Blower Motor Replacement
What is a heater blower motor?
The blower motor is a fan located in the heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) ducts, usually behind the glove box. When the heater or air conditioner is active, the blower motor pushes air through the vents.
How does the heater blower motor work?
When you turn on the heater, the blower motor blows it across the hot heater core, sending heat through the vents. Likewise, when the air conditioner is active, the blower motor blows air across the cold evaporator, which blows cold air through the vents.
Heater blower motors can be damaged by fluid leaking from a heater core or evaporator. Any fluid leaks near the heater blower need to be resolved or the new heater blower will be ruined.
What are the symptoms related to a bad blower motor?
When the blower motor fails, the air conditioner and heater may still work, and heat or cool may be felt at the vents, but the air pressure will be dramatically decreased. This will occur at all fan speeds, and all temperatures.
Another possible symptom of failure is a rattling or grinding noise that comes from the passenger floorboard anytime the heater or A/C is active. This can be caused by broken fan blades, or a faulty bearing. This noise may come and go at random, and the fan speed may or may not change the noise.
Can I drive with a heater blower motor problem?
Driving with a defective blower motor means you won't have climate control — no air conditioning and no heat. It won't be comfortable — especially if you live in a place with extreme summers or winters — but it is unlikely to affect other components of the car or cause any damage.