Heater blower motor slow to start

Discussion in 'Freightliner Forum' started by MercerDriver, Jan 14, 2016.

  1. MercerDriver

    MercerDriver Light Load Member

    69
    7
    Sep 3, 2010
    Atlanta, GA
    0
    2003 Century. Front blower motor is slow to start.

    Thought the old one was on the way out, so purchased a new one. Seems like it struggles to get going too once I turn it on. Checked positive and negative connections at plug. Getting 12.7 volts to them. Checked signal wire. 0 volts at OFF, 5.5 volts at FULL ON.

    Why does it have problem getting going ? Any insight greatly appreciated.

    Sorry, I posted this in the General forum also.
     
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  3. GiantBeard

    GiantBeard Medium Load Member

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    343
    Oct 16, 2015
    Petaluma/Indio, CA
    0
    Long shot: have you checked your cab air filter? If its all clogged up, like mine was, it can slow stuff down, burn it out early, etc.

    Captain hindsight usually only helps one person at a time, but maybe its worth checking?
     
  4. MercerDriver

    MercerDriver Light Load Member

    69
    7
    Sep 3, 2010
    Atlanta, GA
    0

    Yeah, it was pretty nasty. Like the carpet underlayment stuff was all over it. I'm pretty sure that hurt the motor. But as I stated in original post, it seems like the new motor I purchased is doing the same thing. I'll double check tomorrow and report back. Are there any capacitors in the system that "jump start" the blower motor ? Sort of like the HVAC home systems have a capacitor that jumps the fan ?
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2016
  5. xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

    5,198
    7,150
    Aug 21, 2011
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    I don't know about your motor. Both of mine in this truck do have a resistor or something like it. It has Four wires hooked to it than goes to the motor. Not sure where the wires dome from. Same on my little truck and my blazer.
    If you trace the wires from the motor back you will find the gizmo I'm talking about.
    Good luck.
     
  6. MercerDriver

    MercerDriver Light Load Member

    69
    7
    Sep 3, 2010
    Atlanta, GA
    0

    You're probably talking about the blower resistor that tells the ECU how much air the blower motor is pushing. Usually when these fail, the blower only blows on HIGH speed. At least that's how I understand it.
     
  7. 062

    062 Road Train Member

    6,338
    33,982
    Oct 20, 2013
    0
    Turn fan on high for a few minutes,then feel the wiring,make sure it's not getting hot.
    Check the blend door,make sure it's not stuck part way.
    Check the ducting,make sure nothing is clogging it or holes etc.
     
  8. Freightliner_Man

    Freightliner_Man Bobtail Member

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    11
    Aug 18, 2015
    0
    What exactly do you mean by "the blower is slow to start"?? That is a blend door system. The blower motor has 4 wires, 2 big ones and 2 small wires. The big ones are the power and the ground. The 2 small ones are a blower signal (intended speed) and a feedback (actual speed). The FCU (front control unit) sends a signal to the blower motor based on the position you have the blower speed dial in and then the feedback wire sends a signal back to the FCU. Basically telling the FCU if the desired RPM of the motor was achieved. A slight lag time is normal especially say at key on, or if it was off, then you turn it on. The system has to have a little time to make sure everything happened as it was designed. Do you have any codes on the dash from 146? Give a bit more info and I may be able to help.
     
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