Climate control fan loose?

[greywalrus]

2010 LX570. Climate control works great and is always quiet, unless I brake hard, or go down a steep hill, or come to a fairly quick stop. It then seems to “throw” the fan forward and it rattles/humms/wobbles… as soon as I accelerate or even let off the brake to shift the car nose-up again, it goes away and is quiet.

Any way I can get a look at this? Sounds like it’s coming from behind/under the dash.

 

[bloc]

When you remove the panel above the passengers feet the fan is on the right side tucked up under the dash. It bolts into the bottom of the air distribution box. Should be easy enough to see if it’s loose.

 

[greywalrus]

When you remove the panel above the passengers feet the fan is on the right side tucked up under the dash. It bolts into the bottom of the air distribution box. Should be easy enough to see if it’s loose.

Thanks! I will now know where to look haha

 

[2021 LC200]

This shows the fan, not sure all the steps are needed to get to it.

 

[bloc]

It bolts right into the bottom of that white housing. From memory the glove box and such doesn’t even need to be removed, but I could be wrong on that detail. Maybe the knee airbag.

 

[2021 LC200]

I also think just the panel below the glove box. This guy is going for the recirc flap so needs full access.

Odd by the way that blower fan would come lose. I rather think it could be as simple as a piece laying in the bottom of the center arm cool box or door pockets or sunglasses holder etc… Worth checking all those obvious places noise can come from before opening up the dash.

 

[Sandroad]

2010 LX570. Climate control works great and is always quiet, unless I brake hard, or go down a steep hill, or come to a fairly quick stop. It then seems to “throw” the fan forward and it rattles/humms/wobbles… as soon as I accelerate or even let off the brake to shift the car nose-up again, it goes away and is quiet.

Any way I can get a look at this? Sounds like it’s coming from behind/under the dash.

Before you get out your wrenches, put the HVAC system in RECIRC and check for rodent nesting material in the fan housing. Loose material in there could shift around?

 

[greywalrus]

I got the fan motor out, super easy. When I shake it or spin the fan, there is no noise whatsoever. The interior of the housing is clean, the filter is new and in place securely. I don’t want to order a fan motor if I can locate the grinding/growling noise… the only thing inside the motor is the motherboard. Has anyone actually located the growling noise of the fan motor? Or should replacing it fix it anyway? We’ve owned the car for 3yrs and only recently has it been making this noise when the fan is on.

 

[bloc]

I got the fan motor out, super easy. When I shake it or spin the fan, there is no noise whatsoever. The interior of the housing is clean, the filter is new and in place securely. I don’t want to order a fan motor if I can locate the grinding/growling noise… the only thing inside the motor is the motherboard. Has anyone actually located the growling noise of the fan motor? Or should replacing it fix it anyway? We’ve owned the car for 3yrs and only recently has it been making this noise when the fan is on.

Try adding a few drops of light oil to the bushings and see if that changes the noise. Even if that means drilling small holes for access via dropper. I like "3-in-1" for stuff like this.

 

[08URJ200]

@greywalrus check out Yet another lurker out of the shadows...

 

[greywalrus]

I also think just the panel below the glove box. This guy is going for the recirc flap so needs full access.

Odd by the way that blower fan would come lose. I rather think it could be as simple as a piece laying in the bottom of the center arm cool box or door pockets or sunglasses holder etc… Worth checking all those obvious places noise can come from before opening up the dash.

I bought an OEM replacement fan. Installed it super easy. Fixed the problem of the noise. Thanks guys.