What does the resistor on a blower motor do?
What does the resistor on a blower motor do?
The system requires a motor, called the blower motor, which powers the fan utilized to propel air from your cabin vents. The blower motor resistor controls the speed of the blower motor indirectly by relaying electrical current to the blower motor control module.
How does the speed of a blower motor work?
This means that the current running through the blower motor, and its’ speed is therefore controlled by the resistor value. The user chooses a fan speed by selecting a speed which then connects one of the resistors in the blower resistor pack.
What happens when a cooling fan resistor breaks?
If the resistor breaks or has any issues it may cause the fans to only function on certain settings. The cooling fan resistor is meant to send power to the fans in steps, so that the fans may operate at different speeds.
What causes a blower fan to turn faster?
The lower the resistance of the selected resistor in the pack, the higher the current that flows through the blower fan causing the fan to turn faster. The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified.
What are the symptoms of a failed blower motor resistor?
Blower motor resistor problems. Problems with a blower motor resistor are common in many cars. The most common symptom of a failed blower motor resistor is when the heater fan only runs at high speed and doesn’t work at low speeds.
How is the speed of the blower motor controlled?
The electronic module that controls the speed of the blower motor is called a blower motor control module. In some cars, the blower motor has only 4 or 5 fixed speeds. In this case, the speed of the blower motor is controlled by a blower motor resistor.
If the resistor breaks or has any issues it may cause the fans to only function on certain settings. The cooling fan resistor is meant to send power to the fans in steps, so that the fans may operate at different speeds.
How much does it cost to replace a blower motor resistor?
The blower motor resistor or control module replacement is not very expensive. For example, one of our colleagues had a problem with his 2011 Ford Escape: the fan only worked at the speed 4. He paid $50 to diagnose and $112 to replace the resistor at a local Ford dealership.
