Annoying buzzing noise under passenger dash

[bluemax009]

For the last few weeks there has been an annoying buzzing under the passenger dash. Obviously fan related as it quits when I turn the climate off. Took it in the the stealership and they told me it was the heater blower and motor. Would need to be replaced..... For $400 bucks. So I left and thought I would check here to see if anyone else has encountered this and if it's a quick DIY. I'd jump right in on my 86 FJ, but am admittedly a bit hesitant with the new girl.
Thanks

 

[auggafj80]

I had the same issue on my 08 sequoia. I did it my self. Under the glove box there should be a plastic panel cover. Just pop it off and look up there. On the sequoia the blower motor was attached with three bolts and a wire harness. Easy plug and play if you get the proper part. I tried going to advanced auto parts but they gave me the wrong part. It was a bitch when I did it because it was winter time. Change it now! I have an 08 cruiser now so I'm interested in how u make out. $400 sounds excessive.

 

[bluemax009]

Great. Ill take a look at it today.

 

[gaijin]

Just a shot in the dark, but you might try changing your cabin air filter first.

Who knows, maybe it's something simple ...

 

[bluemax009]

Yeah. Thought of that as I was poking around under the dash looking for those bolts. Changed it but no dice.

 

[bluemax009]

So as Murphy would have it the blower motor finally goes out on me...In Orlando, while 95 degrees, on Interstate 4, enroute to Universal...with the whole fam Was forced to drop it off at the dealership. Must say great service as they quickly set us up with a loaner Prius for the day. I'll have it back tomorrow though...and I'll be $700 lighter and one dunce cap heavier. Sooooo should've listened to the poster who told me "fix it now!,

 

[auggafj80]

Sorry to hear that dude. But at least you could roll the windows down!

 

[bluemax009]

Thanks buddy. I must say that I guess it is time for me to pay up to the dealership gods. I do all my own maintenance and repairs and in the past 8 to 10 years I haven't had the first problem with any of my LRs or cruisers. So I can occasionally suck up one right to the teeth.
What hurts most is that I could probably find a blower motor for a few hundred bucks and install it in about an hour.

 

[bluemax009]

So here's a pic of the blower motor that just cost me $800 to repair. Now that I have my part back from the dealership how do I test it for whats salvageable? I'd like to find a good use on one of my cruisers for this if even for a one time only field expedient application.

 

[chimyz]

I have the exact same issue...has been going on for some time. The fan part is $250, part and install is $750 because of 4 hrs labour. I'm wondering if the glove box needs to come off to access the three bolts. I looked on the TIS site, but couldn't tell. If anyone knows, please chime in!

 

[sptsdn]

I have the exact same issue...has been going on for some time. The fan part is $250, part and install is $750 because of 4 hrs labour. I'm wondering if the glove box needs to come off to access the three bolts. I looked on the TIS site, but couldn't tell. If anyone knows, please chime in!

Ours went out too...by frying the circuitry and filling the cabin with smoke. Fortunately it was replaced under warranty.

As far as getting to it, yes, it looks like the glove box needs to be removed. Of course, to removed the glove box, you ave to remove a bunch of trim that leads up to it as well as the knee air bag. He's a pic of when I installed the ipod adapter and nav override switch and I'm pretty sure that's the blower at the bottom right:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/...C7-93FD-E6B799C08893-242-000000190E6ECABD.jpg

Everything around the glovebox comes off pretty easily (disregard the center console nightmare!). The only nerve-racking thing it the airbag that gets removed (but left plugged in), you can see it wrapped in the checker blanket.

 

[auggafj80]

The sequoia is a little less complicated, no airbag involved (I think!) just need to pop a panel and get in there. You risk some neck injury though, getting under there to see is a pain. The lc at least looks like its straight on. Why r these things going bad?