3 Signs of a Bad Blower Motor Resistor - Guard My Ride (2024)

The blower motor resistor ensures your blower motor fan is not going at full speed all the time. Here’s how to tell your blower motor resistor is bad:

3 Signs of a Bad Blower Motor Resistor - Guard My Ride (1)

When you sit behind the wheel of your vehicle, you expect the climate controls to work as directed. So, what happens when the system isn’t blowing air as you demand? In some cases, it could be a bad heater blower motor resistor causing your trouble.

In this blog, we discuss the signs that the blower motor resistor is failing and show you where to look for it.Let’s begin with a look at the signs to look for.

3 BAD BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR SYMPTOMS

The most common symptom of a bad blower motor resistor is that you will only notice that your blower is working on the highest speed setting or that it won’t work at all.

The main symptoms of a bad blower motor resistor include:

  • Only One Speed From Blower Motor
  • Various Airflow Settings Not Working
  • No Air Coming From Vents

Here’s a more detailed list of the most common symptoms of a bad blower motor resistor:

ONLY ONE SPEED FROM BLOWER MOTOR

3 Signs of a Bad Blower Motor Resistor - Guard My Ride (2)

One of the most common symptoms of trouble with the blower motor resistor is when the fan gets stuck in one setting. Because the blower motor resistor adjusts the fan speed, the inability to change it can point to problems.

If the resistor fails or shorts, the blower motor might remain stuck at a particular speed. While you could still use the air conditioning or heater at his speed, you will want to repair it for complete functionality again.

This symptom can also be caused by other bad HVAC parts. You might want to troubleshoot the connections to the motor or the fan switch to ensure they haven’t become faulty.

VARIOUS AIRFLOW SETTINGS NOT WORKING

3 Signs of a Bad Blower Motor Resistor - Guard My Ride (3)

On the other hand, you might notice that the fan works in several settings, but not all of them. When the system is off, the blower motor resistor isn’t needed. This is also true when the blower motor is set for full speed.

However, the other settings require the resistor to control the flow. With that said, this condition could also be caused by the blower motor switch. Because of this, you might require a further diagnosis to determine which part is the culprit.

NO AIR COMING FROM VENTS

When the resistor goes out, you might not be able to get any air to come out of the vents. The blower motor resistor controls the power to the system’s blower motor. When it fails, it can cut off all power to the motor.

When the blower motor doesn’t get power, air pressure can’t be produced. You are left with a heater or air conditioner with nothing coming out of the vents.

However, there are other things you might want to check before the resistor if nothing is coming out of the vents. If nothing is working, you should start by looking at the fuses first. From here, you might also consider that the blower motor itself has quit.

THE FUNCTION BLOWER FAN RESISTOR

3 Signs of a Bad Blower Motor Resistor - Guard My Ride (4)

The blower motor resistor is part of the HVAC system and is an electrical component. It controls the blower motor fan speed. When you adjust the fan speed on the instrument cluster in your vehicle, the resistor is responsible for adjusting the speed that the blower motor runs at.

Because the fan speed is regularly adjusted, the resistor endures a lot of wear. The constant stress can cause it to fail at any time.

3 Signs of a Bad Blower Motor Resistor - Guard My Ride (2024)

FAQs

3 Signs of a Bad Blower Motor Resistor - Guard My Ride? ›

In case the motor resistor fails, it may cause the blower motor to remain stuck at a particular speed. You may still use the heater or the AC; however, you must replace the blower motor resistor to make it completely functional again.

Can you drive with a bad blower motor resistor? ›

In case the motor resistor fails, it may cause the blower motor to remain stuck at a particular speed. You may still use the heater or the AC; however, you must replace the blower motor resistor to make it completely functional again.

Which of the following is a common symptom of a 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.

How do I know if my blower relay is bad? ›

Inconsistent or Intermittent Operation: The blower motor may operate inconsistently or intermittently when the relay is failing. You may notice that the airflow is not consistent, with the blower motor turning on and off unexpectedly or not functioning at all.

What causes a blower motor resistor to go bad? ›

Heater resistors and regulators can fail for different reasons. We'll go over the most common causes of failure, like overheating from blocked airflow, rust due to water damage, broken seals and more. You'll also discover why a heater resistor failure makes it impossible to select different air speeds.

Can a blower motor resistor be bypassed? ›

When high speed is requested, the blower motor resistor is bypassed and the blower motor ground circuit is connected directly to ground. This allows the maximum current through the blower motor and maximum speed occurs.

How do I know if my blower control switch is bad? ›

Some of the signs of a failing A/C switch include settings that don't work, an A/C compressor that won't turn on, and a system that blows hot air. Aside from wear and tear, a blown fuse or a manufacturing defect may cause an A/C switch to malfunction.

What components should be checked if a blower motor resistor is found to be defective? ›

These include: The blower motor itself: Check if it is faulty or damaged. The wiring connections: Ensure that all the wiring connections are secure and free from corrosion. The fuse: Inspect the fuse related to the blower motor resistor and replace if necessary.

How do I know if I need to replace my blower motor? ›

You should replace your blower motor when you notice the following signs:
  1. Weak Airflow. The first indication that you have a faulty blower motor is when the airflow out of your air conditioner is weak. ...
  2. No Airflow. ...
  3. Unusually High Energy Bills. ...
  4. Strange Sounds. ...
  5. Overheating.
Apr 4, 2022

How do you test the resistance of a blower motor? ›

To test a blower motor with a multimeter, first set the multimeter to the "resistance" or "ohms" setting. Then, touch the probes of the multimeter to the terminals on the blower motor. If the resistance reading is infinite, that means there is an open circuit and the blower motor is defective.

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