Fan motor noise

[cj80cruiser]

I've been getting an intermittent noise coming from my fan motor. It sounds similiar to a card stuck in bicycle spokes but not nearly as loud....just really annoying. It doesnt stop when I turn the fan switch off or get any faster when I turn the fan speed up, weird. Any thoughts?

 

[kman55]

Mine does that sometimes. Then it will last and go away. I airways assume maybe a leaf got in or something fell down in it. There's always the possibility something's wrong. Mines been that way for years off and on though

 

[rjaudi]

Pull the motor and clean it. It is right behind the glovebox held in with 3 screws. Mine want bad and when it was on a low setting would make a light clicking sound.

 

[aeroneer1]

I had this issue as well. Mine was squeaking, mostly just on really cold days. It'd get louder when I ran higher speed fan. I pulled it out, but couldn't figure out how the hell to get it apart. I couldn't get the fan part off the motor to clean it. Was looking at just getting a new one, but they run about $70.

Not a big enough deal for me yet to warrant $70 yet. If you find a good write up on how to take it apart and clean it, let us know!

 

[cj80cruiser]

I've got a spare one on a parts truck I have. I may take it out and experiment with taking it apart first, then try it on my ride.

 

[IanB]

I've been getting an intermittent noise coming from my fan motor. It sounds similiar to a card stuck in bicycle spokes but not nearly as loud....just really annoying. It doesnt stop when I turn the fan switch off or get any faster when I turn the fan speed up, weird. Any thoughts?

That doesn't make any sense, if you turn the fan off and it's still making the noise, it's not the fan. Are you sure it isn't the rear heater fan, and that's why it's not responding to the switch changes like you'd expect?

 

[cj80cruiser]

That doesn't make any sense, if you turn the fan off and it's still making the noise, it's not the fan. Are you sure it isn't the rear heater fan, and that's why it's not responding to the switch changes like you'd expect?

It doesn't make sense to me either. I don't have the rear heat/fan on. It sounds like its coming from the front blower motor under the glove box. Really weird that the frequency doesnt change with the fan button speed adjustment

 

[IanB]

It doesn't make sense to me either. I don't have the rear heat/fan on. It sounds like its coming from the front blower motor under the glove box. Really weird that the frequency doesnt change with the fan button speed adjustment

If you turn the key to the accesory on position (engine off), the fan should work. Do you hear the noise from the fan when you do this? Just trying to rule out engine noise as the cause. Bottom line, if the fan is off and the noise persists, you either have a haunted fan motor, or it's not the fan.

What style HVAC controls do you have? Maybe the newer digital panel has some sort of auto override that keeps the fan spinning even when the switches are set to off?

 

[cj80cruiser]

If you turn the key to the accesory on position (engine off), the fan should work. Do you hear the noise from the fan when you do this? Just trying to rule out engine noise as the cause. Bottom line, if the fan is off and the noise persists, you either have a haunted fan motor, or it's not the fan.

What style HVAC controls do you have? Maybe the newer digital panel has some sort of auto override that keeps the fan spinning even when the switches are set to off?

I have the old style controls but the air still blows slightly when the fan switch is off. Although the frequency of the "clicks" doesn't increase or decrease with the fan speed.

 

[cj80cruiser]

If you turn the key to the accesory on position (engine off), the fan should work. Do you hear the noise from the fan when you do this? Just trying to rule out engine noise as the cause. Bottom line, if the fan is off and the noise persists, you either have a haunted fan motor, or it's not the fan.

What style HVAC controls do you have? Maybe the newer digital panel has some sort of auto override that keeps the fan spinning even when the switches are set to off?

I tried today with the engine off and ignition switched to the on position. It still makes the noise.

 

[IanB]

Pull it out and have a look then, if nothing else it will be due for a good cleaning. It's like 3 bolts and a wiring harness to remove, super easy. On my truck there is a road flare holder on the passenger side kickpanel that's in the way, and I actually have to pull the kickpanel to get it out, but it's still a 10 min job max.

I was getting the same noises, couldn't find anything wrong with it, cleaned it and put it back in, and the noise is still there, so I'm following this with great interest as I'd love to get it fixed.

 

[jimmyw71]

I just purchased an 07 4Runner SR5 to use as a utility truck. I've always loved these, and I'm stoked to see how many forums there are to tweak 'em.

The one thing I hate on mine is that blower motor! It gets off balance or something and starts rumbling like the bearings are failing. I tried removing the motor from the plastic housing and oiling the bushing that I could find, but it's still so loud. The dealer wanted $161 for the part - crazy. Thank god for eBay! $39 for a factory fit with no mods necessary. Even comes with the squirrel cage!

 

[Dark_Dragon]

I have the same noise coming from behind my glove box and its a 2016 with under 20K on it. That would make me think that its not from wear.

 

[ACFloyd12]

Similar Issue

I have been dealing with the same and a similar other issue. I have a 99' that has a crackling, fluttering sound that starts under or around the glove box when I reach higher speeds greater than 40 MPH. I thought it was the rear fan, but it is not. I am also dealing with the issue of barely any air coming out of my vents regardless of how high the air is on. I have ordered a new blower motor hoping that will fix that issue. Finally, when I turn my air on to anything medium or higher, the loudest noises, sounding like a vacuum start going on and it is way too loud. Any thoughts or ideas on this?

 

[heat]

I'd look for some kind of air flow obstruction, like blend door is stuck or its motor isn't working. Or I suppose leaf residue.

 

[phattyduck]

Pull the blower motor before buying a new one. You probably just have a bunch of crap in it. Make sure the panel at the bottom of the windshield (cowl trim) is in good shape and fairly well sealed to avoid crap getting down to the air intake for the HVAC system.

While you are in there, see how bad the heat exchangers are for the HVAC system - those can be plugged up too.

EDIT: While you are at it, also luck up above the blower motor to see if there are any obstructions above (nest at the intake, whatever).

-Charlie

 

[3bears]

I have delt with both...depending on where you live it is common for the motors to fill up with stuff....pine needles...acorns,.... mice nest . those will make noise and block airflow
however a loud squealing I would think would be the blower motor itself

 

[brillo_76]

I had one burn up while driving down the road and feel the cab up with nasty smoke. So if its making noise. Its best to clean and or replace before you have this happen.. As the smoke stunk.. I looked like Cheech and Chong rolling all the windows down and shutting the fan off at the same time. This really sucks in winter and cold months too.. So as soon as they start.. fix it is the moral of the story. Don't put if off as they sometimes can go very quickly. ainkiller: