How Do You Know If Your Blower Motor Is Out?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  1. Poor or Airflow from Air . This will be the first and most obvious sign your blower motor has a problem. …
  2. No Airflow At All From Vents. …
  3. Skyrocketing Energy Bills. …
  4. Strange Noises When You Turn on the Heat. …
  5. Overheating Blower / Weird Smells.

How do you know if your blower motor needs to be replaced?

  1. Poor or Airflow from Air Vents. This will be the first and most obvious sign your blower motor has a problem. …
  2. No Airflow At All From Vents. …
  3. Skyrocketing Energy Bills. …
  4. Strange Noises When You Turn on the Heat. …
  5. Overheating Blower / Weird Smells.

What happens if blower motor fails?


Power to the blower motor is fed through the blower motor resistor

, so if it fails or has any issues power can be cut off to the motor. A blower motor without power will not be able to produce any air pressure, and as a result the heating and air conditioning system will be left with no air coming from the vents.

How do you test a blower motor on a car?

  1. Use voltmeter or ohmmeter to check for a blown fuse. If you find one, replace it.
  2. Start car and see if blower motor works. …
  3. If the circuits are in good repair but the blower motor keeps blowing fuses, replace the blower motor [source: You Fix Cars].

What does it sound like when your blower motor goes out?

A working blower motor will operate smoothly and inaudibly. A defective blower motor will make a continuous sound noticeable by the passengers in the vehicle. It can manifest as a

knocking, whirring, clunking, vibrating, squealing, or whining noise

that persists until the blower motor is replaced.

Can you drive with a bad blower motor?

A bad heater blower motor will not affect the safety of your car, with the possible exception of you

not

being able to clear the windshield of snow, ice, or condensation if the defrosters don't work. But you won't be comfortable inside your car, especially during the cold of winter and the heat of summer.

How do you troubleshoot a blower motor?

  1. AC Fan Doesn't Start. Even though you have the AC turned on, the fan does not start.
  2. AC Fan Doesn't Stop. …
  3. Slow Rotating Blades. …
  4. Outside Fan Blades Are Still. …
  5. Rattling, Humming and Buzzing Noises. …
  6. AC Runs Intermittently. …
  7. No Cold Airflow.

How much does it cost to fix a blower motor in a car?

In most instances this repair is on the relatively inexpensive side. A new blower motor will run

between $50 and $100

. Most blower motors sit in the dash underneath the glove box, and are accessible for replacement. Installation will run in the range of $80–$100.

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 tell if the blower motor is bad or the resistor?

  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 long does it take to replace a blower motor in a car?

This is around a

4 hour job

by an experienced Tech. At home, by a Novice with decent skills, about 5 hours plus!

How long should a car blower motor last?

Even though the manufacturer states their blower motor will last two decades, we advise all clients to expect a

10-20-year

life span due to age, use, and proactive maintenance.

What causes a blower motor to go bad?

The main causes of failure are

loss of lubricant, a failed run capacitor, a failed bearing in a belt drive, a little water dripping into the windings or a voltage problem

. So technicians should carefully check to find the cause of a failure before changing the motor.

What causes a blower wheel to go bad?

Blower motor breakdown can be the result of anything from old age to failed bearings, high amp draw,

electrical failure in the windings, dirt accumulation

, and more. “The most common cause is dirt accumulation due to lack of maintenance,” said Tom Beaulieu, president of Bay Area Services Inc.

Why is my car not blowing air at all?

Your

air intake is clogged

, meaning that air isn't getting in from the outside at all or isn't circulating properly. There is a blown fuse in the ventilation system. Electrical issues such as a bad relay. Damaged blower motor.

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.

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.