Tell difference between blower motor and control module problem?

Hello. 2009 Prius with 277k on it. Hate to think about replacing it, but I guess I need to acknowledge it's had a good long life.

Fan for the heat just died yesterday. From OK, to weak, to just about nothing. Can still tell warm air trying to come out of vents. Can hear motor trying to blow - when I turn it off, the hum goes away.

I've read threads here and know it could be the motor/fan device itself or a controller unit beyond that.

*** Is the fact that it "tries" to blow able to tell me which part I would need? *** It is Minnesota and time is kind of important if I want to drive safely for a few more weeks yet. Don't want to waste time getting parts shipped if I know which one will do the trick.

ALSO - I've seen threads where a cheap replacement part has died soon after install. I am on a budget but don't want the issue to resurface. I find the part at OReilly's for $110 or a variety on Amazon and eBay for half that ($40 and up). An old thread with links to parts that worked - of course the links are broken now years later. Any tried and true sellers?

THANK YOU.

 

There is little to no change when I pick different vent options. I've had it mostly on the windshield for much of the Winter. That has easily kept me warm enough even on long trips, with an occasional switch to the floor vent.

When I select the main dashboard vents, they get warm to the touch with a whisper of warm air but there's not any air coming out of them really. Not comprehensive test but when I switch back to windshield the dash vents cool down and whisper of air goes away. No vent position yields full fan at all. Or any fan for that matter.

0 difference between low fan speed and high fan speed.

 

will check tomorrow.

and check cabin filter. I do have chipmunks.

 

I do need a new cabin filter, but removing it does not change the behavior of the fan.

Some kind of motor hum starts in any faimposition and stops when OFF. It seems to switch appropriately between fresh air and resurculated if the windshield position is engaged. At least on the display and maybe per my imagined temperature feel.

 

$40 Amazon blower motor used to replace. Problem solved.