Are you experiencing weak airflow or no air from the vents of your car? Or is the fan blowing at certain speeds? Then you might have to start thinking about furnace blower replacement. The average cost of what you have to pay for furnace blower motor replacement is between $307 and $325. Labor costs are projected to be between $69 and $86 per hour, with parts costing $239. This range excludes taxes and fees, as well as your individual car and geographic region. In this article we will talk about the furnace blower motor and the need for it to be replaced in detail.
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Furnace Blower Motor Replacement: The Basics
Before we discuss furnace blower motor replacement let us first familiarize ourselves with what a furnace blower motor is. A blower motor is a part of the HVAC system in a home. When the heating system is turned on, the motor blows hot air through vents. When the air conditioning system is turned on, some blower motors blast cold air.
A blower motor is also present in vehicles, and it is part of the system that pushes hot air throughout the vehicle when the heating system is turned on. When the air conditioning system is turned on, it also blows through the vehicle's AC evaporator to provide cool air.
Almost every vehicle on the road is fitted with a heating and air conditioning system that is designed to keep the occupants comfortable. The heater blower motor is one of the system's components. The blower motor is the primary electric motor in charge of blowing air through the vents.
The blower moves air past the heater core or air conditioning evaporator from an outside source (known as vented air) or from cabin air (known as cabin air). As a result, heat is transferred to the interior of the car or from the inside to the outside. A blower motor is located under the dash, next to the kick panel on the right side of the automobile, in the majority of vehicles.
The heater core and evaporator, on the other hand, are in different places. The blower will always be in close proximity to both of them. The blower motor resistor, which is situated near the blower and in the line of the air flow, controls the speed of the blower motor. Blower motor resistors come in two varieties.
To make the resistance, wire coils of various thicknesses are used. Each speed has its own coil. On the low setting, 12 volts will be delivered to the resistor and just 4 volts to the blower. As the settings are increased, other coils with lower resistance are used, resulting in larger voltages and faster speeds. A transistorized form of resistor is used in many contemporary autos. It continues to operate in the same manner and is still located in the same place. The resistor is in the air stream because a resistor that reduces voltage produces heat, and the air stream keeps the temperature cool.
The climate control head can be either manual or automatic. In manual mode, the fan responds to the manual settings only. A series of sensors are activated in the automated mode. There are sensors that measure the temperature difference between inside and outside. The automatic control head will try to maintain a steady temperature.
The door and window mechanisms are likewise linked to the automatic control. When the climate control detects that a door or window has been opened, the fan speed is increased to maintain the indoor temperature.
The blower motor resistor or the motor will be found to be defective the majority of the time. Starting the vehicle and turning on the climate control is the simplest approach to check if you already need furnace blower motor replacement. Check for power at the two-wire connector on the blower motor. The motor is bad if there is power. Check the resistor for power if there isn't any. If no power is detected, the control head is defective.
When the heater blower motor fails, the vehicle's heating and air conditioning system may be rendered inoperable, limiting comfort and perhaps disabling vital features such as the window defogger. A broken or malfunctioning heater blower motor usually causes a few indications that warn the driver to a potential problem.
How do I know if my furnace blower motor is bad?
- The vents have a poor airflow
A lack of blower pressure or no blower at all is one of the most prevalent faults with a car climate control system. That means a trickle instead of the rush you requested from your vents. When this happens, you're left with a heat or air conditioning system that is woefully insufficient.
People usually notice this as one of the first indicators that you need furnace blower motor replacement. Your motor will wear out over time as part of the normal wear and tear that your vehicle endures. As a result, the motor won't be able to push as much air through your vehicle's HVAC system, and you'll notice that the blowers aren't as forceful as they used to be.
You may also find that the fan operates at some speeds but not at others, or that the fan stops working after you reach a particular speed. This not only causes poor airflow through the vents that heat and cool your cabin, but it also reduces the performance of the defroster, which relies on the same fan to blow air at the windshield.
There are various components that could be malfunctioning and causing these troubles, so it's crucial to get the problem professionally diagnosed by a competent mechanic before assuming it's your blower motor. However, this is a problem that will quickly escalate into a nuisance.
- There is no air coming from the vents
A sign of a damaged blower motor is no air movement from the vents when the heater or air conditioner is turned on. The heater blower motor will not function if it burns out or short circuits, and the system will not be able to produce any airflow. To get the system back up and running, the blower motor will almost always need to be replaced.
