A Failed Motor
An HVAC blower motor will occasionally fail due to age, wearing out, or not being cleaned regularly. Symptoms may include strange noises, burning smells, or just plain refusing to turn on. If this happens and the motor is no longer operable, a new blower motor may be needed.
Replacing a furnace blower motor costs $560, on average. Depending on the size and type of motor, most people pay $300 to $900. The average blower motor replacement cost is $560, but the final price depends on labor fees, as well as the cost of the parts.
Blower motors are designed to last just as long as your furnace itself, anywhere from 10 to 20 years. Just as with any HVAC system, the better maintained and serviced your equipment is by experienced HVAC technicians the longer it will last and the fewer repairs you'll face.
If the blower motor is going bad, it will struggle to operate the fan. The result will be weak airflow coming from the vents inside your living spaces. This airflow issue can be one of the main symptoms that indicate the component needs to be replaced.
Symptoms of a Bad Blower Motor Relay
On platforms where the blower is directly controlled by the switch rather than a module, the relay will cause the blower not to work at all, which means there will be no airflow across the evaporator, and the effect will be the same as the A/C not working at all.
Blower Motor Resistor Test
Typically, if the fan will work on some speeds but not on others, the resistor is suspect. Okay, let's say there's no melting going on, but your fan doesn't work on all speeds. Typically, if the fan will work on some speeds but not on others, the resistor is suspect.
The fan stops blowing air: Anyone who has driven a car will realize that there is a problem when the fan isn't running when the air conditioning is on. If the cooling fans are not running at all, then this may be a sign that the fan control module is damaged.
A defective ground wire or ground wire connection and an open circuit in the power-side circuit (including the fuse, wiring, and fan switch) are the most common reasons why a blower motor fails.
Signs of Trouble: Watch out for wobbling blades, unusual noises, or sluggish fan speeds. These could indicate worn-out parts, loose connections, or a failing motor, all signs it might be time for a replacement.
A blower door test is highly valuable because it will identify where your home's air is escaping from. Once you know the location of air leaks, you can fix the problem and save money in all that wasted energy. The average cost for a blower door test is around $325, though it may range between $200 and $450.
A sail switch would be used to prove that the combustion blower motor is operating before ignition. In this case, the sail switch will be used as a safety device. A sail switch is installed in the blower housing of an HVAC system's combustion blower assembly.
The replacement of the blower motor is common and straightforward, so most shops will perform the repair — many on the same day.
If your blower motor is experiencing some issues, you may hear a high-pitched squeal or whistling sound. You may also experience rattling and loud screeching noises. The motor blower pushes warm air out of the furnace through the ducts into your home.
Some of the reasons a blower motor might fail are overheating, and excessive moisture. When dust, dirt, and debris build up, it can cause the windings and bearings to burn up more quickly.
Average Costs for Blower Motor Replacement
Standard Blower Motors: These might cost between $400-700, excluding labor. Advanced Multi-Speed or Variable-Speed Motors: These are generally more expensive, with costs ranging between $650-1250, not including labor.
Your car's HVAC 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.
The blower is supposed to last the entire lifetime of your car. However, situations vary and some climates require the fan to be used too often. Many car owners find themselves having to replace the blower after five years. The quality of the motor used to power the blower matters.