how do i verify whether a blower motor is bad, or the relay or the resistor on a 1996 Ford Explorer?

Asked by mustrd80t May 15, 2012 at 03:25 PM about the 1996 Ford Explorer 4 Dr XL 4WD SUV

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Air will not blow through the front vents BUT will blow in the back seat console vents.   the blower motor door appears to close when i turn the knob to 'air, defrost ' or any other setting except ac/max and it opens.  When i turn the knob to the off position the door opens.  The biggest problem is why the air is not going through the front vents?   There's only 1 blower motor right?  and it's located in the engine compartment on the passenger side?  if the blower motor wasn't working how could air be making it to the back vents?

9 Answers

6,440

get an electrical tester and test for power at the motor when its switched on. if it has power but doesnt turn, bad motor. sounds more like a door issue though. meaning the doors in the hvac unit not directing properly.

4 people found this helpful.
100

Theres a seperate blower motor for the rear ac. i am having the same issue. replaced both fuses, one inside, one in the distribution box. Its blower motor or relay is what autozone told me.

10 people found this helpful.
30

My 1999 Ford Explorer started toda y cuy off ejem i rap motor it comes on nos traes winnig. Sound it etíopes completely back. Working good should i replace

3 people found this helpful.
50

I’ve tried everything mine won’t turn on at all but I’m not getting power to the motor I’ve checked all the fuses I think and there all good unless i passed a fuse

5 people found this helpful.
30

My 2000 Ford explorer gives me full blast heat and a/c in the back seat with no issue. One day, out of nowhere, the front vents no longer blew any air. Local garage told me I needed a new blower motor. But, if I needed a new blower motor, how does it still blow heat and a/c to the backseat with no problem??? Advanced Auto told me fuse #4 or the resistor was the most likely issue. Who's right here?

3 people found this helpful.
30

Hey did you find a solution. Mine is doing the same exact thing I'm going to go work on it now I'll let you know how it goes

3 people found this helpful.
30

Fixed!!!!!! Check to the blower motor I had power. Well I didn't think so at first but then I found a good ground don't get fooled make sure you get a good ground. Then I dropped the blower motor and the gasket somehow got wrapped up and pulled into the motor so I pulled the gasket out it's ripped but I'll just buy a new one and it works like a champ easy fix cheap fix little effort goes a long way thanks

30

Fixed!!!!!! Checked power at the blower motor, I had power. Well, I didn't think so at first but then I found a good ground. Don't get fooled!!!! Make sure you get a good ground. I then dropped the blower motor, and somehow the gasket/seal got wrapped up in the fins, so I just simply pulled the gasket out. It is ripped, I'll just buy a new one. The blower now works like a champ!!!! Easy fix cheap fix, a little effort goes a long way thanks

If you're not getting air blown out the front vents but it seems like minimal air flow from the dash and the lower (foot) vents, then chances are your vent selector switch isn't functioning correctly and you may have a vacuum leak or disconnecting to it from the vacuum reservoir ball just in front of and above the front passenger wheel in the engine compartment. The selector switch is vacuum operated.

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