Really hard to describe so I posted a quick ~15 sec video where you should hear it twice. Sounds to me like a servo type motor / actuator is trying to move something and failing,


I know the AC servo issues are commonly discussed. So I turned off the climate system completely (as it is in the video) and it still makes the noise. I checked to make sure there were no cd in the head unit. When I turned the car off I heard the noise one more time after everything was off but then it stopped.

I have only had the car less than 2 weeks, 2014 lux with now 54k miles, while I don't remember hearing the noise until yesterday, it is possible it was there before, but I don't think so. I def drove with the stereo off for a while when I first got the car to listen for noises like this one.

 

It does sound like its coming from the CD player.

 

I found this: https://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/fo...ise-loud-fans/
The noise could definitely be fan bearings, I spent a lot of time building PCs when I was younger and remember similar noises when you pressed on one of the those small electric fans or they were bad.

I was thinking about getting a Hamilton replacement screen, guess this would be a good "while the dash is apart" repair

 

Think I heard that noise before in other Lexus models, and it was the hard drive?

 

Not sure if a resolution was found for this poster, but seems like a similar sound.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-4th-gen-2013-2020/859436-center-media-console-making-whining-sound-w-video-link.html

 

That does sound like the same sound. Unfortunately the OP did not mention the ultimate reason. Seems like most of the thread was discussion of servos, but I don’t think that makes sense if the climate system is completely off. Someone in the thread at the end also mentions the hard drive. But I don’t think that sounds like a spinning hard drive issue, but who knows. I found some videos, but it sounded more like a clicking noise.

I still think the stereo fans are the top candidate.