How do you know if your blower motor is bad?

Author: Hortense Rohan V  |  Last update: Sunday, March 23, 2025

6 Signs of a Bad AC Blower Motor
  1. Weak Airflow From Your Vents. One of the first signs you may notice is what feels like less air coming from your vents. ...
  2. No Airflow. ...
  3. Unusual and Loud Sounds. ...
  4. Climbing Utility Bills. ...
  5. Overheating. ...
  6. Tripping Circuit Breaker.

How do you diagnose a bad blower motor?

Look for these key indicators that you have a bad blower motor.
  1. Strange Rattling, Clanking, or Screeching. ...
  2. Weak or No Airflow From The Vents. ...
  3. A Sudden Spike in Your Energy Bills. ...
  4. An Overheating HVAC System. ...
  5. Replace or Maintain a Part in the Blower Motor. ...
  6. Replacing the Blower Motor. ...
  7. Keep Up With HVAC Maintenance.

How do I know if my blower motor needs to be replaced?

No Airflow

If you notice that there is no warm air at all coming through your heat registers, then you may have a broken blower motor. This generally means the blower motor has failed completely, which may indicate there have been problems for a while.

How do you know if your AC blower motor is going out?

One of the most telling signs is if the blower motor isn't blowing air at all or the airflow is weaker than usual. If you set your AC or heater to the highest setting and barely feel a breeze, your blower motor control module could be the issue. Another symptom to watch for is the blower motor running inconsistently.

Which of the following is a common symptom of a faulty blower motor?

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.

Heat Stopped Working In My Car! Blower Motor or Resistor?

What happens if the blower motor goes out?

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.

How much does it cost to replace a blower motor?

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.

Can I run my AC with a bad blower motor?

Your AC's blower motor is responsible for moving air through your air conditioner to cool it and then pushing it back out into your home. Without this incredible component, your AC can't provide any cooling effect, no matter how much the compressor runs.

How to know if it's a blower motor or resistor?

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.

Where is the reset button on a AC blower motor?

In AC systems, the air conditioner reset button is on the outside unit's lower edge, typically close to the ground. Some models have the reset button located behind the service panel, which may require tools to remove. Reset buttons are usually red or yellow with a clear “reset” label.

What does a bad blower sound like?

Faulty Blower Motor

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.

How do I know if I need a new AC motor?

7 SIGNS YOU NEED A NEW AC MOTOR
  1. AC Fan Doesn't Start. If you have a bad AC fan motor, you may have problems with your AC fan starting in the first place. ...
  2. Overheating of the Air Conditioner Fan. As a blower motor ages, it can start to overheat. ...
  3. Weird Sounds. ...
  4. Higher Energy Bills Than Normal. ...
  5. Weak Airflow From the Vents.

What is the life expectancy of a blower motor?

Typically, the lifespan of furnace blower motors spans from a minimum of 10 years up to about 20 years, with most enduring an average period between 15 and 20 years.

How do I know if I need to replace my blower motor?

You should replace your blower motor when you notice the following signs:
  1. Weak Airflow. The first indication that you have a faulty blower motor is when the airflow out of your air conditioner is weak. ...
  2. No Airflow. ...
  3. Unusually High Energy Bills. ...
  4. Strange Sounds. ...
  5. Overheating.

What are the symptoms of a bad blower motor relay?

On some platforms, a faulty blower motor relay will cause the blower not to work at all, which means there will be no airflow from the A/C. On others, the blower won't work on “high blow” but all the other speeds will work. The blower motor relay fails because it regularly deals with high current loads.

What does a bad blower motor smell like?

Electrical Burning Odor

Electrical burning smells can be highly alarming. This odor could indicate an overheated blower motor. Blower motors commonly overheat due to clogged air filters.

How to test if a blower motor is bad?

Disconnect the blower motor from its power source. Attach the multimeter probes to the motor terminals. A reading close to zero indicates good continuity, meaning the motor windings are intact. A reading of infinity suggests a break in the winding.

How much does it cost to replace a blower motor resistor?

The average cost for a Blower Motor Resistor Replacement is between $119 and $154. Labor costs are estimated between $43 and $54 while parts are priced between $76 and $99. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.

Is a blower motor easy to fix?

The replacement of the blower motor is common and straightforward, so most shops will perform the repair — many on the same day.

Why would a blower motor go bad?

What Causes Blower Motor Failure? Like other components in your HVAC system, the blower motor can wear down over time. 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.

How much does it cost to replace a blower motor fan?

“An average blower motor can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,500,” Smith says, “The more horsepower your motor has, the more expensive the replacement will cost.” This price range includes parts and labor. Residential blower motors are usually one-quarter, one-third or one-half horsepower (hp).

Can a bad blower motor cause AC to freeze?

If your blower motor is not functioning properly, it can't circulate air through your AC system, causing the evaporator coil to become too cold and eventually freeze up.

How long does it take to replace a blower motor?

In general, it can take two to three hours to replace a typical blower motor.

Do blower motors just go out?

The most common reason why your blower motor won't work on any speed is that you have a bad or blown a fuse. A fuse is a small wire inside of a connector that is used to protect the motor itself from a surge of electricity.

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