Blower motor randomly shuts off

HELP! I have a 2016 4Runner Limited, aprox 90k miles new to me at 75k miles. My knowledge level is youtube level only (on a good day).

My blower fan will randomly stop. The display will show it at full power but it has clearly stopped. I eventually found if I push the off button to climate control, then turn it back on, the fan will start again. If it blast the air (hot,, vent or a/c) full power, it will shut off after a few seconds. Currently if the fan is set to medium or lower, the fan will stop, and I must push the off button and then turn it back on. I must do this several times before it stays on.

For the record, yes the system has that duel climate setting and yes, it happens its that setting on and off.

My first thought is it could be the blower motor. Since i got the 4runner It had been making the traditional squeeking noise, so this past Fall, I finally dropped the motor to see if something was stuck in blades or if it had buildup. Nothing was in the blades, but the motor was very difficult to spin. I cleaned it as best I could, but couldn't disassemble it to oil the bushings. I thought I had found an oil hole , and added a drop or two...or twelve, of 3in one oil. No more squeeze and the blades turned ALOT easier... but this random stopping problem still going on...just alot more often.

Question 1- If I need a new motor because that wasn't an oil hole...which type should i get...OEM or cheaper after market?
Question 2- the resistor for the blower motor... where is it? Could this be the issue of random stopping?
Question 3- could it be a relay? If so, where is it ?
Any other thoughts? Trying to avoid randomly replacing parts
ANY help would be appreciated.

 

1. I’m a OEM all the way kinda guy, but depending on the money they want, I could be convinced to compromise my principles and get aftermarket. That said, I’d only compromise on parts if they are quick and easy to replace. Otherwise OEM. Also, if your motor was hard to turn before oiling it, the oiling it didnt kill it. But I wouldnt oil a new one, as Ive never heard of preventive maintainance on a blower motor.

2. Seems to me like you already established the motor was physically hard to turn. Not sure a resistor should be suspected.

3. Relay…again, if you lubed it up and it spun better, and it worked better for a while, it really sounds like a mechanical failure, not switching/electrical.

 

It’s either a worn out fan or a controller issue.

 

I am having this same issue but not on a dual climate system. My blower will just stop, AC lights on and I have to spin the controller knob off and on and it will start blowing again. The air temp is always cold and the AC lights remain on.

 

Do these have the same resistor problem that the 4th gens had? If so it's a cheap and easy fix from the passenger footwell.

 

My understanding is the resistor for the 5th gen blower fan is inside the fan housing. It is my understanding that replacing the resistor is no longer an option; Part of Toyotad move to easily swappable parts cluster componants..
I ordered a replacement factory oem yesterday. Didn't want the interference some aftermarket models create with the radio. Will post if the problem is taken care of. Then will disect the old fan and see if the resistor is capable of being swapped out. Oh joy.
Ps- msrp for new toyota oem fan was $190, but after some google hunting found it for $130 plus $30shipping. My local toyota dealer here in Iowa was charging full sticker price for it. Saved $30....

 

Maybe the fan is overheating because of bad bearings. Is there any type of thermal switch that may cause the fan to shut down?

 

Finally had a break and got the new blower installed earlier this week. That back screw sucks... but it's working 100% again. The funny thing is the last 2 days before the install the old blower started working great again.... figured it had something to do with the high humidity in the area. After I was done with the install I discovered a rust spot the size of 3 nickles layed side by side by side, under the front passenger scuff plate. (Thought it was dirt at first) Wire brushed the rust off, sprayed rust reformer by rustolium over the spot... have waited a few days..
Not sure if I'm going to paint over that, or strip it down and do some "other" rust triage. It's in a spot that is covered by the scuff plate... There was some pitting but nothing all they way through the metal. I dremelled wirebrused it down to shinny metal. I fear rust...

 

Do blower motors still have brushes? From the problem description it sounds like they're goin' south.

But the motor being hard to turn points me to the bearing being out. Oil won't help for long.

 

I figured I would attempt to disect the old blower moter this winter when I have more down time. They plastic weld the white impeller blade to the shaft... instead of just claming it on like they used to. Don't think it was bushing issue.... since the fan would work fine on all setting except full power, which would shut it down - Resistor seems the more logical reason. I found video on YouTube showing older versions of the blower fan with the bushing accessible, able to swap it for a barring.... haven't found any on replacing the internal resistor..... yet.