Does your Jeep Wrangler’s cabin get too hot or cold despite using the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system? While several reasons account for this issue, a malfunctioning blower motor could be to blame.
A functional blower motor provides the required airflow for your Jeep Wrangler’s HVAC system. It might blow hot or cold air through the vents to keep the cabin comfortable. Unfortunately, the Jeep Wrangler blower motor might fail and compromise your driving experience.
So, why is your Jeep Wrangler blower motor not working, and how can you address the root cause? Herein, I detail why the blower motor is not working and effective fixes.
Answer: Reasons for Jeep Wrangler Blower Motor Failure
The blower motor in your car works in tandem with a fuse, connectors, wires, and a resistor to blow the required air.
But over time, these parts can fail and cause the blower motor to malfunction. Besides, a defective blower motor might prevent air from getting pushed through the vents.
Let’s now discuss why your Jeep Wrangler blower motor won’t work and what to do.
Blown Fuse
Every electrical component and wiring in your Jeep Wrangler has some connection with a fuse. And this is true with the blower motor. The fuse protects the blower motor and connections against electrical shorts and overcurrent.
In the case of an overcurrent or short-circuit, the fuse blows out to cut electrical current to the motor. This process prevents the motor and connections from getting damaged. The blower motor won’t work because no current will flow towards it.
Besides blowing out, a blower motor fuse can fail due to age or corrosion. When examining this part, check if it fails due to corrosion or age.
The first thing you must do is locate the problematic fuse in the box. The fuse box is under the hood, just next to the battery. You’ll find a black box with several fuses for different electrical components. Use the manual when locating the blower motor fuse to make your work easier.
When you find the fuse, examine it to see if it looks blown. You can also pull it out with a fuse puller and use a flashlight to check the metal strip. A broken metal strip indicates you have a blown fuse. Find a compatible fuse in the market to replace the bad one.
However, if the fuse fails due to dirt or corrosion, clean it with an electrical contact cleaner and an old toothbrush.
Faulty Resistor
A faulty resistor might result in the Jeep Wrangler blower motor not working. The function of the resistor is to control the blower motor’s speed. If you increase or reduce the fan speed, the resistor regulates electric current flow to ensure the blower provides the required air.
Over time, the resistor can succumb to moisture, corrosion, or age and fail to work. It might develop cracks or break down due to exposure to high temperatures resulting from fluctuating electrical currents.
You can inspect the resistor visually or use your multimeter to check for continuity or resistance. Then use the manual to compare the readings.
If the resistor malfunctions, your Jeep Wrangler blower motor might operate at a single-speed setting or fail altogether.
The only way to fix a faulty blower motor resistor is by replacing it. You can find it near the blower motor under the dashboard (passenger’s side). When replacing the resistor, disconnect the connectors and uninstall it. Then install a new resistor and connect the connectors.
If you find this process daunting, drive your Jeep Wrangler to a repair shop or the dealership.
Malfunctioned Relay
The relay serves as an electromagnetic switch that turns on or off the electric circuit (power supply) to the blower motor. It relies on input from your vehicle’s climate control system.
The blower motor relay works under high current loads. With time, this component can overheat and melt, causing it to malfunction. A bad relay can hinder power from flowing to the blower motor. As a result, your Jeep Wrangler blower motor won’t work.
If a malfunctioned relay is the cause, you’ll need to locate it in your car. Its location can vary from one Jeep Wrangler model to another, so always use the owner’s manual to find it.
Examine the relay visually to see if it looks melted. Alternatively, remove it and use similar relays in the fuse box to see if they work. Before tinkering with the relays, ensure you’ve disconnected your Wrangler’s battery.
Look for a compatible replacement relay if your vehicle has a bad blower motor relay. Then disconnect the malfunctioned relay and install the new one.
Defective Connectors or Wiring
As stated earlier, the blower motor, resistor, fuse, and relay work together as a single unit. These parts have connectors and wires that connect them. The blower motor might act up if there’s any damaged or loose wire and connector.
Defective wiring and connectors disrupt current flow, resulting in a Jeep Wrangler blower motor not working.
Wires can get broken or frayed due to friction, high temperatures, or rodents chewing on the coatings. On the other hand, connections can become loose or damaged due to bumpy rides or corrosion. So, if the wires and connectors are to blame, inspect them to determine the cause.
Start with the connectors to see if they’re loose. If they look corroded, clean them with your contact cleaner. Reconnect them and ensure they’re secure.
Then, follow the wiring to see if they look melted, broken, or frayed. Replace the melted wires or reconnect broken ones. You can buy electrical tape and use it to cover the naked parts of the frayed wires.
Faulty Blower Motor
If your Jeep Wrangler blower motor fails after fixing all the above, the problem might be the motor itself. A bad blower motor won’t allow air to flow through the vents to heat up or cool the cabin. Sometimes, the airflow might be inconsistent if the motor is defective.
Internal components in the blower motor can wear out and cause the motor to fail. Thankfully, you can tell that your Jeep Wrangler blower motor is faulty when:
- When the HVAC system is operating, you hear unusual whirring noise behind the dash.
- There’s inconsistent or weak airflow through the vents.
- Smoke blows out of the AC vents.
- A burning plastic odor while the fan speed is high.
If you suspect the blower motor is defective, use your multimeter to check its output voltage. A functional motor should have an output of around 12V. If the multimeter reading is different, you have a bad motor.
Unfortunately, replacing the blower motor is labor-intensive and costly. If you’re an unskilled DIYer, allow a dealer or an experienced mechanic to replace it.
Wrap Up
Hopefully, I’ve addressed the causes of the Jeep Wrangler blower motor not working. The blower motor problem usually stems from a defective fuse, resistor, relay, or connection. If these parts are okay, your blower motor might be the cause.
Diagnose these parts to determine the cause. Then fix the underlying problem to ensure the blower motor functions as expected. Alternatively, take your Jeep Wrangler to a repair shop or dealer to troubleshoot this issue.