2014 Escape How to clean the HVAC blower motor

This video shows how to solve a common problem where underbody sound insulation becomes lodged in the HVAC blower fan causing noisy operation and clogging the cabin filter. Instruction for removing the windshield cowl to gain access to clean the fan, and a look at where the debris comes from.
My apologies in advance for the camera orientation, I'll do better next time.

[@friskygirl45]

Wow, I am beyond thankful for your video. I got in my 2016 Ford Titanium the other day and turned on the AC and it sounded like thunder rumbling, scared me so bad. My husband said it sounded like the blower motor was messed up. So I started searching for the issue online while he was at work the next day. Found your video, sent it to my husband and he said. "We'll check it out." Well Guess what, everything was exactly as you said. cost me a 18 dollar filter and all total about 2 hours since we had to go get the filter and find some tools to clean around the fan. I wish I could attach a picture of my cabin filter it was exactly like you showed. God bless you for posting this!!!

[@RedeemedMechanic]

I’m very glad it helped!

[@stephenhaden6564]

I cannot thank you enough for this video. I was about to dive in and pull the dashboard apart to get to the blower, and you saved me who-knows how many hours of aggravation and work. Cleaned it out and fixed in less than an hour. Again, THANK YOU!

[@RedeemedMechanic]

Glad you saw it before all that work!

[@user-yz2cc9xp8y]

Duuuuuuude!!! That was spot on!! I don’t know anything about vehicles. You did a great job of explaining that. I’m going to go do it right now! Thank you well done 👍🏻

[@RedeemedMechanic]

You’re welcome! Glad it helped.

[@scottberube529]

Thank you Scott you saved me alot of time by doing it that way Thank you

[@blugoriboy]

Hey man. My AC was vibrating and shaking like crazy at high fan settings. I took it into the shop. They said there was a mouse nest and that they would charge me $1150.00 to replace the cabin air filter,m blower motor and air duct. I thought that was insane. I watched your video. Followed the steps, didn't find any mouse nest, only;y the insulation from the fender that you were talking about. Cleaned it out. And not the AC work s fine at max settings. No vibration and no noise. The ford dealership really tried to screw me out of over $1000 and you helped me solve the problem myself. So thank you sir. I owe you one.

[@RedeemedMechanic]

Great to hear you saved so much!

[@stevenriviere1496]

Your video was a great help. I removed the insulation you indicated was our problem but the extreme vibration I had was from a desiccated mouse carcass. I used flex cable pickup tool to grab and remove the carcass.

[@danskowronski4675]

You are a rock star! Thought the 2017 Escape's blower motor was gone with all the vibration and noise. Came across your video, decided to pull the filter and you described exactly what I had. Loose insulation material in the filter and housing. So followed your easy direction to get at the blower motor, and sure enough, clogged with that same material. A few minutes of vacuuming and solved the problem. Only took about an hour and a $20 filter. Thanks, again...

[@RedeemedMechanic]

Glad it helped!

[@mattwargo8226]

I could not reach my arm in to pull the stuff out of the fan, so I was using spring loaded retrievers, that you push down on the button and spring loaded fingers come out and you release the button and they grab whatever they are touching. This worked real well, but on the third try I brought out a dead mouse. Other than the mouse in the fabric, everything worked just like he said on my 2016 Ford Escape😀👍

[@RedeemedMechanic]

Good idea with the grabber tool! Sorry you got the "bonus" mouse!

[@cconditt]

Mother in laws Escape is doing the same thing. Out of nowhere, her blower is out of balance. Pretty sure this is the issue. Thanks for posting! Gonna save me a lot of time here

[@jessharrington1127]

It took me a while but I found your video. It is the only one that I could find that was actually helpful. Thank you!

[@RedeemedMechanic]

Glad it helped!

[@yhwhhh]

Scott, thank you!! Leaving on a car trip tomorrow & yesterday, wife said air-conditioning was howling. Watched your fantastic video & followed instructions on wife's 2016 Escape SE. Simple, easy & actually took it apart twice, late night, yada yada, buttoned it up for use. She needed the car today & car still had insulation/sound deadening material(?), what ever that white stuff is, inside the blower. Pretty easy really, got the rest out & back together when she got home today, leaving in the a.m.. Appreciative & thankful for your taking the time to make this video!

