What does a bad blower motor do?

Author: Prof. Vada Roob I  |  Last update: Monday, December 8, 2025

A bad blower motor can cause the HVAC system to use more energy and drive up your heating bills, and is one possibility that should be investigated if you notice a spike in your winter utility expenses.

How do I know if my blower motor is bad?

How do you know if your furnace blower motor is bad
  1. Unusual Noises. Screeching or Squealing. ...
  2. Weak Airflow. Insufficient Heating. ...
  3. Motor Overheating. Excessive Heat from the Furnace. ...
  4. Inconsistent Performance. Start-Stop Issues. ...
  5. High Energy Bills. ...
  6. Age and Wear.

What happens when your blower motor goes out?

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.

What happens when the blower motor goes bad in a car?

If it happens, you will hear unusual noises like slapping or sudden pop coming from behind the vent. Problems with the airflow have signs such as ongoing whirring, getting louder when you increase the fan speed. Thus, at the sign of the first unusual noise, get your car checked.

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.

SYMPTOMS OF A BAD BLOWER MOTOR

Will AC work if blower motor is bad?

Less air will come out from the vents; the air coming out could be warm, and the system may continually run without actually cooling your home.

How do I know if I need a blower motor?

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 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.

What is the life expectancy of a car blower motor?

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.

Can I run my 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.

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 causes a car blower motor to fail?

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 does a bad motor blower sound like?

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 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.

How do you test a car blower motor?

How to Test a Blower Motor: Step-by-Step Guide
  1. Step 1: Gather Necessary Tools. ...
  2. Step 2: Locate the Blower Motor. ...
  3. Step 3: Disconnect the Power. ...
  4. Step 4: Access the Blower Motor. ...
  5. Step 5: Set Up the Multimeter. ...
  6. Step 6: Test the Motor's Resistance. ...
  7. Step 7: Check for Continuity. ...
  8. Step 8: Assess the Blower Motor Resistor.

Can a bad blower motor cause no AC 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.

What happens when your blower motor goes out in your car?

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.

Is a blower motor expensive to fix?

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.

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 do I know if my blower motor is out?

If your blower motor starts to wear out, you may notice some symptoms such as:
  1. Little Airflow from Vents. As mentioned, the blower's job is to circulate air through the system. ...
  2. No Airflow from Vents. ...
  3. Loud Noises When the Heat Is On. ...
  4. Burning Odor from Vents. ...
  5. High Energy Bills.

Can a fuse cause a blower motor not to work?

Car AC Not Blowing Cold Air: A Bad Fuse

Find the fuse associated with the A/C blower motor. If the blower motor fuse is still in-tact, your problem is located elsewhere. If the fuse is blown, simply replacing the fuse with an identical fuse of the same amperage rating could get your system working again!

Does a blower motor affect AC?

A blower motor is the part of an AC or furnace that controls the amount of air pushed through the air handler. A motor's performance can largely affect air conditioners' functionality in meeting industry standards. Blower motors typically come in two types – single-speed blower motors and multi-speed blower motors.

How often do blower motors go out?

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.

Will a blower motor work without the resistor?

The blower motor can indeed function without the resistor. As we know, the resistor is responsible for controlling the blower motor's speed by regulating the voltage supplied to it. It will turn out that without the resistor, the blower motor may run at maximum speed or not function as expected.

Previous article
Can you speed up paint cure time?
Next article
How to deal with an uneven wall?