Car Question: AC Trouble

#1
Coug

Coug

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#1
I've got an old 2000 Accord and the fan/blower in the dash on the passenger side is going out. It sounds like a bearing maybe. At any rate sometimes it comes on other times it doesn't, it seems to have a mind of it's own. My question is how much is it going to cost to fix this? I don't think I have any issue with the AC unit or the heater itself just the fan.
 
#2
#2
did you check your control knobs and look for loose wires ? check the fuse for it too

it does sound like the motor is crapping out,can you get to it and give it a shot of WD 40 ?

look in a manual for it,you maybe able to change it from the firewall in the engine compartment,it may be fairly simple and then again maybe not Coug ,I know that is a lot of help :)

I know a good mechanic in Kingsport,hmmm that isn't much help either,I guess I'm no help at all then Coug :compute:
 
#3
#3
governmentmule said:
did you check your control knobs and look for loose wires ? check the fuse for it too

it does sound like the motor is crapping out,can you get to it and give it a shot of WD 40 ?

look in a manual for it,you maybe able to change it from the firewall in the engine compartment,it may be fairly simple and then again maybe not Coug ,I know that is a lot of help :)

I know a good mechanic in Kingsport,hmmm that isn't much help either,I guess I'm no help at all then Coug :compute:
Click to expand...

No, but you're cool man. :thumbsup:
 
#4
#4
I know :cool:


but can you get to it ? I'm just hoping that it isn't one of those you have to remove the dash jobs
 
#6
#6
Rocky-Top 10EC said:
Sounds like the resistor on the blower motor is going bad. Quite common. Amazon is good for parts
Click to expand...

This sounds like what is probably going on. Its more common for one of these items to cause the problem you described Coug. A lot of times its a good idea to replace both while you are in there because I have seen in the past people replace one or the other and be right back in there replacing the one the didn't on the previous repair.
 
#7
#7
I had a similar issue on a 2000 Civic. I bought a used blower motor from eBay for about 30 dollars and then had a local mechanic replace the old one for a little over 100.
 
#8
#8
Coug, it sounds like a fairly simple procedure for the DIY'r.
I would recommend you replace the resistor, also.

Tools required:
8mm socket/ratchet with extension


Step 1: Locate the blower motor beneath the glove compartment on the passenger's side of the vehicle.

Step 2: Disconnect the wiring harness from the blower motor.

Step 3: Disconnect the wiring harness that comes across the blower motor (to create a bit more room).

Step 4: Loosen and remove the three 8mm retaining bolts and remove the blower motor from the vehicle.

Step 5: Insert the new blower motor, and secure it by tightening the three 8mm retaining bolts.

NOTE: Be sure that you do not pinch any of the wiring when inserting the blower motor!

Step 6: Reconnect both wiring harnesses to ensure that the blower motor is receiving power from the vehicle's electrical system. - See more at: 1998-2002 Honda Accord AC Heater Blower Motor Replacement
 
#9
#9
I'll 3rd the resistor thing and also say head to the Honda Accord forums - someone has had this problem and I can pretty much guarantee their are detailed instructions on how to fix it.

Had a 2003 BMW and the fan would either come on full by itself or not work at all - replaced the resistor (I think that's what it was - basically a heat sink based switch) and it worked like a charm. 80 bucks and I bet the one for Honda's are cheaper.
 
#10
#10
As far as blower motors/resistors go, working on one in an Accord isn't all that bad. It isn't exactly comfortable, but I've seen some that it appeared like they had built the car around the blower.

Be careful with the wires and you shouldn't have much trouble.
 
#11
#11
OldandStillaVol said:
I had a similar issue on a 2000 Civic. I bought a used blower motor from eBay for about 30 dollars and then had a local mechanic replace the old one for a little over 100.
Click to expand...

I went to Firestone a month ago and they gave me a new blower motor and resistor for around $400...
 
#13
#13
FLVOL_79 said:
I'd just buy a new car..
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Won't speak for OP but yeah, I'm a cheapskate when it comes to this car. It has run great since '00. When the AC went out last year - well, you're from FL too so you know that means. But I do plan to get a new car next year - thinking of another Civic or Mazda 3.
 
#14
#14
Thanks for all the replies guys. I found two very helpful videos online to fix both parts if necessary. It doesn't look like either replacement is hard.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tftz_dD9BEQ[/youtube]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRs1JJ42Eg0[/youtube]
 
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#15
#15
Seems like you guys are right it'd be cheaper to replace the resistor first and see if that fixes it, then move to the blower.
 
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#16
#16
Last year, I changed the resistor in a 2001 Accord. Going slow, it took 30-45 minutes. Piece of cake!
 
#17
#17
The resistor changes the speed of the motor, iirc. Its failure would result in operating wide open. I had a Jeep GC that had the exact problem that turned out to be the power module for the blower (burnt connector) under the dash by the blower motor. It is basically a solid state relay the controls the heavier currents drawn by the blower. Those things pull some amps at only 12 VDC.
 
#18
#18
Just a quick update: I got into the car and turned the air on to find out the blower wasn't working. I proceeded to try all speeds one by one, and none of them worked. I reached under the dash on the passenger side and smacked the fan and it came on. So safe to say it's the fan and not change the resistor as well?
 
#19
#19
Coug said:
Just a quick update: I got into the car and turned the air on to find out the blower wasn't working. I proceeded to try all speeds one by one, and none of them worked. I reached under the dash on the passenger side and smacked the fan and it came on. So safe to say it's the fan and not change the resistor as well?
Click to expand...

I am sure that you can find parts for that car pretty reasonable. I would go ahead and change both while you are in there and eliminate any doubt. But it does sound like the fan might be the problem if you were able to smack it and it started working again.
 
#20
#20
Coug said:
Just a quick update: I got into the car and turned the air on to find out the blower wasn't working. I proceeded to try all speeds one by one, and none of them worked. I reached under the dash on the passenger side and smacked the fan and it came on. So safe to say it's the fan and not change the resistor as well?
Click to expand...

Yes, the poster above is correct. When the resistor failed, as I recall, it blew on wide open all the time.

Sounds like you have a fan problem
 
#21
#21
Or a connection/ wiring problem and the smacking makes a temporary connection. Get under there and root around, sounds like you are close.
 
#22
#22
Coug said:
Just a quick update: I got into the car and turned the air on to find out the blower wasn't working. I proceeded to try all speeds one by one, and none of them worked. I reached under the dash on the passenger side and smacked the fan and it came on. So safe to say it's the fan and not change the resistor as well?
Click to expand...
Usually, when you can smack a motor and get it working, the brushes are bad.
 
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