Dashboard blower motor on high speed is very loud

[JamieG]

It's a deep loud blowing sound with vibration.
I don't think it is supposed to be this way but I don't know.

Is there a good diagnostic test?
Or a common widget to replace?

The threads I found in a search seem to say it's easy to remove to take a look, and that there is no specific filter, so it can clog up with debris.

Am I on the right track for diagnostics to figure out how to remove it to take a look? Or is there a typical widget to look for that needs replacing?

 

[shadow247]

I used this write-up to do mine - http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/113266-cleaning-blower-fan-write-up.html - I tried to clean it, but it didn't make much difference. I was unable to get my fan apart, and I didn't want to chance breaking it, so I just put it back together and dealt with it.

 

[pluton]

It's worth it to pull the blower out and see if anything is wrong with it. And, you'll be prepared in the event that you decide to replace the blower.

 

[sgp250r]

Mine is like that too! So far I haven't had a need for that much air so haven't tackled looking at it but wondered if something was wrong as well. I'll be following along if you do tear into it!

 

[3Gen_RUNNER]

I literally just did this yesterday. Took all of 5min lol. I was prepared to replace some things and expecting the worse. The blower looked like a birds nest. I was shocked with how much junk was built up around it. Cleaned it out and popped it back in, turned the AC on full blast and it was as good as new! Before cleaning I couldn’t turn it above ‘2’ without awful vibrations and noise! It’s worth the 5min trust me

 

[TheDurk]

Just pull it. It's a required first step like trying a new printer cable or putting a new spark plug in a lawn mower. I've done it twice: once it was acorns and another time it was a mouse nest.

 

[JamieG]

Got the message to just pull it and look inside.
Also got the message that it's not the bearings usually.
Or any specific widget that breaks or that needs an aftermarket part.

Seems everyone just has debris stuck in there which makes it make noise.

When I rip it out, I'll follow that thread where the guy found the (live) mouse.

This looks like the plan (best writeup is by TheDurk)
# (Maybe) Remove two glove box screws (some people do, some don't)
# Remove two screws from the plastic trim along the door opening
# Lift the front edge of door trim away from the bottom of the kick panel
# Remove the kick panel molding front two screws
# Pull the kick panel back only about two inches
# Raise the bottom of the kick panel sideways towards the center console
# Remove 3 blower motor screws (1/4" ratchet + T25 socket + 2" bar)
# Push the tab & pry the electrical connector off with a screwdriver
# Inspect, clean, & lube (most who took it apart never got it back together)

From that thread, there's no cabin filter, just an upper screen, but the defrost was said to have an opening along the base of the windshield for stuff to get in, as was the recirculation pathway on the left side of the blower case.

If you want pictures of anything, let me know as I'll maybe attempt it this weekend. I don't think I'll try to disassemble the motor as only the best of the best got it apart to lube inside without breaking the 20 year old plastic.

 

[JohnMc]

Same experience here. One day it rather suddenly started making noise and vibrating. I took it out (very easy to do) and there was a big lump of what looked like mouse nesting in it. Dang critters.

Cleaned that out, put it back in quickly, then ran it on high to see if it would pull anything else in, nope, so I put everything back together.

 

[Hepar]

Mine was making a lot of noise too. Pulled it out and safe to say that I found the issue quite quickly.

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[AntleredRuin]

Mine was making a lot of noise too. Pulled it out and safe to say that I found the issue quite quickly.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/54400273@N03/40458656610/in/dateposted-public/" title="IMG_7240"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/823/40458656610_2da29085d9_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMG_7240"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

SO THAT's where I left my stash...

 

[Kanoe]

After dealing with the mice 2 times I fixed it for good. Here is a link to the pics of the air inlet screen I made.

We are currently in the California desert and have had critters in the engine bay at night but it is a small comfort to know they can no longer get in to the truck cabin.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/261464-no-more-mice.html

 

[TheDurk]

SO THAT's where I left my stash...

Heh. Back when I was 17, I used to keep my stash in the intake of the A/C of my mother's '66 Plymouth Belvedere. During the winter, no problem. Then the first warm day in the spring, I hit the Max A/C button, the door behind the stash opened up, and that enormous fan chewed up a good ounce and sprayed it out the ducts. I could not get that smell out of her car. It stunk for a month.


My explanations did not go well.

 

[Hepar]

Heh. Back when I was 17, I used to keep my stash in the intake of the A/C of my mother's '66 Plymouth Belvedere. During the winter, no problem. Then the first warm day in the spring, I hit the Max A/C button, the door behind the stash opened up, and that enormous fan chewed up a good ounce and sprayed it out the ducts. I could not get that smell out of her car. It stunk for a month.


My explanations did not go well.

Depending on when you were 17, that could have been a pretty costly lesson too.

 

[sleepydad]

Depending on when you were 17, that could have been a pretty costly lesson too.

good stuff has never been cheap, ever. ditch weeds are free but always disappointing.

 

[TheDurk]

Depending on when you were 17, that could have been a pretty costly lesson too.

In those days, never paid more than $20 an ounce. Might have to smoke a little more of it, but trust me, we could get plenty wrecked.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Lol, this thread took a hilarious turn opcorn:

 

[Hepar]

In those days, never paid more than $20 an ounce. Might have to smoke a little more of it, but trust me, we could get plenty wrecked.

$20?!

Lol, this thread took a hilarious turn opcorn:

He started it!

SO THAT's where I left my stash...

 

[_x_ramon_x_]

^ lol

Once i bought a used 3rd gen and the ac blew very weak and sounded terrible.
So i opened up the fan from under the glove box and it was completely full of carpet like insulation. Anyway cleaned it and it made a hell of a difference.

 

[AntleredRuin]

He started it!

:humble:

 

[cdubsred]

AC/Heat Fan Not Working On Low Setting

I have a 98 Limited and my first speed of AC/Heat wasn't turning on. All things pointed to the Blower Motor Resistor, but the forums/videos I found weren't 98-specific. Anyone having this issue, I made a YouTube video that'll hopefully help ya out.

$20 fix, everything's good as new!

YouTube