Intermittent heat, blower not working?

Tiny
ZEBRASOT
  • MEMBER
  • 2016 FORD FIESTA
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • 96,000 MILES
The heater in the car is malfunctioning. Does not blow hot or cold air, but only sometimes. When it malfunctions, it does not work on any setting. Car is not overheating. No spikes or drops in engine temperatures. Car is not low on antifreeze. Antifreeze level is staying stable. Floorboards are not damp and there is no smell of antifreeze. Can feel warmth from vents when it is not blowing. The cabin air filter is new.
It just doesn't blow anything, until it decides it wants to.
Has happened 5 times in the last week. Three of the five times it happened when I started the car and noticed it was not blowing any air. The heat eventually kicked on by itself after a short drive. One time it happened when I started the car, and the heat was not blowing, but I only had to drive a few blocks home so didn't bother with it. One time it happened when I was driving and thought I smelled something burning so I turned the heat off and when I tried to turn it back on, it did not blow out any air. But the heater ran fine a few hours later.
If I turn on the car and the heat is blowing, it will not turn off on its own. It only seems to happen when I am starting the car. If it runs when I start the car, it will be fine. The crap shoot is whether the blower will run when I start the car.
I will try to replace the blower motor relay and the climate control fuse. I am doubtful that it will fix the problem.
Ran a diagnostic on the blower motor and it seemed to be fine. But of course, the blower was working fine at that time.
I cannot find anything that indicates the Ford Fiestas have a history of heating ailments.
Any ideas would help.
Thursday, February 16th, 2023 AT 4:47 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,522 POSTS
Hello,

This sounds like a classic blower motor going bad, here is the location so you can swap it out which should fix the problem. Please check out the instructions in the images below. To be sure you can test the blower motor for power and ground and if it has both then for sure the motor is bad, here is a guide to help and the blower wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works. The Yel/Blu wire is power and the Gry/Vio is ground.

This guide shows how to do the testing:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/blower-fan-motor-works-on-high-speed-only

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what you find.
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Friday, February 17th, 2023 AT 10:26 AM
Tiny
ZEBRASOT
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
I noticed the following, not sure if this changes the possible diagnosis.
When the car sits for an extended period of time, the blower comes on with no problem. It will stay running the entire time. But. If I stop the car for a short period of time (ex: to get gas) and start the car back up-the blower will not work.
At least I have it narrowed down and can predict when it will/will not work.
Still think it's the blower motor. Engine temperature is relevant, or no?
I just think it's odd that if the engine is cold the blower starts right up. But when it's been running for a while and it's turned off and then back on, no blower.
Changing fuses and relays this week.
Will keep you updated.
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Tuesday, February 21st, 2023 AT 6:19 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,522 POSTS
Yep, that is strange it could be the blower control module, here is the location so you can check it out. I would try tapping on the module to see if it affects the blower operation when the blower is on. Also, we should do a CAN scan to see what comes up, please check out the information below, you can get a CAN scanner (Controller Area Network) from Amazon.

Here is a video to show you how:

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Here is a list of CAN scanners starting at about $25.00 on Amazon:

https://amzn.to/3DBMlc7

Let me know wat you find please.
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Thursday, February 23rd, 2023 AT 11:47 AM

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