I35GEEK

It is getting hot in the south. I noticed a random vent issue. I have the AC running and vent is set at blowing to my face. All is going fine. Then all of a sudden, I don’t feel any air blowing to my face any more and I am getting hot. The AC compressor is working and the I could hear fan blower but I don’t feel air blowing through the vent. I would pull over and press the different vent modes, head/foot, foot only, then high (face level). It will eventually work again and all is fine.

I am guessing something is failing and eventually I would not be able to fiddle with it to get it working again. I certainly do not wait for it to completely fail when it is almost 100 degrees outside.

If anyone has had a similar issue, please chime in.

ajahearn

iTrader: (3)

There are controls for directing the air to different vents. It sounds like the actuators for the top vents may be inadvertently closing. Is there absolutely no air coming from any vent? Did you try cycling the vent control to the floor and back to both?

I35GEEK

There is air coming out of the top vent but it then randomly stops. But when I cycle it through other modes and then back to the top, there is air coming out of the top vent again. At this point, it is just annoying. But at some point it might fail entirely.

I would agree that the top actuary is likely defective. Where is this control and how do I diagnose or replace it?

Prophecy99

iTrader: (1)

i had blower issues this past winter, and it was just the blower motor it self... maybe start there....under $40 10 min fix

I35GEEK

After doing a bit of researching, I realized it may be the motor blower resistor. When I toggle the fan speed, it blows hard on the highest. It randomly shuts off when left at the lowest speed. $16 from Amazon and two minutes installing the resistor. Everything seems ok for me. Even at the lowest setting, it is blowing harder than before. So another sign that it was the resistor going out out whack.

Prophecy99

iTrader: (1)

hell ya dude nice, i remember that being a more common issue too, and the blower motor it self, (i replaced two over the years), my last time around, i tried that first and it didn't fix it, and it was the blower motor itself again.

Reality sucks

iTrader: (3)

Check the Blower Resistors Plug.. The Terminals often times become loose, next time it stops.. Pull over and Wiggle the connector..

I35GEEK

I already swapped out the old resistor. The plug was quite tight when I removed it. I did notice the old resistor had some white corrosion spots on the flat metal part. Not sure if that is a sign of potential failure. But it is the original OEM resistor that came with this 20 year old car. Can’t complain if it did fail. How many car parts last 20 years?

Prophecy99

iTrader: (1)

my original resistor had that chalky corrosion too, and it's still kicking. mine was the motor for the 2nd time.

I35GEEK

When I turn quickly, I could hear a slight rattle coming from the blower motor fan. There is probably a loose part or leaves stuck in the plastic wheel. I bought a blower motor fan and plan to replace it. For $35, I just as well replace another 20 year old part and call it a day.

I35GEEK

I removed my glove box and the motor blower fan. To my surprise, the blower motor was the exact same brand (TYC) and model number as the one that I bought from Amazon. The old one that I removed had a manufacturing date stamp of 2011 while the new one that I bought was from 2019. So they last about 10 years. Strangely, I don’t remember replacing the motor blower in this car. But I must have because I owned this 2003 I35 car since 2006. I am usually quite good in terms of documenting all my repairs but I must have missed this one. LOL

Another cheap repair accomplished - about $50 for both resistor and blower motor. May it last until 2033. Another 10 + years

I35GEEK

Well. The saga of my fan intermittently stop blowing air continues. After I replaced both blower motor and resistor, all seems well for awhile.

Then I start noticing other weird noises. When I make a sharp turn quickly, I could hear water swishing around noise inside my car. A couple of weeks later, the passenger side carpet was flooded with water. It turns out the ac drain was clogged. After poking a wire through the drain tube, a gush of water came out.

I am wondering if the older resistor or fan blower motor were ruined because water was collecting inside the evaporator chamber. Never a dull moment with these cars.

Reality sucks

iTrader: (3)

No...

The OE unit blower motor just simply wares out its brushes over time and fail the resistor typically takes the heat and dies just the same. I always recommend a connector for the resistor.

Do you have good air flow from all In car Vents..?

I35GEEK

yes. Strong air flow in all vents. Everything works right now. Fingers crossed.