[007Tacoma]

Truck: 2003 4Runner Sport Edition V6 w/ 4WD and XREAS

Background: I have heard this noise a couple of times and thought it sounds like a pump or a leaf stuck in the fan of the HVAC system. It happened once or twice right after I bought the vehicle (used at 118K) last year. As of this post we have almost 140K on it and today the noise reoccurred - this time with my wife in the car.

The Noise: The noise appears to be originating from the area where the center console meets the dash or just under that area on the passenger side. It sounds like a tick of a fuel pump or leaf stuck in a fan, but when you turn off the fan it does not change. It does not matter if you are at a dead stop (when you usually hear it), or cruising at 70 MPH down the interstate. Here is the worst part though - it is completely random, slowly changes frequency, goes away, comes back, and has no seeming relation to anything that I can manipulate from behind the steering wheel (gas pedal, steering, wipers, HVAC fan controls, pressing on panels, etc...).

So, today my wife heard it, and it made her nervous. So, I told her I would do some searching on here... I didn't find anything that seems even close to what I am talking about. I have become an expert at taking the dash apart. I have tried to find the noise. This is impossible when it can be months between when it shows up. I have also had everything apart a few months ago when I installed a new stereo. I have come up with no reason for the noise.

Any ideas?

[kosan]

Originally Posted by 007Tacoma

The Noise: The noise appears to be originating from the area where the center console meets the dash or just under that area on the passenger side. It sounds like a tick of a fuel pump or leaf stuck in a fan, but when you turn off the fan it does not change. It does not matter if you are at a dead stop (when you usually hear it), or cruising at 70 MPH down the interstate. Here is the worst part though - it is completely random, slowly changes frequency, goes away, comes back, and has no seeming relation to anything that I can manipulate from behind the steering wheel (gas pedal, steering, wipers, HVAC fan controls, pressing on panels, etc...).

I had a similar experience today. When cruising on the highway to work, I heard this clattering sound, as if a bundle of wires were loose clapping away. I let go of the gas pedal and it stopped. I press the gas pedal and it clapped around again.

When I drove home from work, the sound didn't appear again. I just replaced the HVAC system 2 days ago so if it appears again, I'll be taking it back to the shop again. It looks as if they took the center console out as my papers were kinda shuffled around.

[007Tacoma]

Originally Posted by kosan

I had a similar experience today. When cruising on the highway to work, I heard this clattering sound, as if a bundle of wires were loose clapping away. I let go of the gas pedal and it stopped. I press the gas pedal and it clapped around again.

When I drove home from work, the sound didn't appear again. I just replaced the HVAC system 2 days ago so if it appears again, I'll be taking it back to the shop again. It looks as if they took the center console out as my papers were kinda shuffled around.

There is nothing that I can do to make this one go away except shut off the vehicle. most of the time it goes away within a minute or two.

[kosan]

Originally Posted by 007Tacoma

There is nothing that I can do to make this one go away except shut off the vehicle. most of the time it goes away within a minute or two.

Since I last posted, I've had no issues - still monitoring. But yes, my sound appeared about 10 seconds and went away.

[007Tacoma]

Originally Posted by kosan

Since I last posted, I've had no issues - still monitoring. But yes, my sound appeared about 10 seconds and went away.

Same here. The sound has not returned in several weeks. Now I know how the dealer techs feel... I am starting to question if I really heard it myself.

[berettashot117]

haha I have it too. I tracked it down and it's coming from the cabin air intake fan (correct term?). anyways here's a pic

I honestly think its just some debris that is lodged somewhere, and every once in a while it gets moved to where the fan hits it for a few minutes. but then it goes away. so I'm not too worried about it, but I'll have a tech check it out next time I go in for service and see if they can't pull out the debris.

[justwoody1]

If it sounds like a pump it may also be a bad servo motor. There are three on that side and one on the driver side. I would try unplugging the bottom one on the passenger side, just remove that plastic cover under the glove box and you should see the plug. That one control the air mix for auto climate.




[IMG]~original[/IMG]

[007Tacoma]

Originally Posted by justwoody1

If it sounds like a pump it may also be a bad servo motor. There are three on that side and one on the driver side. I would try unplugging the bottom one on the passenger side, just remove that plastic cover under the glove box and you should see the plug. That one control the air mix for auto climate.

The problem right now is that it isn't making the noise. So, now I wait...

[007Tacoma]

I can't seem to get this problem to duplicate long enough to be able to trouble shoot it. So, I have learned to just live with it. Past 15,000 miles have seen it happen a handful of times. It is usually gone within a minute or two.

...sorry to dig up an old thread of mine, but I haven't been online over the past few months.

[tn.j]

I have had my 2004 4Runner since it was new. I only have 90,900 miles on it and for a 11 year old vehicle that is low mileage. Last summer I heard the clicking noise in the passenger side dash for the first time. It is random, and does not last long enough for the service department to hear it. During the winter I did not hear it...however this spring it came back. Does not seem to cause any problems except annoying the crap out of me.

[B777jet]

Originally Posted by 007Tacoma

Truck: 2003 4Runner Sport Edition V6 w/ 4WD and XREAS

Background: I have heard this noise a couple of times and thought it sounds like a pump or a leaf stuck in the fan of the HVAC system. It happened once or twice right after I bought the vehicle (used at 118K) last year. As of this post we have almost 140K on it and today the noise reoccurred - this time with my wife in the car.

The Noise: The noise appears to be originating from the area where the center console meets the dash or just under that area on the passenger side. It sounds like a tick of a fuel pump or leaf stuck in a fan, but when you turn off the fan it does not change. It does not matter if you are at a dead stop (when you usually hear it), or cruising at 70 MPH down the interstate. Here is the worst part though - it is completely random, slowly changes frequency, goes away, comes back, and has no seeming relation to anything that I can manipulate from behind the steering wheel (gas pedal, steering, wipers, HVAC fan controls, pressing on panels, etc...).

So, today my wife heard it, and it made her nervous. So, I told her I would do some searching on here... I didn't find anything that seems even close to what I am talking about. I have become an expert at taking the dash apart. I have tried to find the noise. This is impossible when it can be months between when it shows up. I have also had everything apart a few months ago when I installed a new stereo. I have come up with no reason for the noise.

Any ideas?

007... I have this identical issue with my recently purchased '05. The sound is present even when the blower motor is turned off. Did you ever find an answer? TIA

[jamesewells]

Air mix servo?

[TowelThief]

Originally Posted by jamesewells

air mix servo?

this.

[B777jet]

Originally Posted by jamesewells

Air mix servo?

Thank you. The noise has a constant rhythm, as if something was touching a fan blade. This is peculiar since there is no fan running. I'll check the servo motor.

[007Tacoma]

Originally Posted by B777jet

007... I have this identical issue with my recently purchased '05. The sound is present even when the blower motor is turned off. Did you ever find an answer? TIA

I never did find the cause, but I found one solution...

...I traded up to a 2015.