Beyond temperature control, the blower motor also facilitates air circulation and ventilation within the vehicle. It helps distribute fresh air from outside or recirculate air from within the cabin, preventing stale odors and ensuring a clean and pleasant interior environment.
Without the blower motor, there won't be airflow in the system. If your blower motor is damaged, there won't be heat or cool air.
You can absolutely drive without a functional blower motor. I know some high temp climates like Arizona for instance tell you not to drive with the AC on in some instances, but I don't see why you shouldn't be able to drive it. If you're worried, just keep an eye on the temp gauge until you can get it fixed.
SMOKE OR SMELL WHEN DRIVING
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.
1. Inadequate Airflow Through the Vents. If you notice little or no airflow coming from your car vents, you likely have a failing heater blower motor. When the heater blower motor is damaged or worn out, it will not generate sufficient airflow for efficient heating or cooling.
An Overheating HVAC System
If your blower motor starts to go out, it can cause the rest of the system to overwork and heat up.
The average cost for a Blower Motor Replacement is between $342 and $362. Labor costs are estimated between $68 and $86 while parts are priced between $274 and $276. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.
Repairing a blower motor costs anywhere from $150 to $1,500, depending on what went wrong. On the other hand, a full replacement might cost upwards of $2,000 once you factor in labor costs. So if your repair estimate is sky-high, you might get a better value with total replacement.
The most common reason why your blower motor won't work on any speed is that you have a bad or blown a fuse.
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.
Weak Airflow or No Airflow at All
Weak airflow or no airflow from the vents is a common sign of a worn-out blower motor. Blower motors are subject to wear and tear like any other car part, which could hamper the flow of air coming from the HVAC system.
The blower motor controls the airflow for the heating and cooling system; it is one of the main components for the HVAC system to operate properly. The blower motor turns on the fan in your HVAC system, allowing the air to circulate out of the system and into the rooms of your home.
Step 1: Prepare the vehicle
Start by disconnecting the negative battery terminal, and set it aside someplace where it isn't touching metal. If applicable, remove the passenger-side floor mat. Typically there is a plastic cover underneath your glove box.
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.
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.
The blower motor relay fails because it regularly deals with high current loads. As a result, it can overheat and eventually melt, resulting in the relay fusing itself into the fuse box.
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.
You can reasonably expect to find replacement blower motors at Parts Geek from $20 to $120, while the majority of these motors cost between $190 - $275 when you buy them from other parts stores. Costs for this part depend on several factors: Compactness of design. Levels of blower precision.
In general, it can take two to three hours to replace a typical blower motor. If a highly qualified technician has the part in stock, it can take as little as 1.5 hours.
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 motor either burns out or short circuits, it will not function at all, which means you won't get any hot or cold air. In most cases, the mechanic servicing your vehicle will need to replace the blower motor entirely if you are to have restored operation in the system.
The replacement of the blower motor is common and straightforward, so most shops will perform the repair — many on the same day.
More specifically, systems that include blower motors have a lifespan of roughly: Air-Source Heat Pumps: 10 to 12 years, with a maximum of 15 years or more. Furnaces: 10 to 20 years, depending on maintenance schedules. DX Air Conditioners: 15 to 20 years, depending on maintenance schedules and manufacturer quality.