Car issues

[Donut417]

Hey guys. I got a 2006 Ford Focus. Today I turned on my fan so I had heat, because even though its spring it still a bit cold here in Michigan. Any way as I am driving I hear my blower motor running slower and slower until it turns off on its own. Keep in mind I had it on full blast. So I turn it off thinking my blower motor died. About 5 or so min later I turn it back on full blast and it works. Any ideas?

 

I just want to know if I should think about replacing it. Or if there could be other issues wrong. Also if this is a problem that I can fix myself. Keep in mind Im tech savvy, not car savvy. 

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

Did you have the climate control on auto?

[Donut417]

42 minutes ago, BlueChinchillaEatingDorito said:

Did you have the climate control on auto?

Yeah, I dont have any type of climate control system. Just the standard dial switches. I did a little more research and Im thinking maybe the blower motor resistor is failing. They said that it might work if this fails just not at all speeds or it could stop working. Because my blower motor doesn't make any weird noises like its failing. 

[WindirBear]

Battery?

[vetali]

If the blower motor actually stopped spinning its most likely a problem with the blower motor resistor. I doubt it is a problem with the blower motor itself because if it was actually slowing down due to brushes or mechanical resistance, amperage would go up and eventually blow a fuse. In this case, your blower motor would not function afterwards. Its an easy and cheap fix if it is the problem.

 

 

[Donut417]

24 minutes ago, WindirBear said:

Battery?

Battery is about 2 years old, so I highly doubt it. Plus it hasent been cold enough for the battery to be effected. 

10 minutes ago, vetali said:

If the blower motor actually stopped spinning its most likely a problem with the blower motor resistor. I doubt it is a problem with the blower motor itself because if it was actually slowing down due to brushes or mechanical resistance, amperage would go up and eventually blow a fuse. In this case, your blower motor would not function afterwards. Its an easy and cheap fix if it is the problem.

 

 

I watched a you tube video on the resistor. Its easy to get at from what I have seen. Is there a good way to test if its bad? Or will it look physically shot? I dont want to go investing money and it end up being something else. 

[vetali]

1 minute ago, Donut417 said:

I watched a you tube video on the resistor. Its easy to get at from what I have seen. Is there a good way to test if its bad? Or will it look physically shot? I dont want to go investing money and it end up being something else. 

Your symptoms are strange and its hard to really pinpoint over the internet. Plus I don't have access to a wiring diagram. Common failure symptoms of a resistor are either it only works on high/one speed or it doesn't work at all (thermal fuse popped, or open circuit in the resistor). However those are a common failure on cars. I doubt its a switch, and I doubt its a blower motor issue. Could be a strange power/ground supply issue but thats a rare case. Another variable is if Ford decided to run it through a GEM module (basically a computer) to monitor it. Highly unlikely because its still an old resistor style controller. Computer controlled "resistors" are PWM and have an actual heat sink on them. 

 

If you really want to try the part and are concerned about it not fixing the issue, I suggest getting the part from Amazon. That way if it doesn't fix your problem you can return it. Lots of parts stores wont let you return anything thats been opened.