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Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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Socalkia
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May 21, 2019, 2:02 PM
Post #1 of 20
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Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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Hi there, having troubles with the blower motor in my 2001 Kia Spectra (~100k miles). I've searched through the forum but still haven't been able to solve the specific problem. Some time ago the blower began to only work intermittently. For the last few weeks it hasn't worked at all. None of the speed setting work and so, from low to high settings, there is no flow at all.
I've checked the relay and fuse to verify they are in working order. I have pulled out the motor and fed it 12V directly. The motor spins just fine so I don't suspect a faulty blower motor. I've replaced the blower motor resistor and that hasn't solved it either.
While testing the power being SUPPLIED to the blower, I noticed that for all fan speeds I get about 8 volts. It seems to me that:
1. 8 volts should be enough to get the fan spinning at least a little.
2. No change in voltage between settings suggests an issue with voltage/fan control?
I dont see why this should be the case with a new resistor, unless it is also common for the actual control knob on the dash to malfunction.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 21, 2019, 3:21 PM
Post #2 of 20
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Re: Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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You should have 12-14 volts
In the engine compartment fuse box check the 30A Blower fuse. Use a test light to test for power at both ends of that.
If the fuse is good and has power, then you have to look at the relay and the contacts to it. That relay is in the same fuse box.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Socalkia
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May 21, 2019, 6:25 PM
Post #3 of 20
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Re: Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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The fuse checks out for continuity, but things do look odd when checking the power TO that fuse. With a multimeter I wasn't able to detect any voltage to the fuse. Just for comparison, I was able to pick up ~12V from where other fuses plug in.
Does this indicate a circuit issue between battery and fuse box?
Thanks so much for the input.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 21, 2019, 6:33 PM
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Re: Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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The power for the entire fuse box comes directly from the battery so if some of the fuses have power, that feed must be good and the problem may be in the fuse box itself. Look under it for any melted plastic or overheated connections.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Socalkia
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May 21, 2019, 11:03 PM
Post #5 of 20
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Re: Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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Interesting, I'll get back out there tomorrow morning and take a look at it! From what I understand, it isn't likely I'll be able to just wiggle a connection under the fuse box to get it to work right.
I've searched the web a little bit and a replacement fuse box appears to be difficult to find for this year (plenty on Ebay for '05, '06, '07, but not for '01).
If hope for a "legit" fix becomes lost as a result, would it be possible/advisable to draw power from another fuse location in the fuse box that does have power?
I hear some car stereo guys do something similar for powering amplifiers and such.
My neck of the woods is starting to heat up this time of year so I'm willing to get creative in order to have a functioning fan system...
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Socalkia
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May 21, 2019, 11:37 PM
Post #6 of 20
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Re: Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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Further exploring that train of thought, is there any downside to bypassing the blower motor relay switch? I'm sure it serves a reasonable function there in the fuse box, but I can't see how I would incorporate it into the "pulling power from a different plug" method.
Please let me know if I'm totally on the wrong track here.
I can't even tell you how much I appreciate all of the advice so far!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 22, 2019, 12:31 AM
Post #7 of 20
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Re: Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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Very late or early where I am just jumping in on this: Look for the real flaw and fix or replace what's bad is going to be best. Why it burned is a concern apparently did as HT said all power to the fuse box. You found proper battery voltage there or close enough so sure seems that's it. LOOK AT IT, see the problem if possible.
Don't compare this to the powering of an amp for a sound system a blower fan is still part of the car's system. Fan knows it's being asked for or when to be available by key, they request for it at all and more. By-passing it would be a lot of thought so it shut down when it should too still leaves the problem area may "infect" something near it.
Hard to find the box? Keep looking but think you should look at yours see how it has failed? You may be able to fix wire and connection right in it.
I'd rather see that or a good used one than re-routing power to one item that also needs to know to shut OFF,
T
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Hammer Time
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May 22, 2019, 3:55 AM
Post #8 of 20
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Re: Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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Yes, there are downsides. These circuits are designed this way for a reason. Forget trying to rig this as you will just create more problems.
You haven't even positively identified the problem yet. That is your first job. Replacing fuse boxes can be tricky as most are not modular. They are individually wired into the system and wires have to be removed one at a time. It will be best to repair any individual wires or wire terminal that may be damaged. The box itself is likely OK. Just some burnt terminals that need to be repaired.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Socalkia
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May 22, 2019, 12:29 PM
Post #9 of 20
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Re: Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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Thanks so much for your input guys! I'm seeing the light now on that scheme to steal power from another fuse. It seemed like a good idea for a moment, but y'all have brought up some very good points on why that isn't the route I should take.
