What causes a car blower motor to fail?

Author: Ms. Jaida Carter Sr.  |  Last update: Wednesday, September 24, 2025

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.

What causes a car blower motor to go bad?

They fail on their own quite often. Repeated failures are typically caused by excessive current draw from the blower motor (usually caused by tight bearings), or restricted airflow past the resistor causing overheating (plugged cabin air filter, dirty heater core or A/C evaporator).

What would cause the blower motor to stop working?

Overheating is one of the most frequent occurrences that can render the blower motor inoperative. If the motor has overheated, it may shut itself down to prevent damage. You should keep your HVAC clean and clear of any blockages or debris to avoid overheating and maintain efficiency.

How long should a blower motor last in a car?

In general, a blower motor should last for the lifetime of your vehicle if it is properly maintained. However, it is not uncommon for blower motors to fail prematurely due to factors such as wear and tear, corrosion, or electrical issues.

What causes a blower motor to burn out?

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.

SYMPTOMS OF A BAD BLOWER MOTOR

What breaks a blower motor?

If your motor's electrics and bearings are constantly exposed to too much heat, then they will begin to fail. If you let your motor overheat repeatedly and fail, then either a component has broken or a bearing has seized.To prevent overheating, check your vents, filters, and in-room airflow.

Can you drive with a bad motor blower?

SMOKE OR SMELL 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 much does it cost to replace a blower motor in a car?

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.

Can you drive your car without a blower motor?

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.

Why is my blower motor not working in my car?

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.

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

Strange Rattling, Clanking, or Screeching

One of the first signs you may notice when there's an issue with the blower motor is a strange noise coming from the indoor unit or air handler.

Will low freon cause a blower motor not to work?

If the indoor blower fan has malfunctioned, cold temperatures outside the home, or low refrigerant charge, the evaporator coil can freeze. If this happens, call your local Trane expert for professional assistance.

How do I know if my blower motor or relay is bad?

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 happens if blower motor fails in car?

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.

How many blower motors are in a car?

A majority of cars use one blower for the HVAC system. Some large vehicles such as vans and SUVs have two; one in the front and another in the rear. Blower motor features and configurations vary slightly.

What happens when a 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.

Can a bad blower motor cause no AC in car?

The blower motor is responsible for circulating the air through the AC system. If the blower motor is not working, the air will not be circulated properly, which will cause warm air to be blown into your car.

Can I still drive my car if the fan is not working?

Although in short, yes, you can technically drive your car without a radiator fan, it is not recommended that you do.

Why do blower motors fail?

The top reason that blower motors fail is because a heating and cooling system has restricted air flow, something we call “high static pressure.” There are many reasons this can occur. Air flow can be restricted when air filters are exceptionally dirty and rarely if ever replaced.

Is a blower motor hard to fix?

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

Do I need to disconnect the battery to change the blower motor?

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.

How long does it take to replace a blower motor?

It takes two to three hours to replace a blower motor. When you hire an HVAC repair company, they'll first turn off the home's electricity and gas, remove the old motor and other components, connect and test the function of a new motor, and reassemble the furnace as needed.

How to tell if it's the 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.

Which fuse is for the blower motor?

Blower motor is fuse 35 and is a 40 amp. You could test them with a meter or visually look to see if they're blown, then take it to a shop if they blow after replacing them.

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