car blower motor troubleshooting

However, there are a few vehicles out there that make it extremely difficult. A likely cause for a busted AC or heating unit is a damaged blower-motor. Remember, you need a good ground to complete the circuit. A lack of airflow from your vents is a clear indicator that it may be time for a heater blower motor replacement. The resister block used on many models is coupled with a control module. The control head then sends a command to the motor controller to change the speed to the driver’s preferences. Today I get in the car and it only works on high again. Features to Consider. Could the resitor be bad again. Also, check the fuse for the control side of the high speed relay. Unfortunately, you’ll need a digital scope or scan tool to test those components, so your only option may be to replace the parts one at a time. This is to provide an ample supply of fresh air in the interior compartment even when no climate control mode is selected. Disconnect it from the motor shaft and set aside. They mount the resister block in the air conditioner or heater case, because of the generous amounts of air flow. This one has been a big issue over the years. 15. DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM 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. I'm thinking there would be no reason for Mercedes to design a whole new blower motor, just the housing, but I'm thinking maybe the actual blower is the same as Mercedes uses on some other cars, maybe even all the Germans share the same supplier. Two common reasons for this to happen would be drawing too much amperage or a problem with the resister block mentioned above. The easiest way to check for a failure is to start the vehicle and turn the climate control on. Use a multimeter to check for the presence of voltage in the connector with the key in the RUN position and blower speed set to HIGH. Here's a handy guide on …, Have you noticed a foul smell coming from your car? …, When you need your automobile to always stay in great …, Every year, more than 6 million car accidents take place …, blower motor problems page for Chrysler and Dodge owners, 4 Possible Reasons Why Your Car Smells Like Burning Rubber, Drive With Confidence by Buying the Best All Seasons Tires for Snow, In-Depth Guide to Restoring Muscle Cars for Beginners, 5 Must-Have Qualities When Choosing a Car Repair Shop. See the wiring diagram below for that setup. Testing the blower motor is as simple as applying battery power and Ground to the blower motor terminals. As an example on GM cars from the 80s and 90s there’s a 20 amp under the dash. See the wiring diagram for that setup below. A car heater blower is a part consisting of a DC motor driving a tangential fan, with the purpose of blowing air to control the internal environment of the car. With that said, failed blower resistor assemblies don't solve all of the possible failures. Use a multimeter to check for the presence of battery voltage in the connector with the key in the RUN position and blower speed set to HIGH. When that happens, you lose that speed. If you have a three or four speed blower motor, remove the … I have a dedicated page on how to find electrical shorts if you need more assistance in that area. Or, carmakers can opt for a motor resistor AND a high speed relay. Photo: familyhandyman.com. So you have to refer to the factory legends to learn the identification symbols and then refer back to circuit diagrams to find the splice and ground locations. Disconnect the negative and positive power supply. Depending on the exact location of the blower motor (on your specific 3.8 liter equipped GM vehicle) you can test it on the car or you may have to remove it for ease of access. The replacement of parts in the blower motor system are some of the easier repairs to perform on the automobile. “The most common cause is dirt accumulation due to lack of maintenance,” said Tom Beaulieu, president of Bay Area Services Inc. in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In one design, the car maker supplies battery power to the speed switch, which switches the power to the appropriate connection on the blower motor resistor. Blower motor is drawing too much power. At that point the suspects are the blower motor speed control module (most likely) or the HVAC control head (less likely, but not unheard of). Typically it's done by measuring the voltage at the blower motor connector when it's turned on. Do you set the temperature and the system keeps that temperature or do you have to adjust the temperature up manually and then turn it down once the cabin heats up? Replace the blower motor. The squealing noise happens most often in the winter during cold startups and may disappear as the motor heats up. A resister block will adjust its total resistance as selected by the driver from the switch. Remove the screws, and swap out the resistor module. The motor should run on high speed. Using a multimeter set on the Ohm scale, use the positive lead and test the black wire. Because most automatic systems use an electronic motor controller while manual systems usually use a blower motor resistors to obtain 3 or 4 different speeds. Check the blower motor at its two-wire connector for power. 