, showing infinity on the Ohmmeter, the blower resistor must be replaced. Move the lead from terminal 2 to terminal 3 and check this reading against specifications.

How do I know if a resistor is working?

  1. Connect the probes to the digital multimeter. ...
  2. Use alligator clips to attach to the digital multimeter probes. ...
  3. Connect the alligator clips to each terminal of the resistor. ...
  4. Turn the digital multimeter dial setting to Ohms (Omega). ...
  5. Take the digital multimeter reading.

What happens if I use the wrong resistor?

The equipment will cease to function in short order either by the resistor itself burning up , or by the heat it generates burning up an adjacent component or possibly the circuit board its mounted on or even foil pattern on the circuit board, or maybe all three.

How do you know if a resistor is fusible?

In WWF series, resistors up to 5W, the resistance value is colour coded with 3 bands plus a tolerance band. An additional white band indicates that the resistor is fusible. For resistors 6W and above, the value is printed on the resistor.

Charlene Dyck
Author
Charlene Dyck
Charlene is a software developer and technology expert with a degree in computer science. She has worked for major tech companies and has a keen understanding of how computers and electronics work. Sarah is also an advocate for digital privacy and security.