Searched all the forums and couldn't find anything that described what's going on with my 3rd Gen. Doesn't happen all the time, but there's a weird noise coming from the under the dashboard somewhere. It sounds like a small motor that whirls, stops, and changes direction. I thought it was the power antenna motor, but it's not. I also played with the AC controls and it didn't seem to make a difference. Any advise at all would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Is it a Limited? If so it's probably the recirc door for the climate control.
Turn the key on with the engine off and push the recirc button and see
it it's the noise you hear.

What year is the 4Runner? If it's an 01-02 and it makes the noise when starting the truck or after pressing the brake pedal 5-6 times, it's probably the brake booster pump motor which is mounted to the underside of the brake master cylinder and replaces the vacuum system used in earlier models.

I have a limited. There was click and grinding sounds coming from underneath my glove box. Had to replace the recirc door. It was easy but the part was around $250!

sounds a lot like my ABS but mine is older

Sorry, it's a 2001 SR5 2WD (I know, but I'm not going off-roading)

@Makitso - It's not a Limited, so the climate control isn't digital, but it is electronic. And the sounds definitely mimics a lot of those noises. Could be the problem, but it's difficult to diagnose since pushing the button on and off doesn't necessarily cause the sound. It kind of just does it on it's own.

@rightyouareken - Thank you. It is a 2001, so I pumped the brake a few times and heard the brake booster pump you're referring to. Very distinctive sound, but not my issue.

@Myjar89 - I think it might be the problem, but did your recirc work? Because mine seems to. I have a different airflow when I press it. And it doesn't seem to affect the sounds immediately. I can absolutely imagine a recirc door getting stuck when I hear the sound, but I also feel like I would be able to recreate it on command when pushing the button. Thoughts? Also, I live fairly close to a junkyard, so I can probably pull another door if it's the problem. The real question is how do you get to it?

Everything worked on mine, except for the heat. It was sometimes hard to recreate the noise for me, seemed to have a mind of its own. It is located under the glovebox, left side, about where the center console and glovebox meet. 3 screws and a wire harness keep it in place.

I have a similar problem, the heat doesn’t work and there’s a clicking and buzzing noise coming from under the dash near the center console. When I turn the AC to cool all the weird noises stop. Is this a recirc door issue?

If your heat isn't working then it is likely the blend door (temp door) actuator