heater problem

[emtard]

hello, basically i have a 92 ford explorer. i don't know why, but my heater wont work. the fan doesn't even turn on. i don't even know were to start. my brother in law said that it wasn't the fuse and that it could be the switch, but how do i check? please help!

 

[2KExplorerSport]

Try this thread here. Has information on checking the relay and resistor for the blower motor.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=258482&highlight=heat+blower

Hope this helps! Let us know how you make out.

 

[2KExplorerSport]

Does the blower work on ANY of the settings? Is there heat even though the blower's not working? If you set it on vent or defrost and hold your hand near said vent or defroster, does it feel warm at all, or is it just cold? If you feel heat radiating even with no fan I believe that would indicate the heat itself is working fine and you should focus your search on the relay and resistor I mentioned previously.

 

[emtard]

we're gonna have to double check, but the last time we did there was nothing blowing out of the fans on any of the settings. we're not sure about the heat because when we checked, it was briefly and we just figured the heater didn't work.

 

[huntman58]

Also when you’re driving it if you put it on hot and panel when you’re moving at say 45 MPH you should feel air coming threw the vents as it’s out side air. Now if it’s warm then the heat is getting to the heater core and the problem is in the fan resistor and or the switch.

A side note when and if you pull the resistor out and or the fan also clean out the air box for them as they do tend to collect leafs and other things that could catch fire from the resistor when it’s working right and hot. Just a good little extra safety step to take.

 

[SuRrEaLNJ]

turn the fan on and wack the back side of the blowermotor with a hammer, if works then you need a blower motor

 

[huntman58]

turn the fan on and wack the back side of the blowermotor with a hammer, if works then you need a blower motor

And if it dose not work, well it most likely never will again if ya hit it to hard.

Reminds me of my tool box sticker
“If it jams force it. If it breaks it needed replacement any way"
or
“I am mechanically inclined I can screw any thing up"

 

[arco777]

If your fan doesn't run try this. Unplug the connector at the blower motor. It's on the passenger side firewall. Hook up a multimeter/voltmeter to the harness side of the connection and turn the fan selector on. Check for voltage at all speed settings.

If you have no voltage at any speed setting check your fan fuse. If the fuse is good your fan relay is likely bad so reconnect the fan connector. The owners manual shows which relay the fan is run with; they do go bad sometimes, that was the case with my 93. Pull that relay out and replace it with one of the ABS relays temporarily, and try the fan again. If the fan works now, you just had a bad relay. Auto parts stores have replacement relays pretty cheap.

If you had voltage at the fan connector at all speeds but the fan doesn't spin, the fan motor is probably bad or locked up. Remove the fan from the housing by removing the air intake box and then the three screws holding the fan motor in. Clean out any junk (leaves, etc) in the blower motor housing as it can be a fire hazard and jam up the motor. A vacuum works well for this. Hold the motor firmly and have someone turn on the fan switch; if the fan spins you're good, if not your fan motor is done for.

If you had voltage at the fan connector for only full speed, you probably have a bad blower motor resistor. It is located very close to the fan; if the fan's out, you can reach in the housing and around the right corner you'll feel the coils of the resistor. Careful as they may be hot! Make sure there's no junk in this area as it can catch fire!

 

[SuRrEaLNJ]

And if it dose not work, well it most likely never will again if ya hit it to hard.

Reminds me of my tool box sticker
“If it jams force it. If it breaks it needed replacement any way"
or
“I am mechanically inclined I can screw any thing up"

was intended as a diagnostic aid, much like hitting a starter or fuel pump. just a quick easy way to rule out the rest of the probabilities if it does work.

 

[huntman58]

was intended as a diagnostic aid, much like hitting a starter or fuel pump. just a quick easy way to rule out the rest of the probabilities if it does work.

I know it was just hit me funny as it could mean a tap to one and a hard hit to another.

 

[huntman58]

Arco777 do you have to remove the airbox? on my 93 you can get to it with out removing it as all the fan screws are able to be gotten to from the motor side not easy for the bottom ones but do able.

 

[arco777]

The airbox removal is probably not necessary but makes things a lot easier, especially when motor attaching screws are dropped

Curious if any progress/diagnosis has been made by original poster.

 

[SuRrEaLNJ]

I know it was just hit me funny as it could mean a tap to one and a hard hit to another.

i only have three speads hit (tap) beat or whale on (beat the crap out of) and destroy... (ah crap it broke)