1996 Saturn SL1 Blower Motor Replacement Cost

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.

There's no set lifespan for blower motors, but they tend to fail more often in high-mileage vehicles. Age can be a factor as the plastic fan blades become brittle over time. The amount of use a blower motor receives may also be a factor. Also, debris entering the HVAC box can destroy a blower motor regardless of mileage or age.

If the blower motor is making a grinding or rattling noise, it will be removed first for inspection. If it's defective, it will be replaced. If the blower motor isn't blowing air, the technician will first find and inspect any related fuses. If that's not the issue, the blower motor’s electrical connector is inspected to determine if power is reaching the motor. If that's not the problem, the blower motor will be removed and tested with an external power source. If the blower motor fails to operate under direct power, it will be replaced.

If you can hear the blower motor operating, but cannot feel air flow from the vents, there is a problem with the airflow controls, not the blower motor.

If the blower motor must be replaced, either the glove box or lower cover will be removed from the dashboard. This will provide access to the HVAC duct box, and the blower motor service cover. The service cover is removed, and the blower motor is disconnected electronically. Finally, the retaining screws will be removed, followed by the blower motor. The blower motor resistor will be installed into the new motor, and then they will be installed using the reverse of the procedure above.

After the repair, the heater motor should run normally at all speeds and in all modes, such as defrost, heat, etc. The new motor should be quiet and not vibrate.