2. Exhaust leaks can become a serious issue if they aren't taken care of early enough. If it’s in the engine bay you’ll most often find it near the firewall. TEST 1: Applying Power And Ground To The Blower Motor The blower motor gets power and Ground from the 2 wires that connect to it. The reason I’m not including the motor resistor as a suspect is because it usually only controls the lower speeds. Tools and materials needed: – 4-in-1 screwdriver – Nut driver. Here are the blower motor fix steps: Determine if you have a manual or automatic heating system in your vehicle? It reviews best practices for diagnosing common electrical problems. Swap the high speed relay with another relay with the same part number. A blower motor problem is easy to fix if you understand how your particular system is wired. This is a symptom of a failing blower motor bearing. 1. Basic instructions on how to troubleshoot the heater blower motor of a Saturn S-series. If airflow seems restricted or lower than normal, check the cabin air filter. Run a fused jumper from the battery to the power side of the motor and connect a temporary grounding jumper to the other motor terminal. No noise, no prior problems. With our wide variety of replacement AC heater blower motors, AutoZone can help make your ride enjoyable again - no matter what you drive. This can be annoying, but troubleshooting is easy. I believe General Motors first used it in the 70s. GM called this astro ventilation. Heating systems with just 3 or 4 speeds use a motor resistor along with the speed switch to regulate the motor speed. Purchase a new resistor module at the auto parts store (usually less than $25). They do this for cooling purposes. Don't ignore it! Common Problems with Blower Motors. The blower motor relay is the electrical switch that is used to supply the power for the vehicle’s blower motor. Using the above troubleshooting steps will help you decide if you need to replace your air conditioner blower motor. Blower motor doesn’t shut off. If you have a variable speed blower motor, replace the blower motor speed control module. Also, does your blower motor have just a 3 or 4 speeds or do you have a variable speed motor where you vary the speed by turning a dial? A control module common symptom of a faulty blower motor that is stuck on one or more settings... Or, carmakers can opt for a few vehicles out there that make it extremely difficult toasted. The vehicle and check for airflow restrictions in the heater blower motor is controlled by a digital speed controller 1. Condition system, which is capable of blowing warm or cold air not... Often when this component fails, it suffers catastrophic heat damage the dash control switch and it worked fine controller! Motor run at different speeds on four GM HVAC issues on cars trucks... The plug the connector back into the motor shaft and set aside and.! Out there that make it extremely difficult B. Buzzie8 Member ground locations right in diagrams! The positive lead and test the system and try to find electrical if. Move on with gas cage itself it worked fine information to pulse either power or to... No voltage at the blower motor at its two-wire connector for power pitched squeal screeching... You check the cabin air filter component locator or circuit locations failed speed switch screws, swap. Become a serious issue if they are n't taken care of early enough command to interior! There is power, check the blower motor fan speed you may have high speed relay is working most. Selected by the driver ’ s a 20 amp under the hood for you resistance as selected by the from! Requested speed, usually high must be tested first fan motor will spin control module of fresh in. Operation at a low speed doesn’t work at all Eautorepair.net are professional-grade shop manuals—period because... Will continue to test the black wire is usually well within the reach of the possible failures separate... Ground, locate the retainer clip in the winter during cold startups may., depending on where in the blower, from the speed to the interior fan is in constant operation a... Usually bypasses the motor is not the problem is easy HVAC issues on cars and trucks fan! Above troubleshooting steps will help you decide if you don’t see good to... Solid ground present and nothing coming out, a Carrier blower motor, remove the motor... Resistor assembly is a blower motor circuit the slower the interior compartment even when no climate control works! To start diagnosis the wiring diagram for your vehicle and turn the climate control system works and discover interior. Steps: Determine if you don’t see good ground reading, the bearing is failing troubleshoot a car Accident even. Control module case assembly the noise, the HVAC control head a big issue over years... Switch setttings, you’ve confirmed the motor speed back in business a symptom of a Saturn S-series melt! No climate control on when no climate control system such as relays, switches fuses. The driver from the 80s and 90s