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Updated on Jan 31, 2024

John Davis

Expert Automotive Writer

Reviewed by Kathleen Flear, Director of Content

Edited by Jessica Barrett, Senior Car & Insurance Editor

What's on this page?

How much does it cost to replace a blower motor relay?
Where can I get my blower motor relay replaced?
How will a mechanic replace my blower motor relay?
What happens if I don’t replace my blower motor relay?
What is a blower motor relay?
Can I replace my blower motor relay myself?
FAQs
Meet Our Experts

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How much does it cost to replace a blower motor relay?

A replacement blower motor relay has an average total cost of $79, with $29 for parts and $50 for labor costs. The actual price depends on your vehicle and labor costs in your area.

How long does it take to replace a blower motor relay? It usually doesn’t take a certified mechanic very long to swap out blower motor relays. Usually, they can get the work done in about 0.4 hours. This includes the time it takes to do a quick diagnostics test first.

Take a look at blower motor relay replacement costs for different vehicles:

Estimate Date	Customer	Car	Fair Cost Estimate	Parts Cost	Labor Cost	Labor Time
April 25, 2024	Adeline, 24 Austin, TX	Chevrolet Captiva	$71	$33	$38	0.3 Hours
April 25, 2024	Alma, 24 Newark, DE	Toyota Camry	$78	$41	$37	0.3 Hours
April 24, 2024	Adeline, 26 Bloomington, IL	Mazda 6	$222	$198	$24	0.3 Hours
April 21, 2024	Austin, 30 Anthony, FL	Alfa Romeo Giulia	$229	$198	$32	0.3 Hours
April 15, 2024	Dale, 41 Buckeye, AZ	Mercury Sable	$74	$41	$33	0.3 Hours

How did we estimate these prices?
Jerry's experts researched and collected data from 2500+ real repair shops in all 50 states in the US, including everything from the total cost of repair services to the hourly labor cost for mechanic labor in each shop. We combined that data with our expert database of hundreds of real repair jobs, thousands of real cars, millions of real car part prices in order to best estimate the cost of each repair service. Our labor cost estimate is calculated by taking the average hourly labor rate for a certified mechanic in the US, times the number of hours it takes on average to complete a repair. We recommend you compare your local shops with Jerry and contact those shops directly to get final pricing for your vehicle.

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What parts do I need for my blower motor relay replacement and how much do those parts cost?

Replacing the blower motor relay is pretty simple and doesn’t require many new parts. Here’s what you’ll need:

New blower motor relay: The relay looks like a plug, and it typically costs between $15 and $60. If you’re not sure which relay to buy, check your owner’s manual for the right part number or ask your mechanic to look up the part for you. Even though blower motor relays look similar, they have unique electrical components, so you must replace your relay with a relay of the same part number.

In addition to the replacement relay, have these tools handy:

Allen wrenches

Deep-well socket set

Plastic trim panel tool

Open-end wrench

Screwdriver set

Needle-nose pliers

Owner’s manual

You can buy replacement parts for your blower motor relay from auto parts stores like AutoZone, NAPA Auto Parts, and Advance Auto Parts, as well as online retailers such as Amazon and RockAuto. Three reputable brands we recommend are Dorman, ACDelco, and Standard Motor Products. Keep in mind that the best options for your blower motor relay will vary depending on your’s year, make, and model.

Should I buy OEM or aftermarket parts?

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. There shouldn’t be too much difference in the quality of parts, but if your car is still under warranty, you might risk voiding it by going with aftermarket replacement parts. Since it’s not a very expensive part, you might not save much by going with the aftermarket option.

Where can I buy parts for my blower motor relay replacement?

Head to your local auto body shop or auto part store like AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts or NAPA Auto Parts. If they’re out of stock, they can order the replacement relay for you. You can also shop online on RockAuto or Amazon. Just remember to check that the part matches your vehicle’s replacement specs.

Find out what parts are recommended for my car

Where can I get my blower motor relay replaced?

When you’re ready to get the relay replaced, the last thing you want to do is spend hours finding an automotive repair shop that you trust. Jerry's

GarageGuard™

is here to help! The free app compares fair price estimates from over 2,500 vetted repair shops in the US.

Read through their real hourly labor rates, find out what’s included in the service cost, and read reviews from customers to help you pick the best service for your vehicle.

Take a look at some of our vetted shops below and download the app to compare car repair quotes in your area.

162 Reviews

Victory Auto Service & Glass - Maplewood

2128 Rice St, Minneapolis, MN

Blower Motor Relay Replacement Cost

Fair Cost Estimate for This Shop

$195

(Parts - $41, Labor - $154)

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$154

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (651) 403-5958

146 Reviews

Northtown Auto Clinic

2235 Taney St, Kansas City, MO

Blower Motor Relay Replacement Cost

Fair Cost Estimate for This Shop

$183

(Parts - $41, Labor - $142)

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$80

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (816) 842-1777

174 Reviews

Yoo's Auto Service & Collision

189 W Duncannon Ave, Philadelphia, PA

Blower Motor Relay Replacement Cost

Fair Cost Estimate for This Shop

$126

(Parts - $41, Labor - $85)

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$100

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (215) 457-7777

147 Reviews

Uptown Automotive

1089 San Mateo Ave, San Francisco, CA

Blower Motor Relay Replacement Cost

Fair Cost Estimate for This Shop

$191

(Parts - $41, Labor - $150)

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$200

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (650) 871-8602

How did we vet these shops?
Jerry experts researched 2500+ real repair shops across the US. We talked to real shop customers, and analyzed both real shop pricing data and thousands of real customer reviews from each shop to verify them individually. We do not partner with the shops listed above, and our analysis is always unbiased.

How will a mechanic replace my blower motor relay?

