How long does the electric fan relay last?

In the summer months, nothing is more important for a car owner than a properly functioning air conditioning system. Most car owners are unaware of how many components must work together to blow cold air out of the vents. The blower motor relay is what turns off the fan to release cold air into the vehicle interior. When you turn on the switch in the car to activate the air conditioner, the fan relay turns on and the power needed to turn on the fan is released. This part of your vehicle is only used when the A/C is on.

This relay is usually located under the hood of the car in the relay and fuse box. Motor heat combined with constant use of this relay will usually cause it to fail. Almost all relays in a car, including the blower motor relay, are designed to last the life of the car. Even though they are designed to last this long, this rarely happens due to the harsh conditions they are constantly subjected to.

The only way you will be able to get the cool air you need in your car interior is with a properly working fan motor relay. In some cases, the symptoms you will notice when the relay fails are the same as when the fan switch fails. The following are some of the signs you'll notice when it's time to replace the fan motor relay.

• The car air conditioner fan is not working.
• Fan only works sometimes
• Unable to start blower at higher settings
• The fan changes speed without interference

Instead of dealing with the heat outside without a running fan, you'll have to act when signs of a bad fan relay appear. Hiring a professional to troubleshoot the issues you are experiencing will help ensure that the fan motor relay is properly repaired and replaced if necessary.