Next step is to try and get inside the fuse box to try and locate the root of my electrical problem. Repairing individual wires that show obvious damage sounds straightforward enough, but repairing a damaged terminal might be trickier. Perhaps I'll do some research on that task specifically.
Many thanks for the guidance!
(This post was edited by Socalkia on May 22, 2019, 10:58 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 22, 2019, 12:35 PM
Post #10 of 20
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Re: Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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The fuse box if just a plastic housing. The end of the wires are the sockets and they snap into the bottom of the fuse box. They are held in by a small tab that is released from the outside using a special release tool.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Socalkia
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May 22, 2019, 4:33 PM
Post #11 of 20
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Re: Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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After a few hours of prying and poking im still having a hard time getting this fuse box open to see inside. Will keep at it.
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Socalkia
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May 22, 2019, 10:56 PM
Post #12 of 20
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Re: Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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Fuse box is successfully pulled apart, and there appears to be a burned up fuse terminal (the terminal that supplies the blower fuse, who would have thunk it).
The next step is to replace that, but actually prying the old fuse terminal out of the brick has proven tricky. Once the sun comes up I'll be back at it. Is there a special technique/tool to accomplish this or should a narrow screwdriver and enough force get it done just the same?
(This post was edited by Socalkia on May 22, 2019, 10:59 PM)
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Hammer Time
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May 23, 2019, 3:48 AM
Post #13 of 20
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Re: Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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No special tools. Just be careful not to break anything. Now to remove the wire from behind there is a tool to release the lock clip.
Here is a video of how to use the tools. It's a different plugs but the idea is the same.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znP_uZCak7M
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Socalkia
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May 26, 2019, 7:56 AM
Post #14 of 20
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Re: Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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Thanks I've picked up a set of picks that worked really well for the job. Jumping back into it now after having a hectic spell at work.
Ive tested the hot wire underneath the box feeding the blower fuse. That hot wire is anything but hot. The terminal was burned up so perhaps that wire shorted out somewhere between the fuse and wherever it pulls power from the fuse box main power. I've taken some pictures of the wiring diagram I have (I'll do my best to attach them bellow) and there doesn't seem to be much information on that particular connection.
It also appears on here that the blower motor is fed by two separate red/wht wires? One coming through the fan speed control knob and the other coming directly from the blower relay?
It is probably obvious by now that this is neither my profession or my area of expertise... Lol
As Always, any advice is greatly appreciated!
(This post was edited by Socalkia on May 26, 2019, 7:59 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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May 26, 2019, 8:12 AM
Post #15 of 20
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Re: Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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No, that's not how it works. The blower receives a constant 12v and the speeds are regulated by the resister controlling the path to ground, passing through various size resisters to control speed.
The power supply for the relay is powered from the ignition switch but that power source is shared by things like the headlights, windows and wipers so if those things work, the power supply is arriving at the fuse box and any issues to the blower relay are within the fuse box itself.
Here is the AC wiring diagram
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Socalkia
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May 26, 2019, 8:23 AM
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Re: Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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Socalkia
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May 26, 2019, 8:26 AM
Post #17 of 20
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Re: Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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Wow thanks for that info! Much more detailed that I've been working with
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Hammer Time
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May 26, 2019, 8:30 AM
Post #18 of 20
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Re: Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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As you can see in the diagram, the relay receives 2 different power supplies. The supply power for the blower comes in on that 30A fuse directly from the battery. The power supply that turns the relay on comes from the ignition switch.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Socalkia
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Jun 1, 2019, 10:57 AM
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Re: Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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Not that I've truly dug into the fuse box and checked it all out, some things are still unclear to me.
For starters, I briefly fed 12V through the wire that connects the 30A fuse and the relay, with the key on (so that the relay was engaged), and got the blower motor to spin. More success than I've had in a long time.
Unfortunately replacing the fuse terminals has not been a great success. Locating terminals that fit and integrate into the pin-system connecting the lower and upper portions of the fuse box has been difficult. After a handful of attempts with different terminal styles, I also suspect the the terminal slots are damaged from my poking and prodding/whatever burned up the terminal in the first place.
Another question (which will likely further reveal my rookie-nes):
One end of that 30A fuse goes to the red/white wire feeding power through the relay. The other end is a super thin gauge black wire that disappears into the wiring harness. Is that a ground wire? If so, where does the power to the fuse come from?
Apologies if these are silly questions, but researching them online leads to 1000 articles titled "Do I Have A Blown Fuse?"...
Thanks so much y'all, I can be a difficult student at times.
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Hammer Time
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Jun 1, 2019, 11:09 AM
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Re: Kia Blower Motor Issues (2001)
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There will never be a ground wire connected to a fuse.
This is a pretty simple circuit. One wire from the battery supplies the power to all the fuses so as I said earlier, the problem is in that fuse box.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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