2001 Blower Motor Resistor keeps blowing

[markdunn99]

Hi folks. Replaced my blower motor because it was noisy.....that fixed the noise problem; however since that time my blower motor resistor keeps blowing. It will work fine for a few days, maybe a week....then will only work on high setting....take out the resistor and it's blown. I just solder it back together because that's easy enough to do....I've also replaced it with a new one, but it has blown now 3 times since the new motor. Gotta be that new motor is no good huh? Guess I'll take it back to Autozone and get a new one plus another new resistor and put them in together.

[Yuko]

Blower motor might be pulling too much amps for the resistor. I have replaced the resistor on my 01' with one from Autozone and haven't failed on me.

[Pvt-Public]

I agree, it sounds like the blower motor is drawing too much current.

[Dave's]

There is a lot of current. If you use silver solder maybe but regular solder will most likely melt. Also, make sure you have good air flow. On newer vehicles I believe a common problem is the cabin air filter gets so clogged the resistor pack gets too hot and burns out. Replacing it without replacing the filter and guess what happens. But I don't think you have a filter and if you had a new resistor when you replaced the motor then you certainly have a problem somewhere. Hope replacing the motor and resistor solves it for you.

[markdunn99]

Thanks all. Yeah it's gotta be the motor is just drawing too much current. It didn't seem to be turning as smoothly as I thought it should before I put it in. But no I did not replace the resistor initially along with the blower motor replacement. I only replaced the blower motor cuz the old one was noisy. Never had a problem with the resistor blowing until I put this new blower motor in. Anyway.....I'll take them both out and replace and should be fine. Thanks

Originally Posted by Dave's

There is a lot of current. If you use silver solder maybe but regular solder will most likely melt. Also, make sure you have good air flow. On newer vehicles I believe a common problem is the cabin air filter gets so clogged the resistor pack gets too hot and burns out. Replacing it without replacing the filter and guess what happens. But I don't think you have a filter and if you had a new resistor when you replaced the motor then you certainly have a problem somewhere. Hope replacing the motor and resistor solves it for you.

[markdunn99]

Just an update...put a new blower motor and resistor in together (both under warranty from Autozone) and no problems since. The previous motor must have been loading it down.

Originally Posted by markdunn99

Thanks all. Yeah it's gotta be the motor is just drawing too much current. It didn't seem to be turning as smoothly as I thought it should before I put it in. But no I did not replace the resistor initially along with the blower motor replacement. I only replaced the blower motor cuz the old one was noisy. Never had a problem with the resistor blowing until I put this new blower motor in. Anyway.....I'll take them both out and replace and should be fine. Thanks

[BMR]

Thanks for posting up the resolution. Good to know what the fix was.

[rj2046]

Hi, -- new here, 1998 LE 2.2 L manual, 2nd owner, since 75 mi. 1999

I just started hearing the blower motor noise like a dry bearing last week. Did it start for you, then progressively get louder? If so, about how much time before you changed it, and was it hard to get the dashboard out to get at it? Thanks

[markdunn99]

Hi.....it's not an uncommon problem I think with the Japanese cars...I've had to replace the blower motor on corolla's as well. Although in this case on mine the problem was a little mouse was caught up in the cage portion on one side (dead of course)...so I assume he caused a sideload to the shaft of the motor, which caused the bearings to wear and get noisy. Yes it does typically get progressively louder. I changed it out probably within a few weeks of when I first started hearing it. No sense waiting....it's not going to get better by itself! :-) I guess it depends on how noisy it is and how much it bothers you. Very easy to replace....no need to remove the dashboard....just remove the glove compartment and the panel piece that connects to it underneath - five screws I believe....then you have access to the blower motor.....3 screws remove it....pop it out and put the new one in. Couldn't be easier... Good luck

Originally Posted by rj2046

Hi, -- new here, 1998 LE 2.2 L manual, 2nd owner, since 75 mi. 1999

I just started hearing the blower motor noise like a dry bearing last week. Did it start for you, then progressively get louder? If so, about how much time before you changed it, and was it hard to get the dashboard out to get at it? Thanks

[rj2046]

Thanks! I'll change out the resistor while i'm at it.

[markdunn99]

I don't think it's necessary to change out the resistor as well unless you've had problems with it previously. But again it is a relatively cheap part (around 20 bucks) and while you're under there already couldn't hurt to throw one in proactively I suppose..... Keep the old one for a spare.

Originally Posted by rj2046

Thanks! I'll change out the resistor while i'm at it.

[Pauloil]

No need to change good resistor. if you waNt, could use DVM to see if thermal fuse is good