What happens when your blower motor goes out?

Author: Prof. Alva Keeling II  |  Last update: Saturday, December 20, 2025

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 do you know if your blower motor is bad?

A failing blower motor may emit unusual sounds. This may sound like screeching or squealing if it has bad bearings. You may hear a rattle or a banging sound if something inside the motor has broken or come loose.

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.

What happens if a blower motor fails?

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.

Can I drive my car with a bad blower motor?

Therefore, a faulty blower motor can easily disable a fully functioning HVAC system of a vehicle. This leads to unpleasant driving experiences and uncomfortable passengers. Therefore, get the blower motor checked by a professional technician at the earliest.

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

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 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.

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.

Can a bad blower motor cause no AC in a 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 causes a car blower motor to go bad?

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 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 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.

What happens if the blower motor fails in a 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

What happens when blower motor stops working?

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.

Can I replace my own blower motor in my car?

If your vehicle's blower motor is inoperative, it's best to hire a professional mechanic to repair it. The mechanic will have the right tools for the job, know how to locate the blower motor, and prepare the vehicle accordingly before disassembly.

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.

How do I reset a blower motor?

How Do I Reset the Blower?
  1. Turn off the circuit breaker powering your HVAC system.
  2. Unscrew the blower cover.
  3. Give the blower time to cool down completely before proceeding.
  4. Push the reset button (typically a red button behind the blower motor).

What causes a blower motor to go out in a 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.

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 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.

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