Why does your Ford Taurus - Mercury Sable heater blower not work?

Answer 1

Recall and Technical Service Bulletin
The body style that ran from about '99-'03 had a issue with rain water getting into the blower case and ruining the blower resister assembly and the blower motor. There is a modified cowl cover that is supposed correct this condition. One tell tale sign that you have this problem is pull the blower resister assembly out and examine it. If it has corrosion or rust on the terminals, you have this problem. Replace the resister assembly, blower motor, and cowl cover.


There is a detailed posting on this problem in the "Related Links" below
If the blower is completely dead and is not providing any air movement, the cause could be in the resistor block for the fan motor, the fuse, or the fan motor.

Check the fuse first. Refer to the owners manual for the fuse. (see "Related Questions" below)

If you have one or more blower speeds, the problem is the resistor block.

The Ford Taurus blower has a resistor block that controls the various speeds of the blower motor. It is located on the passenger compartment side of the blower housing and can be replaced in five minutes. Unfortunately, I could only find the part at the Ford dealership who ripped me off for $20. You can find the part online for around $10.

If you do not have any speeds, you should verify the fan motor works by pulling it and connecting it to a 12 volt DC power source.

To pull the fan motor, you will have to remove the glove box to gain access to the 3 or 4 screws that hold the fan in place, although I did it without removing the glove box. The motor is attached to a large mounting plate that is at the bottom of the air plenum located behind the glove box. If you look up from the passenger floor you will see the motor hanging down. It is about the size of a soup can and is attached to a larger mounting plate. Once the connector is disconnected and the screws are out, you will have to turn the mounting plate to allow the motor to drop. Pay attention to the position as you pull it down as it needs to go back in the same twisting fashion.

I used a spare auto battery to test the motor, but you could use the one in the car, but just be careful to not short things out. Also, really brace the motor prior to connecting to battery as it has a lot of torque and could twist out of your hand.

If the motor is good and really spins up, then the problem is the resistor block is completely dead. (Replace it the resistor block.)

If the fan does not spin, you can get a replacement from any junk yard as they are the same part from the late 90's to the end of the Taurus. The parts guy at the yard can determine compatibility. Make sure he tests the fan before you buy it. Should cost about $10 - $15.
I repaired my fan by working it out of the housing, and freeing it up with WD-40. i then greased it up and it is fine, but I would recommend just getting a junk yard replacement. (much more time efficient!)

NOTE: a brand new motor is only $45 or so. With warranty.

AnswerBlown fuse, bad switch, defective resistor pack, or a bad fan motor.


See "Related Questions" below for more
Answer

If the blower motor is the problem, it should make noise or fail to work until you hit it with a hammer.

If the blower resistor is the problem, the blower should work only when set to the highest speed.
First things first. On your instrument panel, if you turn on the fan and nothing happens, you can be pretty sure it's your blower motor. The a/c and heat share the same blower, so if both won't blow that's probably your problem. I would doubt it's the switch. Those things just don't go too often, and it's more work than it's worth to take off the dash to get to it. I would bet it's the blower, as those go frequently in this model- bless the people at ford. I have the same car and had to do this last year. Go purchase a repair manual at your local auto store ($15). It's well worth it. This repair is pretty easy and you CAN do it yourself in an hour our so by following the directions in the manual- I promise, even if you don't know a socket from a screwdriver. Your blower motor, if that's what the problem truly is, is located behind your glove compartment. You can see it if you push in the tabs on each side of your glove and lower it down; don't worry you won't break them. A blower motor is $40 or so. It's easy access, very simple to do and will get you back on track. Just be sure to disconnect your neg battery terminal before you do any work. However, if the problem is your heater core you may want to get someone to help fix that if you're not mechanically inclined. If it is the core you can always just turn your blower on vent and get the hot air from the engine in the winter. Best of luck.
replace the fan motor relay.
Amen to the first answer. Same thing happened to me a few weeks ago on my Taurus. Had to replace blower motor. Labor, parts cost $142.00. Mechanic warned me to keep all switches in the off position when I bring it to car wash. Water gets sucked into the blower motor housing, apparently even it car is off. Go figure. im my experience i have found that water leaks into the blower motor from the area of the cabin air filter and the water shorts the motor out. you may check with your local Ford dealer because there might be a recall on this issue. good luck I HAVE A 2001 FORD TAURUS SES AND THE BLOWER STOPPED WORKING ON IT. I PUT 2 NEW BLOWERS IN IT. THE FORD DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. SO I TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP AND HE FOUND A LEAK IN THE CABIN AIR FILTER HE FIXED IT HAVE NOT HAD ANY MORE PROBLEMS. if their is water in the blower motor ford has a tsb (technical service bulliten) to replace the blower motor, blower motor switch, the passanger side cowl panel and a new weatherstrip. check with you local dealer.
Blown blower motor fuse? Bad blower motor? Bad blower motor resistor? Blower Relay?