Nissan Pathfinder: No Heat / Blower Motor Stops Working

In this video I have a look at a Nissan Pathfinder that has a blower motors that likes to work when it wants to. Let's see if we can find out what the heck is wrong with it. -Enjoy!
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.

[@SouthMainAuto]

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[@JamesValentineBaja1000]

Link is broken

[@SouthMainAuto]

@@JamesValentineBaja1000 Hmmm... when I click them they work? Takes a second or two to load but they open.... Anyone else having an issue?

[@JamesValentineBaja1000]

I'll exercise a little more patience 😒😳🤣

[@JamesValentineBaja1000]

Holy cow, 15s later. Verizon and I need a talk I suppose 🤦‍♂️

[@Chubbycat747]

@@JamesValentineBaja1000 Not working here, must be overloaded with new customers.

[@jeffreybrookes9731]

Oh how I long for the good old days of a six-hour Subaru suspension rattle Fest with big nasty from SMA

[@72strand]

The best thing with this channel is that i don't have to do any work.

[@SmittySmithsonite]

Yep, I didn't even swear once! :D

[@baxrok2.]

Although resistance is futile, it's necessary for a blower motor to work. Thanks Dr. O!

[@markh.6687]

"You will be assimilated into the Nissan!"

[@throttlebottle5906]

and the blower motor resistance best not be futile to the controller :)

[@rodneymiddleton9624]

I've seen the cabin air filters stopped up and causing the modules to fail prematurely. Thanks for the video!!!

[@shaneharrison4775]

I hear ya rodney we have a 06 xterra got it used and abused test drove it and fell in love with it a hot beasty heat worked well by the next winter the heater kinked out so new heater controls resistors and blower motor well almost the blower was seized and we let the smoke out of it and the resistors tended up vacuuming out all kinds of junk the girl who owned it had no idea her bf was beating it every chance he got so in went both halves of the cabin filters after clean up a new resistor and new blower motor and fan and it's been awesome getting time for new cabin filters trying to make sure their changed yearly when pollen is near 0

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Eric O dropping knowledge again! haha That uscope is so handy to have around!

[@SouthMainAuto]

You have one PJ? I'm sure you do but if you don't, they really are handy. If it was a two channel it'd be awesome!

[@overload3996]

@@SouthMainAuto no high or low CAN comparison w/one channel, useless. Why show up to a event with a fish hook, when you can use a mini 4 channel like a fish net.

[@heathgraffam2166]

Great tips watched it got my friend's blow. A motorcycle, it was junk and the blower was pushing too much. Thanks for the info. Man really appreciate guys like you.

[@Defofone]

Not a single ad during the video! No candidate for dogcatcher or anything else! Best video I’ve seen all day!

[@DARTHFEAR0N]

Always a good day with a new SMA video

[@glynwatkins9968]

Always good to see you @ South Main Auto Repair LLC Eric O, enjoy ya lunch btw

[@pantherplatform]

The current is finding a different path. Your diagnostic procedures have taught me how to quickly find the problem and fix it right the first time.

[@JC-tm6wh]

I got my SMA t-shirts the other day, love them, thanks.

[@merks69]

You know I was sitting on my deck yesterday and said the same thing, “the call of the blue jay” awesome

[@markamcampbell6340]

I had the same problem with my 06 frontier it wasn't covered under warranty. Found out it was a bad resister pack. Took the old one out and fixed a few solder wires.

[@Brian-lw4su]

Thanks again for a wonderful video Eric! Oh how i just enjoy seeing that notification from South Main Auto. You teach everyone the best an the easiest way of diagnosing symptoms. Id love to see some more videos of both you an Ivan from Pine Hollow Diagnostics together again. Thanks for some wonderful content even tho it doesn't have the BRAKE CLEAN in the video.

[@1oldteck]

Love the videos. I always learn so much from you

[@richard1656]

Good troubleshooting techniques. I have always liked your approach to problem solving and diagnostic testing. two thumbs up.

[@leohoover7645]

Love the videos hope to see a lot more I run out to quick also your very inspiring and have good tips glad to see you include your family and have fun on the channel as well

[@wyattoneable]

You've become a respected teacher of automotive science and technology in a few short years (as far as KZbin and our access to you goes). I've learned so much from your videos along with others like Mike. It has really made working on cars fun again. Well, coolant leaks. I hate working on anything that leaks. Maybe owning a Jeep and a Harley has done that to me.

