Blower motor (I think) just died

[laxmankk11]

hey all,
been awhile since I last posted but I've gotten a lot of great help here in the past so I'm trying again.

I think my heat/ac blower motor literally just died on me (about 20 minutes ago) I was out on a service call and it was working perfectly normal then the fan just completely cut out. Does not work if set to defrost or vent or anything. AC and heat both dead. About two weeks ago I started to hear what sounded like something very small ticking with a fan. I work in IT so if anyone can relate - it sounded like something was just getting hit by the fan blade... like a little tick tick tick.. it changed with the fan speed and it would get faster if i turned it up. It was always faint and with the heat up high you couldnt really hear it.

I have an eddie baurer eddition so it has the rear heat option, I turned it on and heat still came out, and I can hear things changing when I press buttons on the HVAC unit.

Does this sound like the fan or blower motor died? If so what is a normal cost for repair? I am a tech person so I can handle tools and that stuff, Ive done a lot of my own work in the past, but if the dash has to come out then im not doing it myself.

I live in North Dakota (yeah, some people actually do) and its middle of winter, luckily its been a warm one (still above 0 today) so heat is a bit of a need.

Thanks for all help.

Kevin

1999 Eddie Baurer 4.0 SOHC, 192,000 miles
Has the computer controlled hvac unit if it matters, digital display and all.
Unit was on automatic mode and was set to 90 (max heat) if that helps.

 

[nrschaaf]

I could see two posibilities other than the blower motor and the fuse, you did check the fuse right? Provided you did then check your blowers intake. It may have sucked in some debris. One thing I have personaly seen is mice. I'm in VT so I somewhat feel your pain with the cold and so do the mice. Last winter they managed to get into my blower housing and build a nest in under 24 hours. This seized the motor untill I took it apart and cleaned it out.

 

[laxmankk11]

I wasnt to able to check fuses when it happened, I jsut got home and checked though. The only fuse for the blower motor was inside, a 7.5 amp. It was fine, not blown. I know theres a relay under the hood, I pulled it out and reset it but Im not sure how to check if its dead or not? And im not too sure where the blower motor is under the hood so im not sure where to check the intake. I dont think it would be anything like that because I was driving along, heat on and working fine then it instantly just cut out. No noise or anything just completely no air. I think the fan/blower motor died, but I know nothing about HVAC in a vehicile.

 

[nrschaaf]

The blower motor fuse is not 7.5 amp, that was most likely the fuse for the controls. The blower motors fuse should be a 50 amp Maxi fuse under the hood, position #9. The blower motor itself if located on the firewall next to the passenger side fender. you can see the what apears to be the back of an electric motor sticking out. I can't remember how to remove it, but I can look it up if you need.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

Start you truck, or just turn it to the "ON" position, turn the heater on high. and go under the hood to the blower motor, and take a few wacks at it with a butt of a screw driver, or with a small hammer, it it turns on, then yes it is your motor. I had mine last a week with the tap to start method.

The motor is about $40, and you have to remove the cruise control servo for throttle, and the washer tanks. to be able to take it out. there are 4 screws. When you do this BE SUPER CAREFUL WITH THE FAN!!! I broke mine because I was impatient. when you take it off, spray some penetrating oil on the shaft, let it soak for a while, and then very carefully, begin to pull it off, change your positions on the fan. it will seem like it is not moving, but it is. those fans fit on there tight.

You may need to get a new lock ring to hold it onto the new one, but I believe the new motor will have one with it.

If you break the fan, I found an exact match at my local NAPA, I can find the part number for you, if you need it.

Good Luck, it should only be about a 2 beer job.

 

[4rd Xplora]

Start you truck, or just turn it to the "ON" position, turn the heater on high. and go under the hood to the blower motor, and take a few wacks at it with a butt of a screw driver, or with a small hammer, it it turns on, then yes it is your motor. I had mine last a week with the tap to start method.

+1. This also works with fuel pumps, except someone has to start the car while someone taps the tank.

 

[Mail1306]

If it is the blower motor you should be able to disconnect the blower plug - before you remove it - and jumper the blower motor to 12 volts. If it runs the blower motor is not the problem. There is also a plug into the lower right side of the blower motor (inside the engine compartment). When removed it has three spring coils on it that control fan speed. Sometimes that will cause the problem.

 

[hjerrett]

I just had the same thing happen with mine, was working fine and just died. Mine was the blower motor, got a new one for about $40 from the auto parts store. Swap was really easy as well, there is a thread here on changing it.

 

[laxmankk11]

After a couple hours yesterday, its not the blower motor. I pulled everything out and plugged a new one in and nothing. Came back inside and researched more and I've been having symptoms of a failing speed control intermittently since I bought it. I put everything back together with the old motor in and left it at that. Came out to start it this morning and the damn thing came on no problems! Gonna be getting a new speed control here soon. Thanks for all of the replys.