No, not all blower motors have a reset button. While many older electric furnace and HVAC blower motors feature a built-in, physical reset button (usually a small red or yellow button on the motor housing), many modern systems omit them.
The blower motor reset button is usually a small, red or yellow button located directly on the motor housing, inside the blower compartment of your air handler or furnace.
First, turn off the power supply to the furnace by turning off the breaker in the circuit box. Locate the reset button on the furnace and press it to reset the furnace. It is usually located inside the blower compartment on the side of the blower motor. Be cautious, as the housing may be hot.
Otherwise, clear away any dust or debris with a rag, making sure to work gently. Reset the Motor. Most blower motors are controlled by a red or black switch on the side of the unit. Hold the button down for a few seconds (the manual will tell you precisely how long), then release.
A bad blower motor—whether in your car or home HVAC system—struggles to push air effectively. Common symptoms include weak or no airflow from the vents, abnormal noises like grinding or squealing, strange burning smells, and a fan that works intermittently or stops entirely.
The Average Lifespan of Blower Motors in HVAC
Here is a closer breakdown of the average fan motor lifespans: Air Conditioners: 10 to 15 years. Furnaces: 10 to 20 years with regular maintenance.
A bad blower motor relay will typically cause your HVAC system to produce no airflow, blow warm air only, or leave the fan running constantly. It often fails due to overheated electrical contacts or melted wiring.
Knowing the common causes of blower motor failure and how to fix them can save much time and money.
The reset button for your HVAC system depends on the component you are trying to reset. Typically, it is either a dedicated red or yellow reset button located on your outdoor condenser or indoor furnace/air handler, or you can perform a system reset using your main electrical panel or local shut-off switch.
Average blower motor replacement cost
Blower motor replacement costs $500 to $2,300, depending on the motor type, size, and speed, how easy the HVAC system is to access, the warranty status, and local labor rates. Replacing an ECM blower motor costs more than a PSC motor due to the higher part cost.
Most modern furnaces come with a built-in safety reset button that will trigger when the furnace is not safe to run. It's a red or yellow button inside the furnace either near the burners or somewhere inside the blower compartment. This is a safety feature designed to shut down the furnace when it detects a problem.
A furnace blower motor is the heart of your heating system. It's the part that pushes warm air from your furnace through the ducts and into your rooms. Without a working blower motor, your furnace might create heat, but that heat would stay trapped inside the unit.
The heat exchanger is often considered the most costly part of a furnace to repair or replace. It is a critical component that transfers heat from the combustion process to the air that circulates throughout your home. Over time, heat exchangers can crack due to the constant heating and cooling cycles they undergo.
A blower motor not turning on is typically caused by a tripped circuit breaker, a dead run capacitor, a faulty control board, or a burnt-out motor. You can quickly troubleshoot the issue yourself by verifying basic power connections and checking for physical obstructions.
Common Issues Requiring Simple Fixes
To reset a furnace, lower your thermostat to the lowest setting. Turn off power using the furnace's emergency switch or circuit breaker. Wait 2-5 minutes, turn the power back on, and adjust your thermostat. If the furnace locked out due to a safety issue, you may need to press the reset button.
To get your furnace to kick on, first verify your thermostat is set to "Heat" and raised at least 5 degrees above room temperature. Next, check that the furnace power switch (usually resembling a standard light switch on or near the unit) is toggled "ON".
Many modern ACs come equipped with a reset button – a little lifesaver often painted red or yellow, tucked away on the outdoor unit near the compressor. It's like hitting Ctrl+Alt+Delete on your computer, rebooting the system to clear minor glitches. But here's the catch: not every AC has one.
To reset an air conditioner fan motor, turn off power at the thermostat and circuit breaker. Wait 5 to 10 minutes to allow the motor’s internal limit switch to cool, then restore power. If it still doesn't spin, press the physical reset button on the motor or replace its capacitor.
To determine if a blower motor is bad, first test for physical operation by attempting to spin the fan cage by hand; if it is seized or stiff, the motor is bad. Next, check the attached capacitor and motor windings using a multimeter.
An HVAC blower motor typically lasts between 10 and 20 years, with an average lifespan of roughly 12–15 years, depending heavily on regular maintenance, usage, and system conditions. Proper care, such as regular air filter replacements and professional tune-ups, can extend the life of the motor, while neglect can lead to failure in as few as 5–10 years.
Blower motors can overheat due to various issues such as dust buildup, a clogged air filter, or mechanical failure. If your HVAC system frequently shuts off or goes into “safe mode,” it might be because the blower motor is overheating.
The blower motor relay is typically located in the main engine bay fuse box (Power Distribution Box) or a secondary fuse panel under the dashboard on the passenger side. It is usually a small black, grey, or green plastic cube, often labeled "BLWR," "HVAC," or by a fan symbol on the fuse box cover diagram.
The average cost for a Blower Motor Relay Replacement is between $109 and $133. Labor costs are estimated between $50 and $73 while parts are priced between $59 and $60. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your unique location.
To determine if a relay is blown, you can perform a simple swap, a click test using a battery, or a thorough diagnostic with a multimeter. A blown relay usually causes a component to stop working entirely or operate intermittently.