Air Conditioner Blower Issues

[mbumpus11]

Alright, I've done a bit of research, but haven't found anything that addresses what I'm about to explain. All I could find were threads about the AC blowing warm on one side and not the other, compressors failing, etc. Mine is different, and the best way I can describe it is basically when you're watching a TV show, don't change the volume with the remote, and your TV volume on a commercial goes from 12 up to 25, and then back to 12 again without you moving a finger....with that in mind, please read below.

Not too long ago (maybe a month or two) I was driving down the road, I had turned my AC up because I was warm, and I felt the beautiful cold air blowing on my face at full force. After a moment, I cooled down, and cut the fan speed down to about 1/3 speed.

Later in the drive, I hadn't touched the fan speed dial, but moved it up one notch, and nothing changed. I moved it up a second notch...nothing changed. The blower speed wasn't responding to my dial inputs. I shook it off, got to my destination, and when I started the truck back up it was operating fine.

Fast forward to this weekend. I'm sitting in idle, fan blower is going, and my fiancee was with me (important, as I thought maybe I had imagined all of these issues before). As we idled at a red light, the blower kind of blew like I had turned it up two notches, then dropped back down. Then came on very strong(!!), then fan speed dropped back down. She goes, "why is it doing that? Were you messing with it?" I wasn't.

The point of all of this is that I have tried to get a video and tried to record the fan speed by recording the audio/sound of the wind blowing by my phone, but it just doesn't do it justice.

Has anyone had this issue? I hope it isn't my AC going out, but the air is plenty cold, and it isn't running humid or anything. Just the weird blower/ fan speed behavior.

 

[mo_mo]

Has anyone had this issue? I hope it isn't my AC going out, but the air is plenty cold, and it isn't running humid or anything. Just the weird blower/ fan speed behavior.

I have not had the issue, but I recommend finding the TIS / Toyota Technical Information System (repair manual / RM) for the vehicle (2010+, manual HVAC control systems).

Sounds like a ground / switch issue more than "AC going out", but you'll have to troubleshoot the electrical gremlin.

Good luck!

 

[Salvo]

I’ve had this happen twice in my previous 14 TE. Both times I had to replace the blower motor. First I would experience fan speed fluctuation, then a whining from the blower motor, then it would just stop working at some point. Obviously, your situation could be different.

 

[mbumpus11]

I’ve had this happen twice in my previous 14 TE. Both times I had to replace the blower motor. First I would experience fan speed fluctuation, then a whining from the blower motor, then it would just stop working at some point. Obviously, your situation could be different.

Hmm...dang it. I'm hopeful I won't have to do this. Your description is very similar to what I feel like I'm experiencing. I haven't heard a whine yet, but the fan speed "fluctuation" is the word I was searching for in my initial post. I am certainly experiencing fan speed fluctuation.
[MENTION=112919]Salvo[/MENTION] - what did that blower motor run you, and did you have to take it into the shop? Hopefully it isn't too far internal (in the event it goes out) so that I can replace it myself...

Will keep checking and keep everyone updated!

 

[Humble Leader]

I’ve had this happen twice in my previous 14 TE. Both times I had to replace the blower motor. First I would experience fan speed fluctuation, then a whining from the blower motor, then it would just stop working at some point. Obviously, your situation could be different.

had a similar whine with my blower motor. it seemed to progressively be getting worse these last few months. replaced it and no more whine and the air flow is a tad better than before. this is not a hard DIY

my blower motor cost about $280 CAD delivered after tax. 5th gen part number: 8710360400

edit: here's a video detailing a good replacement. note if you have a limited trim you need to be careful of the amber courtesy light, don't rip that out

2016 Toyota 4 Runner Blower Motor Problems / Fixes - YouTube

 

[jrandom]

Well if it is a power lead/ground you should be able to throw a meter on it and see if you are getting consistent power.

I have had two toyota blower motors go out, one in an '89 hilux and another in a '99 4runner, both with similar symptoms. The Hilux I just replaced outright as it was nearly 20 years old at the time. The 3rd gen I actually pulled it, took it completely apart (well as apart as it would come with breaking plastic) and cleaned it out, bearings and all, it ran well for another year but ultimately ended up replacing it too.

 

[Salvo]

Mine was done under warranty both times, so I can’t speak to cost. But I have replaced one in my 100 series Land Cruiser. I’m not mechanically inclined at all and it was super simple. Just a few bolts and a plug behind your glove box, if the blower is in fact the issue. It’s been a while, but I think the part wasn’t much more than $150 or so. Good luck.

 

[ChelleDawg]

I have 2016 limited and have recently started to hear a constant noise when the heat (and a/c bc I tried) are on. It’s driving me nuts. It almost sounds like when you load a Cd or a game into a console and it spins, but this noise is constant. I’d like to attach a video but I can’t figure how to. Any help? I had an appt this week but dealer said he couldn’t hear anything and basically shoved me out the door. Is this normal or common? I think it’s the blower motor.

 

[jrandom]

I have 2016 limited and have recently started to hear a constant noise when the heat (and a/c bc I tried) are on. It’s driving me nuts. It almost sounds like when you load a Cd or a game into a console and it spins, but this noise is constant. I’d like to attach a video but I can’t figure how to. Any help? I had an appt this week but dealer said he couldn’t hear anything and basically shoved me out the door. Is this normal or common? I think it’s the blower motor.

First off, pull your cabin filter out “carefully” as you can have a bunch of crap (leaves, mouse nest, ect.) on top of it. Then stick your phone in there and take a couple pics. Check to see if it has anything stuck in the fan blade. I have had a leaf caught in mine and it definitely makes an odd sound. Go from there.

