Why Your Acura Suffers From Insufficient Airflow In Lowell

by Mechanics Direct March 20, 2024

Have you noticed a reduction in your Acura’s airflow? Summer is approaching, and you may be in trouble with minimal airflow from the vents. Are the fans for your heat and air conditioner not keeping up well? If your Acura suffers from insufficient airflow in Lowell, here is why.

Blower Motor

A failed blower motor is one of the most common reasons for reduced airflow in an Acura. Blower motors can fail for various reasons, including defective connections, an open circuit in the power-side circuit, blown fuses, failed bearings, too much amp draw, an electrical failure in the windings, the accumulation of dirt, or old age.

It is a good idea to get an expert opinion on the reason for your failed blower motor because replacing it can be expensive. Depending on your needs, replacement blower motors can cost between $30–$300.

Resistor

In addition to the blower motor, you may have a problem with the resistor. Blower resistors control the fan speed of your Acura’s blower motors. You can change the fan speed by switching the blower resistor resistance mechanically with a lever or electronically through the air conditioning system. Over time, these resistors can become corroded, which reduces their performance and eventually eliminates your ability to control fan speed in your vehicle.

Lost Air

If your blower motor is working well and your resistor is functioning accurately, but you are still losing air in your system, you may have a blockage somewhere in your air box. Over time, dirt and debris can get into your air system and create blockages that redirect the airflow in ways that are not helpful. They may be rerouting warm air back toward the engine or redirecting your AC away from the cab of your vehicle. Either way, you are losing HVAC efficiency and overworking the system with little to show.

The solution to the problem of a blockage in your airbox is to get a trained technician inside and clean it out. Regularly cleaning your airbox is an excellent idea to do as regular maintenance, especially if you live in an area or drive in conditions that kick up a lot of dirt and debris. Keeping your airbox clean can help prolong the life of your HVAC and airflow regulation in your Acura.

Miswiring the Fan

If you have ruled out the above causes for lack of airflow in your Acura but still have the problem, recheck the fan speed. If you can change the controls for the airflow speeds and you hear the fan changing speeds as you make those changes, you may have a backward connection on your fan.

If you noticed the airflow change after doing your HVAC work, the mechanic may have rewired the fan backward in your system. If so, the wires will tell the fan motor to spin backward, drawing the air back toward the engine rather than away. This situation will cause the most inefficiency in your HVAC system since you have a reversed airflow in your system, working against itself harder the more it runs. If you suspect this may be your problem, you should only run the air at a minimal level and get your car to a trained Acura technician as soon as possible to fix the wrong connections.

Solutions to Your Airflow Problems

Most airflow problems stem from damaged parts, electrical wiring issues, or dirt and debris lodged in your HVAC system. While the problems are relatively simple, the solutions required to correct them require significant accuracy and delicate work. It is easy to turn these into DIY projects, only to cause more harm than good, damaging parts or miswiring pieces that were working fine before you tackled them yourself.

You should always seek help from a professional Acura technician when handling electrical or significant mechanical work in your vehicle. A trained technician can protect your safety and your Acura’s well-being and prevent you from losing any warranties you may have on your car.

If you suspect your Acura is having airflow problems and would like some quick and helpful answers, contact Mechanics Direct. We are in North Chelmsford, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tyngsborough, Westford, and Lowell, MA. We promise to offer you first-class auto repair with honest, straight talk. Contact us and schedule an appointment with us today.