If your furnace isn't turning on, it can cause the temperature to drop significantly in your home. However, what do you do if your furnace clicks, but the blower won't turn on? We have done the research to help troubleshoot this issue below.
If your furnace clicks but the blower won't turn on, it could be due to the following:
- Worn Bearings in Inducer Blower
- Clogged Fan Shafts
- Failed Blower Motor
- Bad Capacitor
- Clogged Furnace Filter
- Faulty Thermocouple Flame Sensor
- Faulty or Clogged Pilot Light
- Clogged Vents
- Bad Spark Igniter
- Clogged Gas Valve
- Gas Leak
- Faulty Gas Meter Control
- Malfunctioning Thermostat
- Blown Fuse
If your furnace isn't turning on properly, then it is a problem that needs to be addressed right away. However, it can be tough to pinpoint the culprit on your own.
That's why in this article, we take a look at the functions of each of these furnace components and why they could cause a clicking noise, but the blower won't start. In addition, we will discuss how to reset a furnace blower motor, so read on!
Reasons Why A Furnace Blower Won't Start
A furnace blower is responsible for pushing heated air out of your furnace and into your home. Without a working blower, the furnace can't do its job, and you'll start to experience colder temperatures in your home. In some cases, you may even see an increase in your energy bills.
If your furnace is clicking, but the blower isn't turning on, there are a few possible causes. In this article, we'll look at some of the most common reasons why this might be happening and what to watch for.
Worn Bearings in Inducer Blower
A blower that makes a clicking noise but won't start could result from worn bearings in the inducer blower. Inducer motors are located near your furnace's blower, and this part is responsible for starting the fan blades moving at high speeds.
Clogged Fan Shafts
If the fan shafts in your furnace are clogged, it can cause the inducer blower to overheat. This will cause the clicking noise, and the blower won't start because it will be too hot to turn on.
Failed Blower Motor
If the blower motor in your furnace has failed, it will cause the same symptoms as a clogged fan shaft. The blower motor is responsible for providing power to the fan blades, and if it's not working, the blades won't turn.
Bad Capacitor
If the capacitor in your furnace is bad, it will cause the blower to start making a clicking noise. A capacitor is responsible for storing energy and releasing it in short bursts. Therefore, it can't provide the power to start the blower motor when it fails.
Clogged Furnace Filter
If your furnace filter is clogged, it will prevent heated air from entering your home. This will cause the furnace to click, and the blower won't start because there's not enough air pressure to push it through.
Faulty Thermocouple Flame Sensor
If your furnace's thermocouple flame sensor is faulty, it can cause the furnace to make a clicking noise before the blower turns on. This will send power to the switch, but there won't be enough heat for the blower to turn on because of the problem with the flame sensor.
Faulty or Clogged Pilot Light
If your furnace's pilot light is clogged or faulty, it can be the culprit of this problem. A clogged pilot light will prevent the gas from igniting, and a faulty pilot light will keep the flame from staying lit.
Clogged Vents
A clogged vent will cause your furnace to click, but the blower won't start because you're not getting enough airflow. Before checking anything else, clean out your vents.
Bad Spark Igniter
If the spark igniter in your furnace is bad, it will cause the blower to start clicking before it turns on. The spark igniter creates a spark that lights the gas and starts the furnace working. If it's not working correctly, the furnace won't start.
Clogged Gas Valve
If your furnace's gas valve is clogged, the blower will still start clicking before it switches on. To find out if this is the issue, turn off your breaker and shut off the gas supply to your furnace. Next, remove the valve cover and use an object like a pen or pencil to clear any debris you see.
Gas Leak
If there's a gas leak in your furnace, the clicking noise will continue, and the blower won't turn on. This is because gas is leaking into your home, and you must shut off the gas supply to your furnace and call a professional immediately.
Faulty Gas Meter Control
If the gas meter control in your furnace is faulty, it will cause the blower to start clicking before it turns on. This part is responsible for measuring the amount of gas going into your furnace, and if it's not working correctly, the furnace won't start.
Malfunctioning Thermostat
If your furnace's thermostat is malfunctioning, again, the blower would click prior to being switched on. As this part tells the furnace when to turn on and off, it will cause the furnace not to start if it's not working properly.
Blown Fuse
A blown fuse that connects to your power supply could cause this issue. Go inside your furnace or wherever the fuse box is located and check if all fuses are still working correctly.
What Does it Mean When your Furnace is Clicking?
If your furnace is clicking, it means that it's not turning on. Several different problems could be causing this. You can try to troubleshoot this issue yourself by going through the furnace parts list above.
However, if you feel like it is beyond your furnace knowledge, you should contact an HVAC professional to inspect your HVAC system.
How Do you Reset a Furnace Blower Motor?
If your furnace blower isn't turning on, it is a good idea to try and reset it. To reset your furnace blower, follow these steps:
- The first thing you will have to do is turn off the furnace breaker.
- Next, take off the blower cover to access the blower compartment.
- Next, you will need to find the blower reset button, which is usually on the back or side of the blower itself.
- Finally, press the reset button and put the blower cover back on.
Suppose this solves your problem, then great! However, if it doesn't, you may have something else with your furnace blower.
How Do I Know if my Furnace Blower Motor is Bad?
If your blower motor isn't turning on then, it could be bad and need to be replaced. But how do you know that the blower motor is bad? If you notice these tell-tale signs, then it may be time for a blower motor replacement:
Higher than Normal Electrical Bills
If you have been living in your home for more than one season, then you will have a good idea of your average electrical bills. If you notice that your electrical bill is abnormally higher than usual, it could be a sign that the blower motor is bad.
Weird or Burnt Smells from the Furnace
If your furnace is starting to smell weird, like it's burning, then that's another sign the blower motor needs to be replaced. The smell could be coming through the vents, which means the blower motor is overheating.
Low or No Airflow from Vents
If your home is losing a lot of air through the vents, it could be due to a bad blower motor. If you have dirty filters and nothing seems to be plugged up, then this may indicate that your furnace blower motor is failing.
Strange Noises when Furnace Turns On or Off
If you hear strange sounds coming from the blower (i.e., squealing, squeaking, grinding noise, clanking, rattling), then it could be a bad sign that your blower motor needs to be replaced. On the other hand, it could be due to bad belts or damaged parts internally.
What happens when your blower motor goes out?
If your blower motor goes out, it will cause your furnace to stop working. Not only will this affect your home's temperature, but it can also be a safety hazard.
Furnaces are designed to blow heated air throughout the home to maintain a comfortable temperature. If the furnace isn't blowing any air, then there is a chance that your furnace will overheat and cause a fire.
How Much does it Cost to Replace a Furnace Blower Motor?
The cost to replace a furnace blower motor can vary depending on the type of blower motor and the size. For example, you can expect to pay $400 for the replacement on average. However, high-performing furnace blowers can be as much as $2,000 to replace.
Final Thoughts
If your furnace blower isn't turning on, it is crucial to take some steps to try and reset it. If that doesn't work, you may have something else going on with your furnace blower, and it is time to call in an HVAC professional.
For more articles like this one, check out these posts:
Furnace Won’t Turn On After Summer – What Could Be Wrong?