ventilation fan bearing noise

[pipspeak]

My ventilation fan has started to make a loud chirping sound (like a cricket) on the lowest speed and I'm curious if folks think this is something that could be fixed under warranty.

It's been doing it for a while but has recently got loud enough that the dealer cannot fail to hear it (as they did last year). It gets a bit louder when coasting and quieter when accelerating, which is probably related to subtle changes in fan speed. I assumed it's a noisy bearing issue, but is that gonna be enough for a dealer to replace the entire blower unit under warranty? It still works fine, just drives me nuts!

 

[toto]

The blower fan noise was common on several Toyota products around 2004.

Are you still covered by a warranty? If so, and the warranty covers the blower motor, then you're all set.

 

[pipspeak]

yeah, I have an extended warranty... I'm just curious if this warrants a replacement simply because of some noise at low speed. Last year the dealer claimed they couldn't hear it. I guess I'll try again this week.

Another question... is the blower unit accessed from the engine bay or by tearing apart the dash?

 

[toto]

The blower is behind the glovebox.

 

[jeober]

Pip,

What you describe is classic brush chirp.

The blower motor has a pair copper/graphic brushes spring-loaded running against a commutator on the motor shaft. At low speed a brush can make a chirping noise under certain conditions that come and go.

Tell the dealer you have brush chirp and that you would like a replacement blower motor. There might be a warranty code for blower motor brush chirp -- the problem been around in the application forever -- much like brake squeal.

 

[t4rjasper]

Blower motor brush chirp

The blower motor in my 2003 4runner was chirping a bit on all fan speeds, and within a couple of weeks it degenerated into all-out fingernails-on-chalkboard screeching regardless of fan speed setting. Not every time I ran the fan, but often. Sometimes it'd be running quiet and I'd hit a bump and it'd start howling. Not pleasant, and of course it's winter up here and not running the blower motor is not an option.

I pulled out the motor, which takes all of ten minutes (thanks Toyota engineers!) and, being the cheap dude I am I tried cleaning it, etc. but when I put it back in it was worse! Anyway, long story short, I picked up a new motor from NAPA ($215 Canadian - ouch) and the problem is solved. I am now able to swap blower motors in ten minutes, but hopefully I won't have to for a while.

Of course, while your in there you might as well check (and replace if necessary) the cabin air filter ($11 Canadian at NAPA). I could have grown herbs in mine, it was so dirty (just picked up the T4R and the PO was not into such trivial maintenance apparently).

 

[atomicbob]

If not covered by warranty, check out http://www.car-part.com. I picked up a used one for $30. Installed and tested on site in less than 30 minutes.

 

[Massina]

I fixed this without replacing the motor. Remove the three screws holding the fan to its airbox. Remove the friction clip that holds the fane vane to the motor shaft (use needlenose, or the like). This affords you access to the windings. This is as far as you have to go; you don't have to pull the rotor! Spray compressed air on the windings; you will get what is like disc brake dust out. Then follow with Electronic Contact Cleaner. Just spray it all over the windings, etc. Give it a moment to dry, reassemble, enjoy your quiet fan again.

 

[Montego Murph]

Opting to add to an existing thread rather than starting a new one to assist further searchers. Apologies if I chose wrong.

It's 20 below here in Central IL and my blower fan is just starting to squeal on all speeds.

I like the idea of cleaning the brushes. Mine likely needs that too. Is there any recommended lubrication that can/should be done? I'm thinking after 15 years of use, a little oil or grease wouldn't hurt.

 

[LandCruiser]

Opting to add to an existing thread rather than starting a new one to assist further searchers. Apologies if I chose wrong.

It's 20 below here in Central IL and my blower fan is just starting to squeal on all speeds.

I like the idea of cleaning the brushes. Mine likely needs that too. Is there any recommended lubrication that can/should be done? I'm thinking after 15 years of use, a little oil or grease wouldn't hurt.

A new one is about 80-100 bucks.

Mine went out after 4 years.