Why wouldn't a blower motor work?

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • glucklich21
    E30 Mastermind
    • Apr 2010
    • 1912

    #1

    Why wouldn't a blower motor work?

    So I've gone through 3 blower motors and all 3 have had the same problem. They work inconsistently. I've replace the resistor 4 times, one time being a new one, cleaned all the connections, checked all the switches, fuses, etc, but to no avail. It's completing a circuit the best I can tell, ie: the recirculating button lights up for a quick second and the fan spins when you turn the ignition on. After that nothing. It use to only happen every now and then, but now it won't work at all hence motor #3.


    Any ideas?

    I'm hearing a relay kick off when it looses power, that I can hear.
  • Quadrajet
    E30 Fanatic
    • Jul 2008
    • 1278

    #2
    In general I'll make the comment on the assumption there is something wrong in the AC circuit. Two of my cars the AC didn't work because the pressure switch was bad, but didn't go any further, due to the fact that it doesn't get near as hot here as where you are.

    Hopefully someone with more info can enlighten you on where to look first.

    Comment

    • u3b3rg33k
      R3VLimited
      • Jan 2010
      • 2452

      #3
      Have you tested the fans outside of the car (known good power)? I'm assuming yes, and that you have a vehicle wiring problem.

      Ich gehöre nicht zur Baader-Meinhof Gruppe

      Originally posted by Top Gear
      Just imagine waking up and remembering you're Mexican.

      Every time you buy a car with DSC/ESC, Jesus kills a baby seal. With a kitten.


      Comment

      • ccrelan
        Member
        • Aug 2010
        • 54

        #4
        I am very interested in this thread as well. I have pretty much done the same exact thing and currently have 3 blower motors, numberous resistors, and still have nothing. At first, it was just the resistor. I replaced with a working one and everything was fine. However, I now have nothing. It was so frustrating that I pretty much took a time out with the car. It is worse because I am fixing the heater core and don't want to do it all until I have the blower working!

        Comment

        • 'e30love'
          E30 Modder
          • May 2010
          • 893

          #5
          Interested in info as well my blower motor only runs as I'm turning the car on when I'm on the starter the when the car turns on blower motor shuts off

          Comment

          • DaveSmed
            E30 Fanatic
            • Apr 2007
            • 1406

            #6
            Originally posted by glucklich21
            ...the recirculating button lights up for a quick second and the fan spins when you turn the ignition on....

            I'm hearing a relay kick off when it looses power, that I can hear.
            Originally posted by 'e30love'
            Interested in info as well my blower motor only runs as I'm turning the car on when I'm on the starter the when the car turns on blower motor shuts off
            Huge hints right there. Do you also happen to be having problems with your power windows, sunroof and power mirrors too?
            -Dave
            2003 Lincoln Towncar | 1992 BMW 325iC | 1968 Cadillac Deville

            Need some help figuring out the ETM?

            Comment

            • 'e30love'
              E30 Modder
              • May 2010
              • 893

              #7
              Originally posted by DaveSmed
              Huge hints right there. Do you also happen to be having problems with your power windows, sunroof and power mirrors too?
              Windows work sunrof works side mirrors stopped working, cluster doesn't work occasionally the speculated tries to work. I'll be swapping out my dah next weekend I'm prepared to see an electrical mess and be prepared for questions and pictures

              Comment

              • 'e30love'
                E30 Modder
                • May 2010
                • 893

                #8
                Windows and sunroof work. Mirrors stopped working and cluster and obc don't work.
                When I turn on the car the blower motor works, when the car actually turns on the blower motor stops working.

                My car very rarely but it does it'll turn off when I'm driving and a couple times it turned back on. Could something be loose in the ignition when you insert the key that could cut it off like move the key just enough to turn off the car?

                Comment

                • DaveSmed
                  E30 Fanatic
                  • Apr 2007
                  • 1406

                  #9
                  Is fuse 10 blown, causing the dead cluster?

                  Fuse 10 powers unloader relay K7, which in turn supplies power to fuses 19 and 20, which among other things supply the blower motor and power mirrors.
                  -Dave
                  2003 Lincoln Towncar | 1992 BMW 325iC | 1968 Cadillac Deville

                  Need some help figuring out the ETM?

                  Comment

                  • 'e30love'
                    E30 Modder
                    • May 2010
                    • 893

                    #10
                    Pretty sure I checked and no blown fuses I'll check again I doubt it thou

                    Comment

                    • DaveSmed
                      E30 Fanatic
                      • Apr 2007
                      • 1406

                      #11
                      Visually is not enough. If all your headlights work, swap fuse 10 with fuse 1. The element could have a small crack.
                      -Dave
                      2003 Lincoln Towncar | 1992 BMW 325iC | 1968 Cadillac Deville

                      Need some help figuring out the ETM?

                      Comment

                      • 'e30love'
                        E30 Modder
                        • May 2010
                        • 893

                        #12
                        Ok I'll try that when i get home

                        Comment

                        • glucklich21
                          E30 Mastermind
                          • Apr 2010
                          • 1912

                          #13
                          So I just took a volt meter to fuse #'s 1, 10, 24 (as a visual that connection was being made with the voltmeter), and 20. My control fuse, #24 was the only one with power.

                          So I'll throw in one of my spare relays and see.

                          Comment

                          • glucklich21
                            E30 Mastermind
                            • Apr 2010
                            • 1912

                            #14
                            Switched the relay with the known working one from my fogs. Still nothing.

                            Edit: I should point out I've noticed my mirrors have stopped working as of today. OBC is still kicking as is the cluster.
                            Last edited by glucklich21; 01-16-2011, 08:53 AM.

                            Comment

                            • DaveSmed
                              E30 Fanatic
                              • Apr 2007
                              • 1406

                              #15
                              Your car's windows working correctly?

                              Also, to further clarify, fuse 1 would have nothing to do with either problem, it's just a convenient 7.5A fuse to swap with. :)

                              Fuse 10 controls a whole load of things that are tied to the ignition, most obvious is the gauge cluster. If that works, it is a safe assumption that relay is getting power.

                              Fuses 19 and 20 are the ones controlled by the relay.

                              As you tested, Fuse 1 should only show power with the high beams on, fuse 10 with the ignition on, and 20 with the ignition on and the car not cranking.

                              The unloader relays receive +12v from the ignition, and ground out through the starter windings.
                              Last edited by DaveSmed; 01-16-2011, 01:19 PM.
                              -Dave
                              2003 Lincoln Towncar | 1992 BMW 325iC | 1968 Cadillac Deville

                              Need some help figuring out the ETM?

                              Comment

                              Working...