Squeak from Cabin Air Filter

2011 with 112K. At one point way back there was a bad bearing (or something like that) in the fan motor for the a/c and heater fan, and that was a warranty repair, have not had any more trouble with that.

Over the past several months there is now a kind of similar constant squeak coming from the area behind the glove box. I pulled out the cabin air filter and found acorns in it (how the heck did acorns get into my cabin air filter?!) but I emptied them out and put a new filter in it. The squeak stopped for a couple days. At this point if I mess with the cabin air filter a little bit the squeak will go away for a few minutes and then come back.

What could be causing that? How do I fix it?

Thanks!

 

Pull the filter and drive w/o it a day or two, and see if the noise stays stopped.

Then at least you've isolated a problem area for sure.

Then double check the installation (I think they have an air flow indicator) to make sure it's in correctly. Just in case upside down makes it touch something.

Also examine the door that seals the filter in place. It may be moving a bit and chaffing on the case?

 

Wait you mean whole acorns or bits and pieces lol? Can't help you with the squeaking but I think when some one with dirty shoes sits in the passenger seat, they leave behind dirt and acorns on the carpet. Correct if I'm wrong but I think the cabin air filter vacuums some air towards the floor cause it faces the carpet and it picks up these dirt particles.

 

I would NOT recommend driving around without the cabin filter. There is a lot more exposure to the outside than you'd think. Without the filter - if you get one piece of dirt, one leaf, or debris of any kind in that fan....you're screwed.

And yes...they are 'directional' and each filter will have an arrow pointing which way the air should flow. The airflow comes in from the top so the arrow should always point downward.

These cabin filters get dirty a lot quicker than you think. I remove / replace / clean mine once a year.

 

There were no filters in any previous generations, and none for decades in any vehicle.

While it is one of the 'modern' features that I actually like, I don't think a day or two w/o it in place is going to create a calamity........ all we're trying to do here is determine if that's part of the noise she's trying to cure. If you have better suggestions on how to accomplish that, let's hear 'em.

 

The 'routing' of air was a lot different in the older vehicles......

Just DON'T forget that you took it out. Out of sight...out of mind..... and then, you're replacing the blower motor/fan.

This thread might interest you.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...eglect-your-cabin-filter.315618/#post-8188473

 

it may be your blower motor. they are notorious for squealing. also so a search here and youll find ways to block off the air inlet under the front cowl where is wipers are. I used some old gutter guards that I cut to fit, keep leves, acorns and critters out

 

Agreed!