Blower motor problem

This is the second time in a month that my ventilation blower motor has stopped working. The first time it stopped on me, later on that day it started working again. Was fine yesterday, go to get some AC running today, and nothing works. Fan would not run in any mode. No AC, defrost, or heat. Compressor itself was coming on. Also, last week, I noticed that I have a good sized spot of an oil like substance on my passenger side weathertech floor mat. I had this substance show up in the same spot probably a year ago, but never had any indication of a fan problem. Has anyone else experienced these issues? Is my blower failing, and if so, how much of a bitch are these motors to get to and swap out? I have an 08 PreRunner DC with only a powertrain warranty left on it, so the repair will be all on me.

 

Have you switched all the way off and back to High? It could be your fan speed selector resistor. It's a common(ish) problem.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/70275-fan-speed-switch-not-working-7.html

 

I have no fan in any speed selection. Does this sound like the motor most likely?

 

The blower motor is easy to replace, 3 screws and 1 electrical plug connection. The hardest part is getting the retention thing on the wire lose from the housing. Takes about 10, maybe 15 minutes to change. I replaced one on my 07 Prerunner. One way to check if it's your blower motor is to turn your ac on, find the bottom on the blower housing under the passenger side dash, give it a good tap with your hand. If it comes on, then the bearings have probably gone out. If it is your blower, you can find them online for $80...I think I paid around $110 at the dealer for mine.

Good luck!

 

Before you replace the motor check a couple cheaper things first.
1.) Check the fuse (<$1)
2.) Resistor completely blown ($25)
3.) Blower motor dead ($110)

This thread also talks about this exact problem you are having.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/70275-fan-speed-switch-not-working-7.html

 

OK, this morning went for a drive, and no fan. On the way home, I started just taking the switch from off to HI several times, then all at once it started working. Obviously it is NOT a dead motor or fuse. What could be causing this intermittent problem?

 

Resistor.

 

Can anyone tell me where this resistor is located? Easy to get to and change out?

 

This is actually stickied in the 2nd gen section. Resistor is easy to replace.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/70275-fan-speed-switch-not-working.html

 

Ok, I replaced the resistor, the fan worked fine this morning. Got in the truck and drove off with it working, decided to kill the AC and go with windows down for the ride home. Got to the house and for shits and giggles, I went to put the AC back on and............no blower! WTF is going on with this thing?

 

Has anyone replaced the resistor, and still had the problem with the blower motor not working at times? Got me stumped. Motor runs (at times), fuse is obviously good, and changing out the resistor made no difference.

 

Hmm. Could be the jack that the resistor plugs in to has a poor quality connection. Check for corrosion on the pins and possibly recessed pins. Also be sure to use dielectric grease. Another place to check maybe the switch on the dash. You can clean up the connections with emery cloth then grease them with dielectric grease.

I work all day troubleshooting broken electronics so I feel your pain. Intermittent problems are the worst thing to try and find. Often we end up replacing entire circuits just to save time. Good luck.

 

Check the wiring leading to the resistor jack as far back as you can. Look for bends, kinks, flattening, charring, chaffing and anything else abnormal. You may need to splice in some new wires.

 

When was the last time you changed your cabin air filter? If that thing is crudded up, not enough air will flow past the resistor to cool it. You will quickly burn up components that way.

 

Bang on the motor with your hand. Does it start working? Just replaced one the othe day because it was intermittently working.

 

Cabin air filter has been changed out recently. Maybe it's the damn motor intermittently not working / working.

 

Did this today, while it wasn't working......And, what do you know? It came on! POS motor! I guess I am going to track down a motor. Should I try to find an aftermarket motor, or stick to OEM?

 

Motor squeek is getting worse by the day. Any suggestions as to which brand to replace the motor with, ie Delphi or VDO?