When you get behind the wheel of your vehicle, you expect the climate control to work as directed. So what happens if the system doesn’t blow air like you ask? In some cases, it could be a faulty heater fan motor resistor that is causing the problem.
In this article, we’ll discuss the symptoms of poor fan motor resistance and show you where to look. We’ll also discuss the replacement cost so you can determine if it’s worth repairing. Let’s start with a look at the signs to look for:
The most common symptom of poor blower motor resistance is that the blower motor will only spin at one or two speeds. It can also cause the fan motor to stop working completely and you will notice no air coming out of the vents.
Here is a more detailed list of the most common symptoms of a bad fan motor resistor:
Symptoms of Faulty Fan Motor Resistor
1. Only one fan motor speed:
One of the most common symptoms of fan motor resistance problems is when the fan gets stuck on a setting. Since the fan motor resistance adjusts the fan speed, an inability to change it can indicate problems.
If the resistor fails or short circuits, the fan motor may be stuck at a certain speed. While you can still run the air conditioner or heater at its speed, you’ll want to have it repaired to get it back to full operation.
This symptom can also be caused by other faulty HVAC components. You may want to troubleshoot the fan motor or switch connections to make sure they haven’t gone bad.
2. Multiple airflow settings do not work
On the other hand, you will find that the fan works on several settings, but not all. When the system is off, the fan motor resistor is not needed. This also applies when the fan motor is set to full speed.
However, the other configurations require the resistor to control the current. That said, this condition can also be caused by the fan motor switch. Therefore, you may need additional diagnostics to determine which component is at fault.
3. No air comes out of the vents
When the resistor is turned off, you may not be able to get air out of the vents. The fan motor resistance controls the power of the system’s fan motor. If it fails, it can cut off all power to the motor.
If the fan motor is not powered, air pressure cannot be produced. You will be left with a heater or air conditioner with no vents coming out.
However, there are other things you may want to check before the resistor if nothing comes out of the vents. If nothing works, check the fuses first. From here you can also consider that the fan motor is turned off.
The Blower Fan Resistor function:
The fan motor resistor is part of the HVAC system and is an electrical component. Controls the fan speed of the fan motor. When you adjust the blower speed on your vehicle’s instrument panel, the resistance is responsible for adjusting the speed at which the blower motor spins.
Because the fan speed is regularly adjusted, the resistance absorbs a lot of wear. Constant stress can cause it to fail at any time.
Stove Fan Motor Resistor Location:
The heater fan motor resistor is often located under the dash. It is located in the heating and air conditioning compartment. It is connected to the air conditioning system, where you can adjust the fan speed of the fan motor. It can also be found behind the glove compartment of some vehicles. Anyway, you’ll find it near the fan motor.
When the resistance fails, it becomes more difficult or impossible to change the speed of the airflow. To diagnose it, the electrical circuits must be evaluated. There are many parts that can cause the same problems, but they are all relatively close together to make diagnosis easier.
Heater Fan Motor Resistor Replacement Cost:
The replacement cost of the heater fan resistor can range from $10 to $60 depending on the type of car you drive. In the scheme of heating and air conditioning parts, it is one of the least expensive to replace.
The motor resistance of the heater fan can often fail due to a defective heater fan and therefore you often have to replace both the heater resistance and the blower.
It is also not a difficult part to replace. It may take longer to diagnose the problem than to replace the resistor. If you are not comfortable with replacing the resistor yourself, have a professional mechanic do the job.
The average labor cost to replace a fan motor resistor varies depending on where you live and the type of vehicle you drive. It’s a good idea to shop around as you can get several quotes, some of which are almost double that of any other provider. In general, you can expect to pay between $50 and $200 for the labor involved in replacing the fan motor resistor, giving you a total of between $60 and $260 for parts and labor.
