Bird chirping noise behind dash! (1 Viewer)

[TED the LX470]

Hello people's of IH8mud

This is my first post on this excellent forum. I have in the last few weeks purchased a beautiful black 2003 LX 470, affectionately named TED.

The car has a couple of issues, but the one that has me stumped the most is a chirping noise coming from behind the dash that sounds like a sparrow, particularly when the air conditioning is running. This chirping noise however comes and goes........

does anyone have any experience in a similar noise and ways of identifying the possible issue and possible rectification? as it drives me slightly nutty.

 

[jtb517]

Does it only happen when the AC is on?

If so, it could be the blower motor. It is located in the passenger side footwell just behind the glovebox. It may just need a cleaning as leaves and debris can work their way in over time.

 

[TED the LX470]

Does it only happen when the AC is on?

If so, it could be the blower motor. It is located in the passenger side footwell just behind the glovebox. It may just need a cleaning as leaves and debris can work their way in over time.

Hi jtb,

I don't think it is the blower motor, this noise seems to come and go as it pleases. It kind of annoys me, then it goes away only to come back again some minutes later. The noise seems to be coming from near my left foot, in behind to dash board area. I am in Australia so i drive on the right hand side of the car, this noise seems to be coming from the center stack, down low. Actually sounds like a vacume line or something to do with the a/c controls not being able to hold a constant position, so it oscillates and creates this noise.

 

[mkylx]

Hi jtb,

I don't think it is the blower motor, this noise seems to come and go as it pleases. It kind of annoys me, then it goes away only to come back again some minutes later. The noise seems to be coming from near my left foot, in behind to dash board area. I am in Australia so i drive on the right hand side of the car, this noise seems to be coming from the center stack, down low. Actually sounds like a vacume line or something to do with the a/c controls not being able to hold a constant position, so it oscillates and creates this noise.

Hello TED the LX470,

I am also in Australia and have a 2004 LX470.

Mine also has this faint noise coming from behind the dash and my wife says it sounds like someone is sending us a fax. The noise is random and comes and goes, sometimes "busier" than others, and does not seem to relate to any normal operation of a component.

Just wondering if you ever found what was making the noise in your car?

Thanks.
Colin.
Mky. Qld.

 

[IndroCruise]

A possibility might be the blend door actuator a.k.a. servo sub-assembly at the back of the heater box. The relevant parts (from Partsouq website) may include:

8712 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING - HEATER UNIT & BLOWER

	Part Number	Name
	8721160300	DUCT, AIR
	8710660100	SERVO SUB-ASSY, DAMPER, NO.2
	8710660180	SERVO SUB-ASSY, DAMPER(FOR BLOWER)
	8710660090	SERVO SUB-ASSY, DAMPER

Been there done that on my 2006 HDJ100 Sahara with same Climate Control as LX470, maybe 8 years ago, probably means that it is due to happen again!!

The problem arises when the tiny plastic gears in the actuator wear out or strip, then the gears slip and the device responds erratically, making bird-type noises. Turning the aircon “OFF” or switching to manual (not auto) may help identify the problem.

Suggest ask the Service people at a Toyota or Lexus Dealership to identify the problem and to give a quote -- most Dealers and many auto or aircon electricians would have done this job previously and should be able tell you exactly what the job would cost – or at least that happened at Scifleet Kedron Qld in my case.

The parts costs are the least of the shock but the job is PITA if you do it yourself and expensive PITCC (Pain In The Credit Card) if a Dealer does it for you. If this is the problem, then the job involves labour hours to pull out enough of the dashboard to get to the back of the heater box.

 

[2001LC]

Have you opened the hood and checked the:
Drive belt or it's, Idler pulley & Tensioner pulley bearings.

 

[excessive]

it could be the expansion valve

 

[mkylx]

Hello IndroCruise,

That sounds like where the noise is coming from, yes way behind the dash (!), and probably what it is. Will try turning off the A/C and investigate.

Every thing in the engine bay, pulleys etc, are good and quiet.

Thank you for your help, much appreciated.

Colin.

 

[jLB]

We've got the chirping bird in our 99 LX. Has had it since we purchased it in 2019. At first I was terrified that it might be the brakes, then I replaced the blower motor, then I narrowed it to the blend door. Looking at what's involved in replacing/repairing, I've decided that it doesn't bother me that much (yet), it's not my DD, on long trips I resort to chipping back at it, or turning up the stereo.

 

[IndroCruise]

Hello IndroCruise,

That sounds like where the noise is coming from, yes way behind the dash (!), and probably what it is. Will try turning off the A/C and investigate.

Every thing in the engine bay, pulleys etc, are good and quiet.

Thank you for your help, much appreciated.

Colin.

Here is an older post -- basically the same information, although it is more precise about parts and also mentions 10 hours of workshop labour. The invoice is now lost but multiply a standard workshop hourly rate by 10, look up parts and add those costs to give you an idea of total cost. Removing and re-installing a dashboard is way above my paygrade so for me it was a case of put up with noise or get a workshop to fix it. Hopefully your actual problem is something much easier and cheaper!!

'Whoop' noise upon startup

In the video you hear some rustling, the beep of me clicking the temperature adjuster, the blend door moving, and then a "whoo-ooop" noise. Noise happens once every ~3 mornings in warm (70F/~20C) and cold (40F/~5C), while driving or in park, but always within 10sec-3min from starting. I...

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