[@CopCat34]

Thanks for the link for uScope Basic Kit. Keep your videos coming!

[@peterfaggella3120]

Hey Eric - thanks for all your videos over the past few years. I STUDY everything you post, and guess what, I passed the L1 yesterday with a great score. Thanks for all your help. I'm a HS automotive instructor these days and we don't get too in depth with much, but learning from your videos keeps me employable should I ever decide to get back into a "real job" :)

[@jamesu]

Thanks for the video Eric. I pray you and the family are well.

[@panda_built_garage9528]

Love you channel bud! Learned a crap ton from ya!

[@DIYDaveOK]

BTW, Eric, if memory serves, this is already a few days past your birthday. Belated happy birthday, sir!

[@dougshiner9180]

Last Vehicle I had fan control problems, with I checked the voltage dip on the fan motor with an oscilloscope, and decided that the motor was drawing too much current on start up, as it had taken out the controller/resistor by blowing the thermistor. Replaced both the motor and the controller/resistor. All good and still working after all these months.

[@jgeorges3061]

Thanks Eric, for sharing ur knowledge and as always u are AWESOME in my book.cheeeeeers

[@donaldrackley626]

Great video Mr owe . enjoyed every minute of it. Big or small video doesn't matter. still fantastic.

[@lawrencetickle2706]

YESSS! Hump day with SMA!!!

[@amybarr5054]

Love my uscope. Shipped to the UK when they came off back order end of july. Great to see the kit in action on your channel.

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

That uScope is an awesome tool! I love mine. Great for a quick engine compression test too! Great video Dr. O. Gonna be at camper on the weekend! Stop on by!

[@jackmcmahon3262]

SMA best videos on KZbin

[@xxrodneyxx]

You're nice guy Eric showing/using the uscope. I'd like to see more of the new Autel Ultra and the pico scope in use. Thanks for all the content. Always appreciated.

[@n3iyr]

Got my shirt today. I got a blue one this time. Covered black first since black it hides the gease. Guess this makes this my "Sunday go to meeting" shirt. Thanks!

[@maineiacnorth1243]

Eric, Thank you for making these videos.

[@luisrojas5945]

Please more electrical diagnostics videos! Automotive student here! Find them very helpful and informative! Thanks for the great content

[@d.d4184]

Love the videos I just didn't think you explained how this system works clearly enough.

[@naokimatsushima4979]

You can get 2 ch. scope from amazon for $100. It also has signal generator. 4 ch. for little more $. Now there is tablet scopes. Cheaper & better than uscope.

[@kellyspeppers]

Use my mini scope all the time, so handy, so much information.

[@rnreajr9184]

Well, it looks like you guys are really busy - I am missing your videos! Hope to see something soon, but until then, take care of your family and your business.

[@richard1835]

Thank you SMA. Thumbs up

[@EvanT1995]

Starting a new job in a couple weeks working on lift trucks (forklifts) and other various equipment. A lot of these are electronic and I'm hoping someday I'll be as good as you at being an electrical guru.

[@SouthMainAuto]

I'm hoping you'll be better because frankly I'm not that good

[@billziegmond4943]

Another great diagnostic

[@ronwatson4902]

Good video. I'm liking you style. Thanks

[@CTSCAPER]

Thanks for the electrical diagnosis videos.

[@Hndsomehubby]

Saw the UScope in the thumb nail, had to watch, thank you.

[@PaulysAuto]

Those little scopes are so cool man!

[@alextipple8650]

Awesome... Keep up the great work

[@robertkurtz3332]

Interesting presentation in which a " controller " varies the ground resistance of the blower motor based an input or duty cycle.. of the VBC (variable blower control).....also.interesting here is that the motor worked on "high"..so the controller was able to ground the circuit if the pulse width was wide enough...

[@HoppysBronco]

I think that Mr O needs a car to fix that the test run ends up at the ice cream shop

[@doyleb4360]

Informative video......as always

[@greggreen1139]

I went from mechanic to technician on electric light rail transportation. Oh, Eric how I cant describe how jealous I am and how much I miss automotive 12v wiring diagrams. It's like a relief to see it all on one page, color coded and labeled in english. Oi...

[@woodworking5979]

I was 563 person to thumbs up this sma video good times.

[@JoesAutoElectric]

Nice brother!

[@nickmayo2974]

I've had my uscope master kit for a few weeks now, it's awesome!

[@JamesValentineBaja1000]

Really tht good?

[@nickmayo2974]

It is for me. You don't need one often but when you need it you need it.

