Blower randomly not turning on 2011 3.0 4x4

[madelodactyl]

I don’t have as much knowledge as some folks on here, so you’ll have to excuse me if this question has an obvious answer. For the last months, my blower motor randomly has not been working at any speed. The heat and AC are working, just not the blower. It usually starts working again if I turn the car off and let it sit for a while. Am I correct in thinking this means the motor itself is failing? I know other issues could be the resistor, relay, or fuse, but I think those being the issue would present differently. Thanks!

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

The blower motor has a relay and fuse in the engine fuse box, the relay is controlled by the Main selector switch not the fan speed switch
So when you have the selector in any position except OFF the Blower relay should click Closed, sending 12v to blower

The Speed switch is the GROUND for the blower, high speed is a direct ground, by passing the resistor block
Lower speeds run thru 1, 2, or 3 resistors in the block

I wouldn't think its a fuse issue because it wouldn't start working again, BUT...........pull out that fuse and check its tabs for corrosion, that can cause intermittent operation

Same for the relay, pull it out and have a look

I would have someone turn the selector from off to on while you have your finger on the Blower Relay, to make sure it is "clicking", closing every time, key needs to be on but engine can be off

You can get your owners manual here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/general-technical-electrical-18/ford-ranger-owner-manuals-1996-2011-models-3747/

It has the engine fuse box lay out

 

[madelodactyl]

Welcome to TRS

The blower motor has a relay and fuse in the engine fuse box, the relay is controlled by the Main selector switch not the fan speed switch
So when you have the selector in any position except OFF the Blower relay should click Closed, sending 12v to blower

The Speed switch is the GROUND for the blower, high speed is a direct ground, by passing the resistor block
Lower speeds run thru 1, 2, or 3 resistors in the block

I wouldn't think its a fuse issue because it wouldn't start working again, BUT...........pull out that fuse and check its tabs for corrosion, that can cause intermittent operation

Same for the relay, pull it out and have a look

I would have someone turn the selector from off to on while you have your finger on the Blower Relay, to make sure it is "clicking", closing every time, key needs to be on but engine can be off

You can get your owners manual here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/general-technical-electrical-18/ford-ranger-owner-manuals-1996-2011-models-3747/

It has the engine fuse box lay out

Thank you! This detailed advice is really helpful! I’ll check out the fuse and relay and see what I find. Hopefully I can find the answer there rather than the blower motor.

 

[RonD]

If you have a volt meter you can use sewing pins/needles to pierce the 2 blower wires and hook meter up to the 2 pins, should see 12v
If you show 12v and ground but motor is not turning then yes, motor has failed, that would be the last test before replacing motor

But if you do not see 12v then its something else, test each pin to battery positive and negative to see which one is missing, the 12v or the Ground

 

[madelodactyl]

After pulling both the fuse and the relay (both look fine), I’ve been advised that the resistor is also likely the problems. Especially because the two middle speeds (there are 4 speeds) have fused together into one speed. What’s the easiest way to access the resistor? I’ve seen people go at it all different ways on YouTube. I don’t really want to lift the car, as I don’t have a super level surface to do that on. Thanks!

 

[RonD]

????

Resistor block is easy to access, its in the engine bay on the heater box, 2 screws and its out

Google: 2011 ford ranger resistor block replacement

There are a few videos

 

[sgtsandman]

^^^Agreed^^^
I’ve never seen a fan resistor that required you to get under the truck. The dash maybe but not the truck.

 

[madelodactyl]

Yeah, I looked and it didn’t look super hard to get down there, but then I also found these instructions. Really over complicated the situation! https://www.1aauto.com/how-to-replace-blower-motor-resistor-95-11-ford-ranger/video/10852

 

[ericbphoto]

Yeah, I looked and it didn’t look super hard to get down there, but then I also found these instructions. Really over complicated the situation! https://www.1aauto.com/how-to-replace-blower-motor-resistor-95-11-ford-ranger/video/10852

Yeah. Don’t do it that way unless you are really bored or avoiding your wife.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Yeah. Don’t do it that way unless you are really bored or avoiding your wife.

That was good.

I had the same problem. I guess you know if you don't get down in there, you're without a blower, at least in part. Mine would only work on high. I can't recall it being that tight but certainly not a cake walk. The new resistor changed my life