A blender motor is the heart of your blender, powering the blades that chop, grind, and liquefy ingredients into delicious smoothies, nut butter, soups, and more. Over time, constant use can wear out the motor’s bearings and bushings. Or you may accidentally overload the motor if you blend especially thick or dense ingredients. When the motor stops working properly, it’s time for a replacement.
Replacing a burnt-out or broken blender motor is often much more economical than buying a whole new machine. And the good news is, it doesn’t require advanced technical skills. This guide will walk you through the entire motor replacement process in just 5 key steps:
- Gather necessary tools and new motor
- Disassemble the base of the blender
- Remove the old motor
- Install the new motor
- Reassemble the base
Follow along below for detailed instructions on each step. With a bit of care and patience, you’ll have your trusty blender humming again in no time!
Step 1: Gather the Necessary Tools and Parts
Before getting started, you’ll want to ensure you have all of the necessary tools, parts, and workspace setup:
Tools
- Screwdrivers (both flathead and Phillips head recommended)
- Needlenose pliers
- Wire cutters (for trimming motor wires if necessary)
- Soldering iron (only if re-soldering wires)
Parts
- New replacement blender motor (make sure voltage and wattage match original motor specs)
Workspace
- Clear, flat surface for disassembly
- Container for organizing small parts and screws
- Well-lit area for seeing small connections
Once you have everything gathered, you’re ready to move on to disassembly.
Step 2: Disassembling the Blender
To access the motor, you’ll need to fully disassemble the base:
- Unplug the blender from the electrical outlet for safety. Don’t skip this crucial first step!
- Remove any containers, blades, or other attachments on top of the motor base.
- Flip the base unit upside down to access screws on the bottom. You may want to set it on a folded towel to avoid scratching the surface.
- Use a screwdriver to remove all screws from the bottom of the base. Some models may have as many as 10-12 screws of varying sizes securing the case, so be thorough. As you remove screws, immediately place them into your small parts container to keep them organized.
- Separate the plastic case halves of the motor base housing by gently prying them apart with a flathead screwdriver. Lift the top half off and set it aside.
- Cut any plastic wire ties bundling the motor wires inside the base, making note of wire routing for reassembly.
The motor should now be fully accessible with the base disassembled. Time to remove it.
Step 3: Removing the Old Motor
With the base housing removed, you can now detach and lift out the worn-out motor:
- Label each motor wire with masking tape noting where it connects—often red to red, black to black. If colors aren’t clear, make a simple diagram noting connections.
- Disconnect all motor wiring connectors. Depending on model, you may need to unscrew spade connectors or simply pull plugs from sockets.
- Unscrew any mounting nuts or bolts securing the motor in place on the base. There may be as few as two or as many as four mounts. Use pliers if necessary.
- Carefully lift out the old motor unit. Compare it side-by-side with your new replacement motor to ensure they match up.
With the worn motor removed, it’s now time to install your new replacement.
Step 4: Installing the New Motor
Follow these steps to securely mount your new blender motor into position:
- Align the new motor in the exact same position as the old one, matching any mounting holes to the base. Double-check that any connector wiring is also aligned the same.
- Insert and loosely tighten any mounting screws/bolts. Don’t fully tighten yet—you want wiggle room for adjustments.
- Reconnect all motor wiring, following any labels or diagrams you made earlier. Ensure connections are secure.
- Neatly bundle up excess wiring with zip ties or twist ties so it doesn’t obstruct moving parts.
- Test-start the new motor by briefly plugging in the blender (with no jar attached) to confirm proper operation before final reassembly. All wiring should also be triple-checked before testing.
With the new replacement motor installed and operational, it’s time for the final step—closing up the base housing.
Step 5: Reassembling the Blender Base
The final step is simple reassembly by reversing the disassembly process:
- Align the top and bottom base housing pieces. Make sure no wires are pinched in between.
- Insert and securely tighten all housing screws using your screwdriver. Refer to any labels/bags to ensure each size screw goes back into its original spot.
- Reattach the blender jar or other attachments onto the motor base, ensuring proper alignment.
- Confirm all hardware is securely fastened and no wires are exposed or dangling.
- Plug blender power cord into outlet and perform final test run. Listen for any odd sounds that may indicate a wiring or installation issue.
With that, your blender has a brand new motor installed and is ready to resume making perfect smoothies and nut butters once more! Taking the time to properly replace the worn-out motor saves you money and reduces environmental waste.
Also Read: Blender Safety Tips and Best Practices
Conclusion
While opening up an electrical appliance can seem intimidating, replacing an aging blender motor is actually quite straightforward with some basic tools and these key steps. The hardest part is just getting the housing disassembled to access the motor—reassembly is simply reversing the process.
Carefully labeling wires, securing the new motor properly aligned, and triple checking all screw placements prevents most common issues. Refer closely to diagrams and your blender manual if anything is unclear.
With a bit of care and patience replacing blender motors yourself, you’ll save money and extend the life of your blender for years to come. Here’s to many more refreshing smoothies ahead!