[@CasperTheGhost64]

I don't even care about cars, but I still watch all your stuff lol

[@jtb52]

Pointing apparatus.....another great one

[@donnierobertson3088]

Nice job and video

[@renerivas3619]

Hello my friend. Nice. Job. 👍👏👏👏

[@maintenanceman6526]

Hello Eric, I think everyone would love a video showing what all the correct readings on your scan tool should be. I’m talking about correct ranges on fuel trims and etc. Thank you

[@carltonlane8931]

Thanks for video.

[@jpack61108]

There’s always at least 1 hater.. I don’t get it. Good stuff as per usual.

[@davidnull5590]

This time the hater left a comment, see the whole comment for the really stupid reason. This is just part of their comment. Gee Sss Gee Sss 4 minutes ago I left you a negative feedback whatever those things

[@tiredagain6722]

You're back....

[@andrewwmacfadyen6958]

The Uscope is a handy tool for tight spots, even you have other scopes, also ideal as a starter scope or don't want to get heavily into scopes and just want something simple

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

Thanks for the video

[@3.6pentastardude81]

Great video

[@crisprtalk6963]

Short N Sweet!

[@Garth2011]

Nice tool for measuring the power coming from the controller. Completely saves much time and guessing with the exception of ruling out the blower motor for integrity. In my 50+ years of being around cars, it's usually the resistor that goes bad. They get a lot of usage since the auto industry invented "flow through ventilation" and automatic heat/cooling systems.

[@mikecont9742]

Great video...

[@onenikkione]

Our compressor was diagnosed with winding that are out of spec and are going out. also the blower motor & condenser motor seals are slightly leaking. $12,000 for a new 5 ton Home Furnace and A/C. I used to live where there was a Fall season, it's still in the 100's where I live now. I will miss Fall and late Spring.

[@salvadorgutierrezr5914]

Thanks for teaching🙏👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍✌👋

[@martinarrieta248]

Grasias por el video

[@fire7765]

Good job

[@SAggyPingas]

Eric you should do a video on what your favorite cordless tool brands are. Dewalt vs Milwaukee etc.

[@robertv8851]

Thanks eric

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Nice simple diag @SouthMainAutoRepairLLC

[@ThePerchydog420]

Let’s say in a perfect world with everything operating correctly, if you were to turn the ignition on, turn the blower motor on and plug your load tester (bulb) into the two wires going into the blower, would it light up? Just a little confused on the power going into the motor and power coming out. Thanks for creating such awesome content by the way. Huge fan.

[@andrewleets4015]

I once had a similar issue on a 06 Murano where the blower would take 2 minutes to turn on after starting the car. It took half a day to diagnose because it was a faulty relay mounted on the back of a fuse block. The relay is not shown in the wiring diagram and the only way I found it is because when I reached for and grabbed the fuse block it would cause the blower to turn on.

[@mikechiodetti4482]

Ya, definitely check the blower motor for high current. Before electronic blower motor controls, when I found a blower motor pulling down 19 to 22 amps, thats a little high. SOMETIMES, removing the blower and using an compresses air to clean out the motor would lower the current consumption and prolong the motor's life. but inevitably, the motor had to be changed.

[@williegillie5712]

Those fan resistor blocks tend to burn out quite often. Now in these newer cars they are controlled by the computer via a module. They are however still having bad connections and burnt wiring. I guess the guy should be happy he doesn’t have a TIPM. Could get spendy if the module for the fan burnt out in one of those vehicles

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Good video Eric O @SouthMainAutoRepairLLC

[@BrianB14471]

The motor control is likely a N-MOSFET that is pulsed to provide a ground.

[@BrianB14471]

I'd imagine there is likely a back-biased diode in there as well to clamp the inductive spikes at turn off. If that goes, the mosfet isn't long for the world.

[@alexispieltin9379]

It's important to survey the motor inrush current, bad brushes or simply bad second market motors simply need too high currents to start when cold, particularly in low speed, so a so called resistor block can get into trouble and into protection. On the other hand, shock starting can also indicates bad circuitry inside this command block, typically bad solders, with the same effect. It can also indicates a dying transistor or broken PCB, something easy to solve with time and knowledge "cuba style", or simply replace with OEM part... Note these blowers motors have the typical vertical configuration, contact brushes down, so if dirt and humidity get stuck there, life expectancy is highly reduced. Here also, replacement is easier than stripping parts out plastic encasing, but a direct high pressure air flow can sometimes do the trick and remove most of the dirt if brushes are still good and free in guides, and rotor turning free. So unmounting this motor for cleaning and checking currents is also an interesting option.

