A Broan upgrade kit is a must-have for your home, as it helps in replacing a filthy, non-functioning, or loud fan. A complete Broan upgrade kit comes with the fan and grille.

Changing your fan and grill is an easy task. It will take you a few minutes to freshen up your bathroom interior and air with a new grille.

How to Replace a Broan Bathroom Fan Motor

Is your bathroom fan buzzing or failing to run completely? It is time to replace your fan motor. In some houses, fans are small devices that can be removed and disconnected easily without any electrical work. Going through this quick removal guide, you can check what’s wrong with your fan and if there is a need for replacement.

Tools and Materials

• Adjustable wrench
• Drill bit set
• Pry bar
• Caulk gun
• Trouble light
• Aluminum duct
• Utility knife
• Roofing nails
• 6-inch hose clamps
• Roof vent cap
• Sheet metal screws

Step 1: Removing the Old Bathroom Fan

1. Put on safety glasses to protect your eyes, and turn off the circuit breaker that powers your fan. This job will not subject you to contact with live wires, but switching off the fan at the circuit breaker will make it safe in case of any faulty wiring. If you cannot locate the circuit breaker, switch off the power to your fan.
   
   
2. In case you require a ladder to reach the fan, ensure that the ladder is strong and stable enough before you climb.
   
   
3. Get rid of the grille cover of the fan. If you can disconnect the grille with a pull, ensure you remove it gently. Reach around the flexible metal rods, squeeze them to detach them from their holes, and free the grille. If not, check for the screws holding the grill in place. These screws might be hidden under the grille and can be accessed through the vent slots. 
   
   If the fan and lighting fixtures are combined, let the bulb cool and remove the bulb to gain access to the screw nut holding the entire motor in place.
   
   
4. Disconnect the power cord on the fan housing. The power cord and outlet are seen in most bathroom fans when you remove the grille. It looks like a normal electrical cable or a few wires connected to a plastic clip. Whichever way, pull it out to detach the fan from the power supply. 
   
   If you cannot access the wire on your unit, this may put you in contact with your wall wiring. In such a case, it is important to turn off the power at the circuit breaker, not only the bathroom switch.
   
   
5. Disconnect the mounting bracket if there is any. It is a bit easy if the fan and motor are joined together behind metal brackets connected to the housing. As such, you should unscrew the bracket on the sides of the housing. Then, pull out the bracket housing the impeller and fan motor.
   
   
6. Remove the whole plate where the bathroom fan sits. If your fan has a high output, you should see one large plastic unit supported by several screws. Remove these screws, then the entire feature from the housing. If there is no clear technique to access the motor, check the model and order a replacement for the entire unit.
   
   
7. Remove the screws holding the plate in place to locate the tabs holding your unit. Pry out these metal tabs with a flathead screwdriver. Then, pull out the whole plate with the motor and fan blades attached.

Step 2: Test the Fan

1. Wipe the fan blades and the grille. If the fan was making a lot of noise or not supplying sufficient air, it might have some dust accumulation and needs to be cleaned. You can clean using compressed air or the brush attached to your vacuum cleaner—dust off the grill vents using soapy water.
   
   
2. Test the motion of the fan blades by rotating them or the blower with your finger. Occasionally, you can fix your fan by lubricating a stuck piece, removing small pieces of debris, or remounting it if it is not aligned on the motor shaft.
   
   However, this may not fix your problem, but it is important to know. If the fan blades are broken or bent, you should replace them with the motor.
   
   
3. Tighten all the screws to stop noises. If the issue was noise, there is no need for a new motor. Check all the screws and bolts on the fan and motor unit, the housing, and the grille cover. Tighten all of them and switch on the fan to see if the noise has reduced.
   
   If your unit has been installed using nails, replace them with screws. Nails can loosen due to vibrations and increase the noise.
   
   If your fan is connected to a normal power cable, check if the noise has stopped by plugging it into the wall socket.

Step 3: Installing a New Motor

1. Check the model number of your motor and order a replacement. The motor must have a model number stamped or printed on it. Use this number to request a replacement part if you need a new motor, and the other parts of the fan work well. If you can’t get the part online, take the motor unit and housing into a hardware store for advice.
   
   Most models have the motor connected to the shaft that rotates the fan blower, with wires protruding out the back or side. If you don’t locate the product code, try to pull the blower from the shaft to see more of the motor.
   
   If the plastic or metal housing around the unit is worn out, replace the whole unit. In such a case, check for the product information printed on the plastic cover around the motor/fan assembly or metal plate that the motor rests on.
   
   
2. Check out the specifications for noise level or airflow. If you think your old model is making a lot of noise or is very weak even with a working motor, find its product specifications online using the model number. Then look for a new motor compatible with your old housing online or at home improvement stores.
   
   
3. Connect the new motor onto your fan unit. Once you have fixed the new motor, slip the blower onto the shaft and connect the motor to the fan housing by replacing any screws or brackets used with the old motor. If the motor is attached to an ordinary power cable, plug it into the power socket and check if it’s working. If you hear some buzzing or rattling or the blower is shaking, unplug it and confirm if all pieces and screws are tightly together.
   
   
4. Reassemble the fan unit in your bathroom. If you had removed the fan housing from the ceiling, fix it back into the vent. If tabs support the plate, lift one side to insert the metal tab into its position. Push up the other side of the plate until the entire thing clicks into its position.
   
   Insert all screws to hold the plate to its housing. Connect the power cable back. Pinch the metal rods together into their slots to fix back the grille cover or tighten all the screws that hold it in place.
   
   Once you are done with the installation, turn on the power and check if the fan is running smoothly.

Broan is the leader in residential ventilation products, customized climate, and indoor air quality solutions. Find more Broan products here!

Robert Syengo is an experienced web writer with a home improvement history that includes toilet remodeling and appliance installation. He enjoys writing and learning about electronics, gardens, design, remodeling and repair.