[@RedeemedMechanic]

You’re very welcome. Glad it helped.

[@craig6108]

Thank you Scott! My fan motor was making a loud thumping noise and when I investigated per your video I pulled out two handfuls of insulation. Now it's running smoothly again. Your video probably saved me a couple hundred bucks at a repair shop.

[@rickystracener1634]

Hey thanks so much for the video. Mine was a 4x4 piece of paper. I am a 63 year old lady and this video was simple yet detailed enough for me. I am so happy problem solved! Thanks!

[@RedeemedMechanic]

Rhonda Stracener, glad to hear!

[@richardbuzby2939]

Used this video to correct the problem on 2017 Escape. I picked up a flexible grabber / pickup tool as the fan was packed with insulation. Was able to pull all the material out with the tool. Ford says there is no known problem with this and it isn’t covered by warranty unless fan was ruined! Thanks for your video.

[@RedeemedMechanic]

Richard Buzby great idea using the grabber tool. I had to laugh at Ford denying the problem. 39 thousand people have watched my little video now. Seems like a common issue to me!

[@nic_20043]

Thanks for the video, HUGE help!

[@peris1156]

Excellent video! In my case it was a parking receipt that somehow got into the fan. I used an endoscope with a camera to get a better look. Thanks!

[@rickculwell449]

I had the exact same symptoms. Thank you for this clear, informative video. Saved me hundreds of dollars when I cleaned it myself.

[@RedeemedMechanic]

You’re welcome! Glad it helped.

[@InWithBothFeet]

2016 Escape.. The dealer told me it was a mouse nest. Thanks for the video. Took me about an hour

[@sdbowen999]

Thank you very much!!!! Wonderful video. Had the noise gone on my 2016 Escape in less than an hour. I was able to get my little 1 gal shop vac hose down in there. Thanks again for posting.

[@TheLemory]

Thanks so much, this video helped so much.

[@simqlyafk1700]

Thanks Scott for making this video and giving us confidence that it is doable. Also, for the cause why our blower sounds rough at high speed. Doing mine this weekend. You just saved me time and my wallet 🤩👍

[@RedeemedMechanic]

You’re very welcome.

[@hotoilhands]

Absolutely awesome. Thanks. I'm changing my filter out tomorrow because I've been hearing that whine from my blower motor. I'll look for that foam insulation now.

[@badactor3440]

That's why you should always have the vent setting on "recirculate".

[@r.b.5633]

Thanks Scott I had A MOUSE In My Fan and this video was a great help! apparently this wheel went a lot faster that he could keep up with...…….

[@RedeemedMechanic]

R. B. Yuck! I've had that problem before with a different vehicle. My mouse had babies before its fateful demise, though. It was very gross. Glad you got it handled!

[@jamierenaud7621]

Came to this video for the exact same reason! 🤮

[@markolson864]

An absolute life saver. Thank you so much. The Ford dealership charged $191.00 to tell us there was a mouse in the blower which by the smell we already knew and wanted another $2,600.00 to clean it out. I will be having a sit down with their Service manager shortly believe me if they ever want me to deal there again.

[@0GINI]

@@markolson864 I think I have the same problem. where was the mouse exactly? thanks so much

[@Conflict978]

Just what I was looking for now I know what the problem is I'll definitely be doing this this week. Thank you for taking the time to show us how to do it. Love me some KZbin! 🙂

[@mikekenner7720]

Thanks a bunch Scott. Saved me a bunch of time and money. My 2015 Escape and my 2012 Focus both developed the same problem in the same week. Probably rodent activity. I wish it was as easy to access the blower on the Focus.

[@realtortinahosler6046]

Just saved myself about $200! Thank you sooo much!

[@ordinaryadonis8711]

Video was a huge help. Not insulation on my end it was a mouse but appreciate the video.

[@aurdraco]

Thank you for posting this!

[@lorilynn6563]

Thank you! I was just quoted $300 that I don't have to "remove a mouse or mouse nest" from my blower motor. Thanks to your video, I can do myself. Yay!!!

[@RedeemedMechanic]

Lori Lynn, glad it was a help!

[@russellivey1186]

Thanks for the video. Very informative! The vibration on my instance (2013 Escape SE, 1.6 Ecoboost w/dual climate zones) was a very small piece of tape stuck to the blower wheel. Thanks again,a

[@keithveath]

Thank you!! Quick fix for the problem for sure. I was ready to start tearing the whole dash apart!