If your car has a bad blower motor relay, here are the steps you or your mechanic should take to replace it:

Locate the blower motor relay: This is usually found in the under-dash or under-hood fuse box. In most cars, you can get to the relay through the glove compartment. To make it easier to work, empty the glove box and remove the compartment.

Disconnect the battery: As a safety precaution, pop on a pair of safety glasses and disconnect your car’s battery at the negative cable.

Remove the relay motor’s door panel: Use a screwdriver to remove the two screws that hold the panel door in place. Now, you have access to the blower motor relay.

Remove the relay and compare parts: Pull the defective blower motor relay from its electric socket. Then, look at the part number printed on it. Check that your new blower motor relay has the same part number.

Install the new blower motor relay: Push the new relay into the empty slot.

Reconnect the battery and test the blower motor: Reconnect the car battery at the negative cable and switch on the engine. Test the new relay by running the heat and AC. Turn it to different speeds and temperatures to determine if the new relay works.

Re-install the relay motor’s door panel and glove box: Grab your screwdriver and screw the panel door back in place. Then, push the glove compartment into the half-open position (or until you hear a click). Put your items back in the glove box and push it shut.

What happens if I don’t replace my blower motor relay?

If the blower motor relay goes out, the blower motor can’t function. This means driving around without a working climate-control system in your car. You might not mind if the weather’s nice, but on a 100-degree day, you’ll be feeling the heat!

What is a blower motor relay?

The relay is a switch that controls the blower motor. Basically, it tells the blower motor when to turn on and circulate temperature-controlled air in your car. If your car has a separate air conditioning unit (like a rear AC system), it has another blower motor and an additional relay.

Keep in mind: The blower motor relay is not a fuse. The relay is a control, while the fuse protects the relay from electrical power surges.

How do I know if my blower motor relay is bad?

You’ll probably have a pretty good idea that something is wrong with your car’s air conditioning system. Here are some of the most common symptoms of a bad blower motor relay:

Blower motor doesn’t work: If your AC system is suddenly wonky—it only works on certain settings, or it stops working entirely, the relay is likely bad. The point of contact may have worn out, or the relay could have gotten stuck. Either way, the climate control in your car won’t function as it should.

Blown fuses: This one is actually pretty easy to check as long as you know what you’re looking for. Pop the hood and check your fuse box for the blower motor fuse. If the filament is broken, the fuse is blown. This can happen if there’s been an electrical spike.

Melted relay: The relay can get hot if there’s something wrong with it. In extreme cases, the relays can overheat, and the plastic housing will melt or burn. If this happens, you might see damage to the car’s fuse box.

Keep in mind: A mechanic will diagnose a faulty relay by powering it to see if the relay clicks. Then, they’ll measure the resistance across the relay.

How often should a blower motor relay be replaced?

In general, blower motor relays need to be replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. However, every manufacturer specifies an age or mileage limit for their blower motor relays, so check your owner’s manual or consult with a certified mechanic.

The blower motor relay is not regularly checked as part of any regular maintenance inspection. If you suspect the relay is failing, schedule a blower motor relay inspection.

Can I replace my blower motor relay myself?

If you’re confident with your mechanic DIY skills, and you’ve already got a garage stocked with tools, you can replace the blower motor switch. Doing the replacement yourself is a great way to avoid paying labor costs. Before you begin, read through your car’s owner’s manual, and follow all safety recommendations.

Warning: Don’t ever try to repair the damaged relay. It usually can’t be fixed, and the risk of damaging the entire relay is too high.

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FAQs

What causes a blower motor relay to fail?

The blower motor relay switches on and off constantly through hot summers and chilly winters. This continual use causes wear and tear on the relay, which can cause it to fail.

Can a bad relay drain your car’s battery?

Unfortunately, it can. A failing blower motor relay will continue to drain on the battery, even when your car is off.

Meet Our Experts

John Davis

Car Expert

Certified mechanic with 10+ years of experience

John Davis is an expert automotive writer and former automotive mechanic. John's work spans multiple categories, and he relishes the opportunity to research a new subject and expand his area of expertise and industry knowledge. To date, John has written more than 200 articles covering car maintenance and care, car advice, how-to guides, and more.

Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team, John worked as a mechanic and freelance writer, creating content for clients including HotCars and SetPower.

Jessica Barrett

Car Expert

Jessica Barrett is a senior insurance writer and editor with 10 years of experience in the automotive and travel industries. A specialist in car insurance, car loans, and car ownership, Jessica’s mission is to create comprehensive content that car owners can use to manage their costs and improve their lives. As a managing editor for a team of writers and insurance specialists, Jessica has edited over 2,000 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from local insurance shopping tips to refinancing car loans with bad credit.

Before joining Jerry as a senior content editor in 2021, Jessica created visual content for clients such as Expedia, Vivid Seats, Budget Direct Car Insurance, Angie’s List, and HomeAdvisor. Her content was published in Business Insider, Forbes, Apartment Therapy, and the BBC.

Kathleen Flear

Car Expert

Kathleen Flear is an expert insurance writer and editor who heads up Jerry’s editorial team as director of content. Kathleen empowers drivers to make smart car ownership decisions through best-in-class articles on insurance, loans, and maintenance. Prior to joining Jerry in 2021, Kathleen served as managing editor for a team of SEO content marketing professionals at Article-Writing.co and worked as a freelance writer and editor for a range of digital publications, including Chicago Literati magazine and Golden Words. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Queen’s University, and a master’s degree in creative writing and fiction from Sierra Nevada University.

*The price information provided on our car repair webpages is intended for general informational purposes only. Actual prices for car repair services may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to the make and model of your vehicle, the extent of repair required, and the prevailing market conditions. All prices for real repair shops are estimations based on our research only. Therefore, the prices listed on our webpages should not be considered as final quotes or binding offers.