Noise from 2004 ES330 When Heater is on
 

If I turn on either the heater or the A/c I hear a funny noise from the front right almost behind the glove box. A noise like if a hamster was running in a wheel (Not kidding). Kind of like a squeaking noise. Obviously if I put the fan setting to the highest I could just about drown it out. I was wondering what the noise is and how can I quiet the noise.

feed the hamster! j/k it sounds like your blower motor is going out, not usually a fun task to change.

You don't think that it may need a hit of wd-40? Is there any points that I may possibly be lubricated? Where do I find the blower motor?

Instructions or Manual would be very useful

I now know what it looks like just not where it is.:uh:

ime, when they make noise they are about to go out. that may not be the case here but most vehicles you need to remove the dash to get to the blower so changing is the best option. you don't want to spend all day r&r the dash just to find out the wd-40 did not work and have to r&r the dash again to install a blower motor.

r&r = remove and reinstall

my lex is 11 yrs older than yours so idk if you need to remove the entire dash or not but most vehicles require the whole thing come out to access the blower box.

Any directions on how to start? Or Ideas?

personally, i would recommend a good repair manual or dealer parts guide to go by. if you are just feeling like rambo, get a 10mm and a phillips head and start taking the lower passenger side dash off first. sometimes you can access the blower motor there on some vehicles, if not you can at least get an idea of where its at once you remove that lower cover and glove compartment area then go from there to get to the motor.

So maybe try to get to it just as I would be replacing the Cabin Filter? I guess just go from there.

correct. you should see the back of the blower motor sticking out of that black plastic evaporator core and heater core housing that goes from behind the radio to the passenger side kick panel area. its somewhere on that big black box/housing

Attached is a diagram of the 2004 ES330 HVAC unit showing the squirrel cage blower. The cause of the noise could something simple like a bit of debris caught in the blower. "Should" be fairly easy to remove the blower after removing the trim panel under the dash on the passenger side. I recommend not using WD-40 on just about anything automotive and especially not on a component in a vehicle interior.

Thank You any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

Only calls for 18 minutes to intall)


REMOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL SAFETY PAD SUB-ASSY
REMOVE HEATER TO FOOT DUCT NO.1
REMOVE BLOWER ASSY
REMOVE AIR REFINER ELEMENT

http://library.motoralldata.com/alld...31147/98807853

REMOVE COWL WIRE NO.2
Remove the clamp and cowl wire No.2.

http://library.motoralldata.com/alld...31147/98807854

REMOVE RECIRCULATION DAMPER SERVO SUB-ASSY
Remove the 3 screws and recirculation damper servo sub-assy.

http://library.motoralldata.com/alld...31147/98807855

REMOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL NO.3 WIRE
Disconnect the connectors, remove the 2 clamps and instrument panel No.3 wire

http://library.motoralldata.com/alld...31147/98807856




REMOVE BLOWER MOTOR CONTROL
Remove the 2 screws and blower motor control

http://library.motoralldata.com/alld...31147/98807857

REMOVE BLOWER W/FAN MOTOR SUB-ASSY
Remove the 3 screws and blower w/fan motor sub-assy.
INSTALL BLOWER ASSY
INSTALL INSTRUMENT PANEL SAFETY PAD SUB-ASSY

Thank You for the Help.

My 2002 used to make a really high pitched squeak noise when on but it went away on its own, but I hardly ever use the AC or heater.