A broken blower motor will bring discomfort to the driver and the vehicle's passengers as it disables an otherwise fully functional heating and air conditioning system. If you believe your vehicle's blower motor is failing, have it evaluated by a competent technician to see about furnace blower motor replacement.
- Only specific speeds of the fan are available
A motor that only works at particular speeds is another sign of a faulty or malfunctioning heater blower motor. Most blower motors are designed to run at various speeds in order to effectively regulate various cabin temperatures. The blower motor may be defective if it fails to push air at any of its intended settings. A failed blower motor resistor or switch can also cause this, therefore getting the vehicle fully checked is highly recommended.
- Noises
Have you heard any strange noises coming from your vehicle's air conditioning system? It's not uncommon for extraneous things to be pulled into the engine compartment and stuck in the fan motor. Because these blades are made of plastic, they can easily be damaged or even snap off.
If this happens, you'll probably hear a slapping or a sudden pop coming from just behind the vent, followed by issues with your airflow. You may also hear continuous whirring noises, as well as noises that alter or become louder as the fan speed is increased. All of these symptoms point to an issue with the blower motor.
- Smoke or smells
You may even notice smoke or the scent of burning while driving, in which case you should pull over right away. A burned-out blower motor won't ruin your automobile, but you can't be sure it's the blower motor that's burning straight immediately. If you observe any of these problems, you should have your car inspected before continuing to drive.
- Super High Energy Bills
The blower motor is the most energy-intensive component in a central HVAC system. If your furnace already has a variable speed blower motor, and it is not clogged with dirt, the motor may be worn out and nearing its end of life. Blowers that are dirty have to work harder to push conditioned air through your ducts, but this could also be an indication of a failing blower motor. It's also likely that you have a significant leak in your air ducts.
The blower motor in your car is an important component of its heating and cooling systems. You'll have a much more difficult time controlling the temperature of your vehicle's interior if you're dealing with a malfunctioning blower motor.
This may or may not affect the functionality of your car, but it will undoubtedly affect your comfort and be a major inconvenience during periods of excessive heat. As a result, if you see any indicators that your blower motor is failing, you should contact a reputable professional immediately.
Reasons for Furnace Blower Motor Failure
The blower motor, like other components in your HVAC system, can wear down over time. Overheating and excessive moisture are two common causes of blower motor failure. When dust, dirt, and debris accumulate, the windings and bearings might overheat and burn out more quickly. Furnaces are typically situated in a secluded area such as the attic, basement, garage, or utility room. Blower motors can fail due to overworking or electrical shorts if they are clogged with debris or become saturated with moisture.
Furnace Blower Motor Replacement: Can a blower motor be repaired?
There are a variety of things that might go wrong with your heating system, but if the air stops blowing completely, even on cold air settings, a blower motor replacement is likely required. The good news is that it's a relatively simple fix.
As costs climb, it's more cost-effective to replace your furnace rather than repair it. The more of the following variables apply to your furnace, the more it makes sense to get a new one rather than repair the old one.
However, whenever issues come up with components on an electrical circuit, you must check the fuse before anything else. Fuses are straightforward to check and replace. You don't have to waste time on other diagnostics just to discover it was a bad fuse. Visually inspect the fuse or replace it with a healthy fuse to see if the problem goes away. If it happens, you can be sure the fuse was to blame.
If the problem isn't the fuse, you'll need to dive a little further and inspect the wiring. In most automobiles, the blower motor is found under the dashboard on the passenger side. Look for any loose plugs that may have been kicked loose by accident. It's time to double-check the wiring now that everything is connected. To examine each wire connection, you'll need a wiring diagram and a probe or multimeter. After you've double-checked the wiring, you can move on to the motor.
If the wiring is in good working order, the next step is to make sure the problem is with the motor. Remove the blower motor from the car with the help of a repair manual. Examine the fan for any debris or other obstructions that may have prevented the blower from moving. Rodents are well-known for constructing nests in heater boxes.
If the wiring and motor are good then it’s time to look into furnace blower motor replacement. The replacement of a blower motor is usually simple. Purchase a new one and bring the old one with you to ensure it is the same model.
If you find yourself needing a furnace blower motor replacement you will have to find a good mechanic if you don't want to sweat or freeze. Because blower motor replacement is a common and straightforward procedure, most shops will do so, and many will do so the same day. An experienced tech should be able to complete this job in about 4 hours and about 5 hours more at home, by a novice with decent abilities!