Clicking noise when AC/Heat fan is turned on

[4RunnerLIFEISGOOD]

Hey everyone,

So for the past week, it has been quite cold, and my precious 4runner has been outside each night, accumulating quite a bit of frost on the windshield. So naturally, about 10 minutes before I leave for work in the mornings, I will turn the car on, turn the temp up, and turn the fan up on full blast! (I have read the manual, and it seems to recommend this process)

It certainly warms my car up. But for some reason, when I got into my car this morning, I heard an unusual noise, a clicking. Every time I would speed the fan up, it would click faster, every time I would slow it down, it would click slower, but more distinct. When I turn it off, it goes away. It is a loud and annoying sound. I would really like for it to go away. I have read a few tips from other generations of 4runners, but I want to be specific for my 2006 4Runner.

Anyone experienced or heard about anything like this? I would like to fix it, but I want to be sure I am doing the right thing when I go to unscrewing things, etc...

Thanks in advance!

 

[dadigab]

Mostly likely it is the clutch on a/c compressor cycling on and off which comes on during the defrost setting to act as a dehumidifer. With fan on high the fan is loudest making clicking sound seem subdued. Raising hood standing there you should hear exactly where its coming from, if thats the sound you hear.

 

[4RunnerFan]

Or maybe something fell into the HVAC fan? Maybe remove the passenger cabin filter element to see if you can get better access to it (with key out of ignition, of course).

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I would first check the HVAC van and see if any critters are trying to make a home in there or something?

 

[Dawg4Runner]

I had that same issue in my 93 p/u truck. Turned out to be a leaf against the blower fan. A few years later the fan was making a strange noise and not blowing air. A rodent had torn off the insulation under the hood and dragged in into the hvac duct.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I had that same issue in my 93 p/u truck. Turned out to be a leaf against the blower fan. A few years later the fan was making a strange noise and not blowing air. A rodent had torn off the insulation under the hood and dragged in into the hvac duct.

Had an industrious squirrel eat the top of a birdcage fan in my dad's GTP, threw the thing off balance and made a god awful racket.

 

[scojoe]

Leaf +1

 

[4RunnerLIFEISGOOD]

Thanks everyone for your responses! This forum is so awesome!!!

So, if something indeed is stuck inside my HVAC... What is the best/most-safe/easiest/non-damaging way to check that?

I will surely keep everyone updated on what the problem is

 

[4RunnerFan]

Per post #3, try removing passenger cabin air filter element in glove box. Instructions are in owner's manual. Might want to change out the element for a new one at the same time. Mine ususally gets dirty even before the recommended service interval.