Strange Noise in Dash of '16 Sequoia (1 Viewer)

[LCnAZ]

Hi guys, I typically only live in the LC 60 wagon forum, but...

I have a '16 Sequoia that has the most bizarre noise associated with the air system in the dash. It only occurs in the hottest most humid time of the year in AZ. It sounds like a rather loud wild bird call. I'm not kidding. It last about 1.5 seconds and has a distinct rising/swooping pitch. It sounds as if it originates from in the driver side dash somewhere in the cabin air system. It has been a kind of funny thing we laugh about on the road, but I should probably get it taken care of before the extended warranty expires. Problem is I've talked to nobody that has ever heard this problem. I would think that it is the hinge on a damper or mixer.

Anybody have any ideas? Anybody know where I can find a breakout/schematic of the cabin air system?

Thanks

 

[Weedhopper]

Probably a screaming mouse…
Pull the cabin filter, see if it changes.

 

[LCnAZ]

Probably a screaming mouse…
Pull the cabin filter, see if it changes.

Ha! That's the first reaction I had, too...years ago when it began...that a creature of some kind had gotten into the vehicle.

 

[YotaJosh]

I've owned my 08 for 5 years now and it has always "whistled" out of the vent left of the radio when you turn the fan up mid way or higher. I still haven't taken it apart to figure out why, but just attributed it to a misaligned air duct or something.

 

[900exdriver]

Hi guys, I typically only live in the LC 60 wagon forum, but...

I have a '16 Sequoia that has the most bizarre noise associated with the air system in the dash. It only occurs in the hottest most humid time of the year in AZ. It sounds like a rather loud wild bird call. I'm not kidding. It last about 1.5 seconds and has a distinct rising/swooping pitch. It sounds as if it originates from in the driver side dash somewhere in the cabin air system. It has been a kind of funny thing we laugh about on the road, but I should probably get it taken care of before the extended warranty expires. Problem is I've talked to nobody that has ever heard this problem. I would think that it is the hinge on a damper or mixer.

Anybody have any ideas? Anybody know where I can find a breakout/schematic of the cabin air system?

Thanks

I just bought a ‘18 TRD Sport and hearing the same thing. At first I thought it was one of my kids with their tablets. I‘m going to follow this thread to see if you figure it out.

 

[LCnAZ]

Just back from road trip vacation in hot climate, and I learned a good bit...likely narrowing down the problem.

What I did to pre-empt/test my theory that this is a blender door on the driver side, I adjusted the driver side temp to "Lo" (max cold). I modulated the manual flow limiters on the two vents for comfort. With about 20 hours of driving, not a peep. So this tends to suggest that I took away the need for something to move to modulate temperature in the dash. Now the question is what exactly. I've got my mechanic digging up a depiction of the system in the dash so we can start to connect some dots.

 

[900exdriver]

Just back from road trip vacation in hot climate, and I learned a good bit...likely narrowing down the problem.

What I did to pre-empt/test my theory that this is a blender door on the driver side, I adjusted the driver side temp to "Lo" (max cold). I modulated the manual flow limiters on the two vents for comfort. With about 20 hours of driving, not a peep. So this tends to suggest that I took away the need for something to move to modulate temperature in the dash. Now the question is what exactly. I've got my mechanic digging up a depiction of the system in the dash so we can start to connect some dots.

Any updates on this? Every once in a while I’ll still get a noise from underneath the dash.

 

[LCnAZ]

Any updates on this? Every once in a while I’ll still get a noise from underneath the dash.

Not yet. We have a guy "inside" Toyota we're checking with to see what we learn about the system.

 

[LCnAZ]

I chatted with a fellow in the supermarket parking lot on the weekend who has an '18 Sequoia. I asked him if he has any air conditioning issues. He said he has a...squeak from time to time. I mimicked the sound, and he said "That's it."

So this is not a one-off. I had the local dealer look for Toyota bulletins on it today. There is no specific actuator or anything in bulletins. They do say that they do have to replace actuators in them. The problem for this issue for me is duplicating it. They may have to drive around a half hour before it might do it.

 

[nautiquelover]

Never heard it in my 21 here in VA. I'll definitely keep an eye out though for any issues.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

I chatted with a fellow in the supermarket parking lot on the weekend who has an '18 Sequoia. I asked him if he has any air conditioning issues. He said he has a...squeak from time to time. I mimicked the sound, and he said "That's it."

So this is not a one-off. I had the local dealer look for Toyota bulletins on it today. There is no specific actuator or anything in bulletins. They do say that they do have to replace actuators in them. The problem for this issue for me is duplicating it. They may have to drive around a half hour before it might do it.

Ever figure this out?

I’ve got the issue too and there is a recent thread on Toyota nation about it. No solution though.

Here is a video for those who haven’t heard it:

 

[LCnAZ]

Ever figure this out?

I’ve got the issue too and there is a recent thread on Toyota nation about it. No solution though.

Here is a video for those who haven’t heard it:

That's it. Nope. Never figured out specifically what it is. We hear this most, naturally when on an annual long summer trip. Thankfully, we only heard it a couple of times, and it was not as loud. We actually chuckle about it now, as our "little creature" that appears occasionally.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

That's it. Nope. Never figured out specifically what it is. We hear this most, naturally when on an annual long summer trip. Thankfully, we only heard it a couple of times, and it was not as loud. We actually chuckle about it now, as our "little creature" that appears occasionally.

Thanks for the confirmation.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

My 08 does this, but it's lower like a fart...blend door servo actuation. I bet if you got under there and put some fresh toyota body grease or silicone grease on it, it would likely go away.

 

[LCnAZ]

My 08 does this, but it's lower like a fart...blend door servo actuation. I bet if you got under there and put some fresh toyota body grease or silicone grease on it, it would likely go away.

I'm all ears if you can put our eyes and hands on it under the dash.

 

[k9FZJ80]

I have a similar issue with my 2014 Sequoia. It started with a whistle then progressed to a whistle with a rattling. It only happens when I turn the vehicle off after running the AC. I've been dealing with it for over 6 years. The one thing I did notice was that my rear AC didn't blow when it was just a whistle. Now (last couple years) that the whistle is accompanied by a rattle, my rear AC blows fine. Go figure.

 

[VentoGT]

I've had an issue twice with my 21 Sequoia that sounds like a bird but a whoowhoowhoowhoo/vibrating at the same time. It is loud. And very random. I only have 17K miles on her but it has happened twice and is super annoying. Following this thread

 

[LCnAZ]

FWIW...I've this Labor Day weekend driven on the road for five hours in hot weather...and didn't hear a peep. Go figure.