[@spelunkerd]

Can you point me in the direction of a more advanced seminar discussing these new style 'resistors'? I've already watched the Wells video. I was under the mistaken impression the PWM signal was sent directly to the motor....

[@RobertKohut]

Nice!!

[@cory8791]

Shouldn’t you be hunting! Great vid!!! You never post on your outdoor channel no more!!!!

[@jmrhvac4542]

What brand razor knife do you use love all the videos

[@Yawwee]

No wonder there are so many cabinets, drawers, and cuby holes at SMA.....have to have somewhere to put ALL them test equipments !!!!!

[@gregoryharmon2348]

Ahhh...the blower motor resistor. Ford (and others) placed the resistor pack in the air duct to "cool" it. Chipmunks packed the duct full of acorns that were roasted and ignited by the resistor coils. The blower provided plenty of air for the fire with much smoke coming out of the dash vents. Kinda reminded me of an old Cheech & Chong movie.🤣

[@douglasjreynolds]

I had that problem in my F250. Mouse nest smells great when heated with a blower motor resistor!

[@sciatl2505]

Looking like same one tried a new blower if you notice the blower was a aftermarket by VDO not oem

[@KenLyns]

The OEM blower may have failed previously for other reasons (chirping, cracked fan wheel).

[@Qusin111]

probably the missing video of replacing the blower motor ;) oops, it was the driver

[@mharradine57]

VDO is the OEM on these.

[@brianglade848]

Hi Erkie.....ever use the old scan tool the Claxon 55..... was awesome in 1975

[@drfalcon4102]

been down that road,, I used a test light and a volt meter,, but hey,, I like your way,, doubt ill ever do one again,, wait,, I own a Nissan,, LOL

[@zx8401ztv]

Maybe bad solder joint on the mosfet pwm driver module. Vibration creates micro cracks around the solder.

[@ronniecardy]

Solved a problem on this car again yeaaaa

[@ONeal397]

Sorry I'm late happy birthday

[@SmittySmithsonite]

I need one of those badly! Been talking about it for over 2 years now. It's like there's this force that's keeping my tool purchases at bay. Right when I'm ready to make a big leap, something fails and costs me a pile of money. Last year it was my air compressor, and the Silverado's differential. This time it's the 2-speed 4L60E, with just 103k on the clock. Lost 3rd and 4th the other weekend!! Biggest toilet I've ever owned, and the most expensive one at that! GM SUCKS!! :( Great stuff BTW - I had forgotten about the test light lighting on ground with a good motor. 👍🍻

[@billyyoder8171]

Thank you Dr. O. So the question is on control operation.? Does blower motor control module (resistor, but really not a resistor) supply a signal reference voltage to the AC Amp Control Module, and this signal is pulled down to 0 VDC to signal off position. Then when speed switch is selected, the AC Amp Control Module toggles this signal off of ground at varying PWM to signal the Blower Motor Control Module to the desired speed? Or, does the Blower Motor Control Module not supply a signal reference voltage to the AC Amp Control Module, then the AC Amp Control Module only sends the PWM signal to the Blower Motor Control Module? Reason I ask, if you were to unplug the Blower Motor Control Module and test the signal wire for voltage and PWM signal, would it read 0 VDC in the off position and a PWM signal in the other speed selections?

[@TreyCook21]

I wonder what Penelope Cruz is doing today? Edit: I never know what I'm looking for even with the wiring diagram. But I'm still learning.

[@danpayne3880]

Yes Vise Grip Garage flash back.

[@Dave-ty2qp]

Penelope Cruz is probably brushing up on her Spanglish. I doubt she if could read a wiring schematic.

[@TreyCook21]

@@Dave-ty2qp She'd be a great asset to any shop though.

[@jamescostello6529]

@@Dave-ty2qp She doesn't need to. Hubba-Hubba.

[@Dave-ty2qp]

@@TreyCook21 Gotta agree with you and James Costello. LOL

[@mr.nobody4900]

A +

[@boboften9952]

? Electronic Tester Put Into Coffee Beans ...... To Find A Good Ground .

[@wallingj68]

Waiter! This coffee tastes like dirt! Well, it was ground this morning.

[@carlosmoreira779]

43. Yay new video! WWID?

[@TheGb50]

I had the same thing happen with my Nissan quest to much current from the blower motor