3 Symptoms of a Faulty Blower Motor

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3 Symptoms of a Faulty Blower Motor

3 Symptoms of a Faulty Blower Motor

3 February 2022
 Categories:
, Blog


A furnace blower motor blows warm air into your indoor space through the vents. If the blower motor malfunctions, your furnace will not heat your home effectively. 

Take a closer look at symptoms that indicate when you have a bad blower motor. 

Strange Sounds

Although a professional can fix some strange sounds, other noises indicate serious problems that warrant a new motor. For instance, banging or clanking sounds are a sign of loose components in your motor. Loud bangs are particularly serious and could mean that your motor has a broken part. You may have to replace the blower motor itself.  

On the other hand, squealing and screeching noises often indicate a damaged belt in belt drive furnaces or bearing issues in direct drive furnaces. Your furnace technician can also lubricate the motor's bearings to eliminate some strange noises. But a replacement should be in your cards if a broken belt is to blame for the noise.

You should never use a furnace that makes these unusual sounds. So, switch off your furnace when you detect the noises and call in a professional to determine the root cause. 

Poor Airflow Through the Vents

Weak airflow is an obvious sign that your motor struggles to push sufficient air through the vents into your home. However, it doesn't always warrant a motor replacement. If a clogged motor is to blame, you should clean the fan to get rid of the dirt. Also, change the clogged air filter so that conditioned air can flow unimpeded.

A faulty capacitor, leaky or dirty air ducts, an old blower motor, and excessive moisture in your blower motor also restrict proper airflow through the vents. You should schedule a professional inspection of your unit to stay on top of these issues. Also, make plans to replace the old blower motor to improve your furnace's efficiency.

Overheating and Weird Smells

Dirt or grime buildup around your furnace's blower motor causes it to overheat. Also, an old blower motor that strains to heat your home will cause overheating issues. A clear sign of an overheating blower motor is a burning smell due to burnt electrical wiring. 

Excess heat can cause your blower to stop working in the middle of a heating cycle. Your furnace's fail-safe mechanism will likely cause it to shut down to avert electrical damage. If you detect weird smells and overheating issues, switch off your unit and contact a technician. 

A faulty blower motor can trip your circuit breakers or even cause electrical fires. So, reach out to a furnace repair specialist to avoid total unit failure. Don't forget to keep up with the maintenance needs of your furnace to catch issues early.

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