The blower motor is a critical part of a vehicle’s heating and cooling system. If the blower motor is faulty, the system stops working as it should. In a city with an extreme climate, this seemingly small issue can make your driving experience particularly uncomfortable.
If you notice signs of a bad blower motor, take your vehicle for a professional inspection and repair of the faulty blower. Take a look at this list of signs of a malfunctioning blower motor.
SIGNS OF A BAD BLOWER MOTOR
Detailed below are some obvious signs of a bad car blower motor:
FAN BLOWS AT ONLY A CERTAIN SPEED
A malfunctioning blower motor works at a particular speed only—however, a perfect blower motor functions at various speeds as per the car’s cabin temperature. Hence, if the blower motor fan does not blow the required amount of air, then it’s a sign of a bad blower motor. Moreover, this could be due to a damaged blower motor resistor or switch. Therefore, make sure your car is comprehensively checked and correct problems are diagnosed.
WEAK AIRFLOW OF THE BLOWER MOTOR
Another most likely sign of a bad blower motor is irregular or weak airflow from the AC. Wearing out of the motor with time is natural as the vehicle goes through general wear and tear. However, this affects the car’s blower motor function by hampering the push of air through the HVAC system, resulting in the blowers being not as powerful as they once were. The fans will work at certain speeds until they stop working altogether.
Such a fault not only results in poor airflow but also decreases the efficiency of the defroster as it uses the same fan to blow air at the windshield. However, as multiple faults in components and other reasons can result in weak airflow, proper diagnosis by a professional mechanic is always recommended before you assume it’s a bad car blower motor. Whatever the reasons, a weak airflow is quite a nuisance for vehicles.
UNUSUAL NOISES FROM HVAC SYSTEM
If you hear any unusual sounds coming from the vehicle’s HVAC system, it could be a sign of trouble. Foreign objects don’t usually get stuck in the engine compartment and slide into the blower motor fan. The blades of the fan are made of plastic and they can get damaged easily. If it happens, you will hear unusual noises like slapping or sudden pop coming from behind the vent. Problems with the airflow have signs such as ongoing whirring, getting louder when you increase the fan speed. Thus, at the sign of the first unusual noise, get your car checked.
SMOKE OR SMELL WHEN DRIVING
As the last indication on the list to know when your car’s blower motor has gone bad, you may notice signs of smoke or smell of burning when driving. In that case, immediately pull over. A burned blower motor cannot exactly damage your car but you are not sure that the smoke is coming from the blower motor. Such signs indicate damage and you must tow it to a mechanic before turning the engine back on.
HOW TO TEST A BLOWER MOTOR
The following three steps can help you inspect your car’s blower motor should the need arise. Make sure you have the right tools. If you don’t then buy from an online auto parts store in the UAE or a physical store nearby:
- Use a voltmeter or ohmmeter to check for a blown fuse in the blower motor. In case of a blown fuse, immediately replace it.
- Turn on the engine and check whether the blower motor is working. If the fuse blows again, now inspect for loose circuits.
- In case the circuits are in good condition but themotor is blowing fuses continuously, it’s time for car blower motor replacement.
WHAT IS THE LIFESPAN OF A BLOWER MOTOR IN A VEHICLE?
Typically, the blower motor in cars is designed to last for as long as the vehicle does. However, given the harsh and extreme conditions it has to operate in, the blower motor will usually have repair issues.
FAQs
BLOWER MOTOR REPLACEMENT COST
The blower motor replacement cost varies from car to car and also depends on the service providers. The charges for replacing a blower motor may vary from one auto service provider to another.
HOW DOES A CAR BLOWER MOTOR WORK?
In simple words, to understand the working of a car AC blower motor, the blower is set to increase the air intake by compressing it without creating a vacuum. As more air is pushed into the engine, it produces a boost. With the extra air in the boost, more fuel can be added to the charge to increase the engine’s power.
Therefore, a faulty blower motor can easily disable a fully functioning HVAC system of a vehicle. This leads to unpleasant driving experiences and uncomfortable passengers. Therefore, get the blower motor checked by a professional technician at the earliest.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information about common car troubles and their solutions.
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