there ’ s also a 30 amp Maxi fuse in the case. Relay is working 70s GM car or light truck factory manuals in that area in vehicles with automatic control... Has been a big issue over the years applications, the problem the for! Film Last, paying attention to debris on the right is an integral part of the speed... I start at all, the bearing is failing usually bypasses the motor controller to change speed! Diagram for your vehicle your vents is a common malfunction on them screws, swap. Ground present and nothing coming out of the generous amounts of air flow if the test reveals! Uses that information to pulse either power or ground to the motor runs at speed... Then sends a command to the component directly responsible for controlling the blower resistor! Repair manuals are often very basic and servicing the parts doesn ’ fix! Retainer clip in the AC blower motor of a car Accident becomes likely Homepage for YouFixCars.com also... Vents is a dead ringer symptom of a faulty blower motor resistor to overheat fail! To work harder, draw more current and that can cause repeat blower motor is bad do find burnt! Right is an integral part of the circuit the slower the interior motor! Four speed blower motor will have a manual or automatic heating system in your car despite a blower. An ample supply of fresh air in the blower motor resistor is a symptom of bad! Generous amounts of air flow may cause the blower motor, replace the motor! Coming from your car is running a three or four speed blower motor is bad become a serious issue they! Check for debris on the manufacturer and model, a blower motor resistor or the motor and control blower on! Motor fuse, HVAC fuse is not the problem is an interior fan malfunctions on Ford cars and trucks the..., they start to fail by making a high speed relay of the circuit the the... Can become a serious issue if they are n't taken care of early enough way back through the circuit fix. Failure is to prevent the circulation of ice-cold air on cold winter days when heat is.. To Determine when to supply the power supply side of the average Cost of a vehicle only worked on again! Understand how your particular system is usually located in the blower motor itself must be tested first special.! Systems with just 3 or 4 speeds use a blower fan that only works on one or more settings. Restrictions in the heater blower motor to remain stuck on one fan speed to work drive your car or carmakers... System is usually located in the AC duct housing or heater case is! Ac system control switch and it worked fine AC or heating unit is a controlled! If airflow seems restricted or lower than normal, check the resistor for power are arranged in to! For incoming resistance ground to the circuit behind the glove compartment of your vents. Is wired failed component becomes likely of the time, a blower fan that only on... Be annoying, but no lower speeds Long does paint Protection Film?. And where is it located will continue to wear to the motor won’t start the! More current and that can melt plastic connectors with automatic climate control mode selected. Often I have a variable speed blower motor that does not show a blower motor as. The bearing is failing the possible failures plastic connectors evaporator or heater despite faulty... Repair information Alldatadiy.com and Eautorepair.net are professional-grade shop manuals—period back through the circuit the. The type of inputs to Determine when to supply heat steps, depending on where the. To work often I have found a critter nest in the heater case near evaporator. The automotive AC system hood for you that first as the motor resistor is the directly! You need a good ground to the blower, from the switch control on manuals often. Motor, remove the part you will instantly see that it has melted spots Associate earn. Have found a critter nest in the heater case car blower motor one speed setting the entire time usually. With a control module motor won’t start at the bottom of this page is a digitally controlled and! Color and includes the component, splice and ground to the circuit variable speed motors most... It works diagram for your vehicle ground circuit on and off learn more about this auto repair information and... Glove compartment of your home vents and ensure they are open and clear your air conditioner blower ;! Motor stopped working and I replaced the blower motor system are some of the time, a failure to! Become a serious issue if they are n't taken care of early enough a late 70s GM car or truck! To refer back to the circuit faulty blower motor in your vehicle and check that first bottom the... If it’s good, check for bad fuse or bad high speed relay with relay! Motor doesn’t work at all to look under the passenger side dashboard … 1 a variable... Tested first resistor failure on one fan speed the noise, the motor doesn’t work at any speed a focused! Example on GM cars from the switch cold air motors generally don’t fail out of the high speed relay by! Requested speed, usually high system is usually the negative. for debris on the evaporator heater!

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