Recirculating button creates noise

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Aug 22, 2020 | 09:02 PM

tommybitt

Thread Starter

Driver School Candidate

Joined: May 2019

Posts: 6

Likes: 1

From: NJ

Recirculating button creates noise

2004 RX330, air conditioning and heater both work fine. But oddly, when I push the air recirculating button, I hear noises in the dash. Clicking and slight chirping sounds. Sounds like something is moving in the ductwork. When I turn off recirculating, sound goes away.
Any thoughts????

Aug 23, 2020 | 01:13 AM

Bluerobotz

10th Gear

Joined: Jul 2020

Posts: 12

Likes: 3

From: NSW

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommybitt

May sound stupid, but have you checked the cabin air filter? I had a similar thing with a car years ago, which was unavoidably parked under trees at work. Turned out there were a heap of leaves in it, and it only rustled when on recirc. 😒

Aug 23, 2020 | 03:26 AM

tommybitt

Thread Starter

Driver School Candidate

Joined: May 2019

Posts: 6

Likes: 1

From: NJ

Thanks Bluerobotz. I’ve been meaning to change the cabin filter.
I hope that fixes it, but the clicking/chirping sound comes from behind the instrument panel as well as above the glovebox, so I’m skeptical. Unless leaves have made their way all up in there.
Sounds more like a mechanical clicking than rustling.

Aug 24, 2020 | 02:14 PM

bjluczyk

Driver School Candidate

Joined: Oct 2012

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

From: WI

My guess is that the servo that operates the recirculating damper is failing, causing it to hunt for its position. I currently have a similar problem with my mode servo and I'm not looking forward to replacing it. The blend servos to control the temperature for the driver and passenger are fairly accessible. The mode servo is pretty high up on the driver side. I haven't hunted down the recirculating/fresh air servo since mine is not making noise. Search around for Lexus A/C servo and you'll see that you have plenty of company with this issue.