 

[ChelleDawg]

First off, pull your cabin filter out “carefully” as you can have a bunch of crap (leaves, mouse nest, ect.) on top of it. Then stick your phone in there and take a couple pics. Check to see if it has anything stuck in the fan blade. I have had a leaf caught in mine and it definitely makes an odd sound. Go from there.

I did take the filter out, it’s new, but it did have a couple of leaves in it. I will pull it out again and take a pic bc my brother said the same thing, that it could be debris of some sort.

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Humble Leader]

I have 2016 limited and have recently started to hear a constant noise when the heat (and a/c bc I tried) are on. It’s driving me nuts. It almost sounds like when you load a Cd or a game into a console and it spins, but this noise is constant. I’d like to attach a video but I can’t figure how to. Any help? I had an appt this week but dealer said he couldn’t hear anything and basically shoved me out the door. Is this normal or common? I think it’s the blower motor.

kind of like a grinding / ticking noise? sorry I haven't used a CD player in years lol. does it change with fan speed. If your filter is clean 90% chance your blower motor is on the way out. I replaced mine in about 10 minutes. I had the same whirring/ticking and it was more noticeable at lower fan speeds

 

[Salvo]

kind of like a grinding / ticking noise? sorry I haven't used a CD player in years lol. does it change with fan speed. If your filter is clean 90% chance your blower motor is on the way out. I replaced mine in about 10 minutes. I had the same whirring/ticking and it was more noticeable at lower fan speeds

This. Had it done a few times in my 2014 and was pretty pissed to have one replaced in my 5 month old 2021. They’re garbage blowers and need to be redesigned.

 

[ChelleDawg]

kind of like a grinding / ticking noise? sorry I haven't used a CD player in years lol. does it change with fan speed. If your filter is clean 90% chance your blower motor is on the way out. I replaced mine in about 10 minutes. I had the same whirring/ticking and it was more noticeable at lower fan speeds

I'm not really sure how to describe it other than it constantly sounds like a cd is loading from under my glove box. It's getting a bit louder & the higher I turn up the heat (not air yet, but again, I have played with it to see if I could hear it then and yes) the louder it is. It's just a constant spinning sound - I honestly thought it was my speaker for a bit, like how you have a microphone on & hear that white noise? I'm not sure if that's the best description either, but the moment I turn off my heat, it stops. It's driving my NUTS!!!! I do have videos of it that I'd like for you all to hear, but I can't figure out how to load them on here.

Also, is yours a 2016? IF so, what is the part that you ordered? Mine is still under a warranty so of course I'm going to take it back to the dealer BUT if they keep putting in crap ones, I'd still like to know a better part. Thanks so much!

 

[Bmnorm2]

I'm not really sure how to describe it other than it constantly sounds like a cd is loading from under my glove box. It's getting a bit louder & the higher I turn up the heat (not air yet, but again, I have played with it to see if I could hear it then and yes) the louder it is. It's just a constant spinning sound - I honestly thought it was my speaker for a bit, like how you have a microphone on & hear that white noise? I'm not sure if that's the best description either, but the moment I turn off my heat, it stops. It's driving my NUTS!!!! I do have videos of it that I'd like for you all to hear, but I can't figure out how to load them on here.

Also, is yours a 2016? IF so, what is the part that you ordered? Mine is still under a warranty so of course I'm going to take it back to the dealer BUT if they keep putting in crap ones, I'd still like to know a better part. Thanks so much!

Your description sounds like the blower motor bearings are going bad. The sound should change (increase/decrease in frequency) with fan speed. My gfs Honda Civic has been like this for a couple years and blower still hasn't failed...

Get it replaced under warranty.

 

[Humble Leader]

I'm not really sure how to describe it other than it constantly sounds like a cd is loading from under my glove box. It's getting a bit louder & the higher I turn up the heat (not air yet, but again, I have played with it to see if I could hear it then and yes) the louder it is. It's just a constant spinning sound - I honestly thought it was my speaker for a bit, like how you have a microphone on & hear that white noise? I'm not sure if that's the best description either, but the moment I turn off my heat, it stops. It's driving my NUTS!!!! I do have videos of it that I'd like for you all to hear, but I can't figure out how to load them on here.

Also, is yours a 2016? IF so, what is the part that you ordered? Mine is still under a warranty so of course I'm going to take it back to the dealer BUT if they keep putting in crap ones, I'd still like to know a better part. Thanks so much!

I'm very confident you have a blower motor issue. I have a 2012 but the part number should be the same.

P/N 8710360400

if you plan to do this you might have an orange LED under the glovebox that is attached to the trim piece you need to remove. Be careful not to rip the trim piece out or you will have a bad day. you don't need to remove the LED light just move the piece with the LED inside it to the side.

edit: I would use the toyota part over aftermarket, I just re read your post now. sucks having to replace it (I only had to replace mine once in 9 years so it's hit or miss) but use a toyota part

 

[mattyrides07]

had a similar whine with my blower motor. it seemed to progressively be getting worse these last few months. replaced it and no more whine and the air flow is a tad better than before. this is not a hard DIY

my blower motor cost about $280 CAD delivered after tax. 5th gen part number: 8710360400

edit: here's a video detailing a good replacement. note if you have a limited trim you need to be careful of the amber courtesy light, don't rip that out

2016 Toyota 4 Runner Blower Motor Problems / Fixes - YouTube

Thank you!!!! This was my issue and resolution.