[@RedeemedMechanic]

Glad to help and happy your dash remains intact.

[@uf1978]

Just replaced mine yesterday. Did not see any of this material but it had mold growth all over it! 2013 with 56000 mile and this is the first time replacing the cabin filter. I will not wait as long in the future. Thanks for the video!

[@nonitobadong1510]

KingCobra do you know where I can access the ac condenser drain line? Mine is plugged and water is dripping inside passenger side.

[@uf1978]

Sorry, i have no idea but you may want to try the ford escape forum for the answer.

[@nonitobadong1510]

I tried that, and have no definite explanation. I just dont want to pull out as much plastics as possible. I am trying to get the best possible way to access it. And dealership wont give the heck out of it. Thank you.

[@danielchampagne9686]

Thank you thank you very much. That was my problem exactly

[@jsilver919]

Awesome video! Pretty sure this is what I'll be tearing into on the boss ladies car

[@davidtaylor9508]

Good video, thanks. Next time turn phone side ways while filming!

[@RedeemedMechanic]

David Taylor Thanks David, I learned my about my phone camera the hard way. In fact, if you read the video details paragraph, you’ll note I apologized in advance because I realized my error during editing. Glad it helped anyway, though!

[@rg0224]

When taking the windshield wiper off, press down in the middle of the wiper and pull where the nut is and it'll come right off

[@jakealan1822]

Lol, here goes nothing! Thanks for the tutorial.

[@IntheeyesofMorbo]

The 2017 HVAC air intake is quite a bit different just fyi rest of the video to get to it still worked but I'm having trouble getting a vacc hose down the newer intake plenum box. I wish it was like the one on yours. I also checked air filter. I haven't found any insulation or nests so I suspect I've just worn the blower motor out driving full time ride share for 18 months

[@jdrosner1]

same here. thanks

[@robf3902]

Good video, I have heard from a technician the foam is broken up various times of the year because rodents get in there and use the foam as parts of a nest they are building .. nest have even been found in the blower area..

[@RedeemedMechanic]

Mine wasn't due to rodents. You could see where the material had deteriorated on the side that hadn't come apart yet. It was clear that the insulation had hardened and become weak due to heat, not mice.

[@TheOnlySgtRock]

Mine was from mice. We had mouse piss and mouse turds in our cabin air filter.

[@trishison9691]

Thanks, I had one leaf in my fan and it was very loud

[@RedeemedMechanic]

It’s amazing how little it takes to throw off the balance of a fan. Glad you got it!

[@alphaparanormaladventures]

How do I remove the blower motor on a 2014 Ford escape

[@rongarden]

Just had my 2017 in for this issue. 2013-2017 Escapes are now covered under TSB - 0034. If still under warranty period Ford will fix it and replace the cover assembly with one with a screen to keep critters out.

[@RedeemedMechanic]

Ron Garden, Great info! Thanks!

[@kylo38]

Great video scott, thanks for the help. There is an actuated door on my car that is closed so I can't see the blower. It doesn't move with any setting changes in the cab. Do you happen to know what it's function is and what it is called? I pushed it open and cleaned the blower but I think I may need to fix it not moving

[@RedeemedMechanic]

Kyle Schneider Thanks! By any chance does your Escape have dual zone a/c controls? Because I think the dual zone have a door there, looks like a fresh air door. I would think it would move when you cycle the recirculate option.

[@richardbuzby2939]

What was changed in the Mid 2017 Escapes to halt the problem of insulation being sucked in? In my case, it seems to be mice doing this. I have had the clogged up twice in 2 weeks. Each time, trying to rip out the remaining insulation I can reach on the fender liners. This is maddening.......

[@RedeemedMechanic]

I think they changed the cowl. I’ll have to have a look next time I see a newer one in the shop.

[@ssdamos1]

My wife has a 2014 Ford Escape. We don't have any issues at higher fan speeds, but her issue is a little annoying, continuous chirping sound and it only happens on fan speeds 1 and 2. When you go higher, it goes away. Do you suppose this may still be her issue as well? Also, my fender wells have a cover on them, I don't see any foam. Is the foam under the covers? My son just detailed the car so he asked me not to pull out the cabin filter until his mom gets to see it LOL. That will be the first thing I check though.

