1997 Blower Motor question
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 208
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From: Brooklyn, NY
1997 Blower Motor question
My 1997 XLT 4.0 AWD w/Rear A/C has been having a Blower Motor issue for many months. Occasionally the front blower does not blow. Banging on the Blower Motor, either from under the hood, or even from inside the van underneath the glove box, will start it up again. Once running, it continued running okay until at least the next shutdown. This has gone on throughout the summer. Sometimes a good bump in the road would start it.
Now that the winter is here, heat and defrost are more critical, so it has become a bigger problem. Furthermore, is is now almost constant, where it rarely works without a bang. So it is time to actually fix it now.
From other posts, I think it is either the Blower Motor itself, or the Control Module / Resistor. But since the control module is not located on the motor itself, where I bang, it is probably the motor.
Question:
1 - What is the problem, and can I fix it with grease (elbow or actual) etc... or is replacement the proper option?
2 - Should I replace the wheel too, which is not available on RockAuto - but is on the junkyard options on eBay. Unfortunately those are often just as broken as mine. Generic Wheels are available in Auto Zone.
Now that the winter is here, heat and defrost are more critical, so it has become a bigger problem. Furthermore, is is now almost constant, where it rarely works without a bang. So it is time to actually fix it now.
From other posts, I think it is either the Blower Motor itself, or the Control Module / Resistor. But since the control module is not located on the motor itself, where I bang, it is probably the motor.
Question:
1 - What is the problem, and can I fix it with grease (elbow or actual) etc... or is replacement the proper option?
2 - Should I replace the wheel too, which is not available on RockAuto - but is on the junkyard options on eBay. Unfortunately those are often just as broken as mine. Generic Wheels are available in Auto Zone.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 1
From: Mitchell, SD
The motors bushings are probably shot, replacement is the only option. I personally would not go with used. A new one only runs $40 AM
Murray Climate Control PM274 - Blower Motor | O'Reilly Auto Parts
And it is not too tuff to replace. You re use the old wheel, it is just held on by a metal clip. If it has not hit anything, it should still be in good shape.
Murray Climate Control PM274 - Blower Motor | O'Reilly Auto Parts
And it is not too tuff to replace. You re use the old wheel, it is just held on by a metal clip. If it has not hit anything, it should still be in good shape.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
The blower motor fan often get jammed up with needles, leaves and debris.
Remove fan motor, clean and reoil the bushings.
Had to do it several times on mine.
Fall seems the worst with falling leaves and needles from storms and rain washing the crud into the fan air intake cowling.
Can measure the resistance of the motor speed resistor, shake leads while measuring for stable reading. They sometimes corrode.
Remove fan motor, clean and reoil the bushings.
Had to do it several times on mine.
Fall seems the worst with falling leaves and needles from storms and rain washing the crud into the fan air intake cowling.
Can measure the resistance of the motor speed resistor, shake leads while measuring for stable reading. They sometimes corrode.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 208
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From: Brooklyn, NY
New fan is reasonable enough, worth changing once I have to remove it anyway. Since tapping on the motor is what makes it start up again each time, I think the motor is the most likely suspect.
I guess I will vacuum out the vents too with a shop vac once I have the fan off.
I guess I will vacuum out the vents too with a shop vac once I have the fan off.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 227
Likes: 12
From: St Louis, MO
My blower did that exact same thing when the brushes were worn out. The motor won't start because they're not making contact. Tapping on it allows them to make contact again and get the motor spinning. You're right in replacing the whole blower motor. As far as I know the brushes are not available for that motor and the commutator is so worn, they probably wouldn't last long anyway.
While you have the blower out, clean the blower wheel and the face of the coil right inside the heater to get as much air as possible moving through the heater for the best heating and cooling possible.
While you have the blower out, clean the blower wheel and the face of the coil right inside the heater to get as much air as possible moving through the heater for the best heating and cooling possible.
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