Car Blower Motor Works Intermittently - Maintenance Guide
Tags: World, Technical Analysis, Problem Solving, Mechanical Engineering, Technology

The world we live in today is known by many names. Well, the most famous one is "The World Of Technology". Almost all of our daily tasks are performed by machines. Like humans, sometimes the machines don't perform well. These issues require an immediate solution as otherwise, our world will stop. The famous and most common five steps to solve any problem are:

• Define the problem

• Gather information

• Generate possible solutions

• Evaluate ideas then choose one

• Evaluate While working with machines we do the same, detect the issue and evaluate the solution. Here we will deal with a car blower that's working intermittently.

Car Blower Motor

A car blower motor is a motor present inside the engine of the car. It is a fan that runs the heating and air conditioning system in a car. It is a smooth running fan. It is responsible for cooling your vehicle or heating it.

Issues Of Car Blower Motor

If you are having issues with your car blower working then let me share with you some knowledge. A few days ago, the heating system in my car wasn't working properly. The time warm blows in and the very next moment a cool breeze comes from nowhere making me shiver. In winters like this, it's quite difficult surviving without the heating system. So, I figured that the issue is with my car blower's working. It also noticed that my car engine was making weird noises too. Hence I decided to get rid of this solution. But first, we have to learn about the proper working of a car blower. There are two main types of blower motors: single-speed motors and high efficiency electronically communicated motors (ECM), also known as variable-speed motors. A single-speed blower is standard in many older furnaces and only runs on two speeds: ON at 100% or OFF at 0%. Just like a regular light switch, it only has on or off, with no settings in between.

A variable-speed blower on the other hand, runs continuously at a lower output and lower electrical usage. It can adjust the speed and air volume to perfectly match the desired heating and cooling air needs of the facility. It is similar to the gas pedal of a car because it can adjust speed based on demand. These blowers constantly monitor data coming from the system and can make adjustments for dirty filters or blocked vents by increasing airspeed.

How To Solve The Issues Of Car Blower Motor

If you don't understand cars or find it difficult just visit a mechanic. The most common problem is that the blower motor will not work or will work only on one speed. To diagnoses this problem, a common circuit tester is necessary. Check the fuse and the relay first. They are located in the fuse block in the driver's side compartment. Check the fuse for power and make sure it is good. If the fuse is good, check the relay by turning the ignition key and pulling the relay out of its socket. Check to make sure there is the power to two of the terminals in the relay receptacle. If not, and there is only one with power, turn the key to "Off" and check again. If there is still only one with power, the fan control switch is bad. If there was no power with the switch off, there is a problem with the power wire from the fuse to the relay.

If the fan works OK but some or all positions of the level control do not work and the air cannot be controlled, one or more doors are not functioning properly. If one of the doors does not open, there will be no heat. Remove the glove box to gain access to the heater and AC housing. Start the engine and turn on the heat and set the fan on high. Rotate the knob to regulate the position of the air exchange while watching the motors on the housing. The motors can be seen moving the arms on the doors if they are operating properly. Replace the one that does not move. If none of the motors moves to pull the connector off the closest one. Check for power at the connector while repositioning the knob on the control panel. If there is no power at the connector, replace the control head.

Maintenance Of Car Blower Motor

A bad working blower not only effects the interior of your car but this might also affect the operation of the vehicle. And you should get to the mechanic immediately. The three basic signs of the issue are weak airflow, noises and smoke or smell.

The car blower motor is supposed to last as much as the vehicle does. Due to the harsh conditions that the blower motor has to operate in, it will usually end up having repair issues.

Maintenance Programs for blowers can be grouped into three categories: routine, quarterly and annual maintenance. Routine Maintenance is the process of setting a schedule to inspect components that are considered to be a leading indicator of potential failure.

• The Routinely monitoring has the following things:

1.Bearing and Lubricant Condition

2.Shaft Seal Condition

3.Replace Filters

4.Checking Air Flow

• For Quarterly maintenance:

1.Check fan blades for cracks, missing balance weights and vibrations

2.Then inspect for obvious signs of dirt and debris buildup on the fan and/or fan blades

3.Check and record/chart motor amp draw readings. This proves motor performance and proper belt tension. Charting results can alert you to a problem that may not be visually evident.

4.Then clean fan blades and motor of dust.

• For Annual maintenance:

Following things are checked to learn the condition of motor:

1.Bearings

2.Rotor/Stator

3.Belt

4.Brush/Commutator

5.Motor Mount

6.Motor Temperature Control

7.Bearing Housing

8.Bearing Frame and Foot

9.Bearing Frame

10.Shaft

If you do not maintain your car blower motor or if it’s not in a good condition, it will have to go for a replacement. For professional blower motor replacement, most homeowners pay $350-$700.

Written by: Arooj Fatima

Picture source: google images