96 Explorer blower fan issues

[daryl.proffitt]

Our 96 Explorer blower fan has stopped working. I checked fuse 18 and any other that might even be associated with the AC/Heat. Replaced the relay, the blower motor resistor, the switch. Pulled the fan and it works when directly connected to the battery. Put a voltage meter on the feed to the fan. Power is shown in all on fan positions (grounded to the body of the truck). Power is also present when voltage meter is connected to both leads coming into the fan. Any suggestions as to what I am missing or need to check?

 

[lunchboxx]

I had a similar problem in my 96 Pontiac. When you checked the power feed to the motor there was power..but the fan wouldnt turn..
If i hooked the fan up to the 12V battery directly it ran great...

I guess when the fans get tired they can get stuck..the redneck answer is beat on it a little and see if that frees it up..otherwise I would suggest a bone yard replacement..not sure how much of a PITA that is on the EX...(never done it)

 

[daryl.proffitt]

Thanks for the information. I will try this and see what happens. May have to make a run to the salvage yard.

 

[gijoecam]

You have power all the way around. Sounds to me like you're missing the ground connection.

I'd have to check on the schematics when I get to work tomorrow, but it sounds to me like you're missing the ground path for the power. Without that, none of it will work at any speed.

 

[daryl.proffitt]

That is the only thing that I have not checked. If you can give me info on where the ground is located or where I might find the schematics would be a great help. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Cobraguy]

Power is also present when voltage meter is connected to both leads coming into the fan. Any suggestions as to what I am missing or need to check?

If I understand that statement correctly, you are putting your leads on the two connectors and getting a voltage reading. That tells me you have a ground. It also tells me the relay is operating correctly. You might want to try running a jumper from the fan ground to a known good ground and see if that fixes it. Maybe the ground you have is just enough to give you a volt reading, but not run the fan.

 

[daryl.proffitt]

Should I get a reading on each wire if I individually ground them to the engine block or some other ground? With all I have replaced I believe it has to be the ground wire.

 

[daryl.proffitt]

I get the reading when I connect the voltage meter to the connector that goes to the fan motor. There are two wires and I conneced the meter to each wire. I am assuming that one of those is the ground and one is the hot wire.

 

[lunchboxx]

I know this sounds SOOO ghetto, but have you tried turning it on to the high position and tapping the motor casing with a hammer..sometimes when they get old they get stuck...happened to me..just my 2C...i had 12v good ground and everything..and as soon as i took the motor out and jiggle it around a bit it would run on a direct battery connection..as soon as I put a newer Junk yard blower motor in, it ran ( and is still running) great...

 

[daryl.proffitt]

I had it completely out of the housing when I connected it directly to the battery. It ran fine with no vibrations or strange sounds.

 

[daryl.proffitt]

I got really frustrated and tried your old school method (after checking the ground wire). Pecked on the motor housing and it started running. Was just running on high speed until I pecked on the housing again. It is now running on all 3 speeds. Guess I will have to go to Pull A Part and find a new fan.

Thanks to all who have responded with help.

 

[lunchboxx]

gotta love it...made in america

if it quits workin..WHACK the SH*T out of it!! LOL