[@RedeemedMechanic]

The chirping may be the blower motor’s bearing going bad. Unfortunately, you’d have to take apart the dash to remove the motor when you’re ready to replace that. The “foam” is really more of a puffy cloth fabric material.

[@nonitobadong1510]

Do you know where i can access my ac condenser drain line? Mine is plugged and is dripping inside passenger side. Thanks.

[@RedeemedMechanic]

Nonito Badong I apologize, I didn't see this comment when it was posted. As it happens I don't have any info on the drain for this exact vehicle yet. However, I've seen a similar Ford vehicle at work and if I remember right, the drain came out behind one of the heat shields near the center 'hump'. I had to remove some of the interior trim (pull back the carpet and detach the center console side pieces) to find the tube, and follow it out. In that vehicle, the clog was at the evaporator box and not in the tube. A dead palmetto bug was trapped in the drain outlet of the box, which is behind the console in the same area as the cabin filter access. Next time I deal with one (at home or at work) I will try to get a video up for it.

[@someone6333]

Scott I do have a 2013 ford escape ecoboost. My vents stopped blowing air at all. I changed the blower resistor, i chacked the fuses. But I'm have still the same problem. Any suggestions plz?

[@RedeemedMechanic]

Wow. That’s not good. You say you checked fuses, did you verify both? In the battery junction box (that’s the fuse box under the hood by the battery) you would need to check fuses F23 (5amp) and F10 (40amp). If those are good i would check the blower relay also. It’s in the same box, at location R13. You can test it by swapping it with another relay of the same type in the fuse box. Next, if you have a test light and can access the connector at the blower motor (it’s above the accelerator pedal), check for power by backprobing at the yellow/green wire with the key on and the fan switch on any speed. If you have power on that wire, that’s good. Now backprobe the blue/brown wire. If you don’t see power at the blue/brown wire you have a bad fan motor. If you do see power on the blue/brown wire, supply a temporary ground to that wire and see if the fan comes on. If it does, you have a bad resistor or a bad switch. I hope this is helpful! Best of luck.

[@michaelashe5265]

Is it possible to replace the blower fan this way if it's too clogged or damaged? Or does it have to be replaced from inside the car like other youtube videos demonstrate?

[@RedeemedMechanic]

Unfortunately, it can’t be removed this way, only cleaned. The bolts that hold the housing in place are on the other side of the case you are reaching into.

[@michaelashe5265]

@@RedeemedMechanic Thanks, much appreciated!

[@thunderroad7289]

The vibration is so bad right now. I’m trying to get it all out but not seeing anymore

[@IntheeyesofMorbo]

Fyi 225 torx for the brake fluid reservoir

[@trevongardner1723]

What if it just stopped blowing we heard a little boom and a lot of vibration then the heater stopped blowing but it blows long as the car is going over 50 or so

[@trevongardner1723]

Only on the first setting

[@RedeemedMechanic]

Sorry for the late reply, try having a look at Fuse #10 in the underhood fuse panel. It's a 40 amp fuse. If you had high mechanical resistance from something jamming the fan, you may have popped the fuse. Try clearing any debris from the fan, and then replacing that fuse if it is blown. If it still doesn't operate, check the blower motor resistor, which unfortunately is located behind the dash on the driver's side. If you follow your accelerator pedal upwards, you will see it sitting up above that pedal and just below the blower motor. You may need to remove the pedal assembly to get the resistor out and inspect it.

[@jimmysam3106]

so where is the filter located

[@RedeemedMechanic]

The cabin filter is located under the passenger footwell, behind the center console area. Its a little difficult to access. I don't have a video of changing it, but there are plenty of helpful ones. If you search "Ford Escape 2013-2017 Cabin Filter Replacement" you should find a walk-through.

[@justski40]

i lucked out just did mine today stuck the vac hose down and sucked a a big fresh mouse .....lol

[@RedeemedMechanic]

jim Yuck! Glad you got it while it was fresh at least!

[@justski40]

@@RedeemedMechanic yes me too....lol..I was just on my way to town went about 5 miles and started to hear this ticking noise and it got loud and thank god I got it out that ez and didnt have to take that blower motor out I would of told the wife to just buy a new car.LOL

[@Alycanj]

Great video and another bad Ford design.

[@aurdraco]

Thank you for posting this!