A/C Noise

Hey everyone,

So my 07 tacoma is starting to develop a sound in the A/C unit (36K miles). If I had to describe it, like a card stuck in a bike wheel. It is only noticeable in the low and low medium setting. Any ideas? Am I still under warranty and can just have Toyota fix it?

 

The cabin air filter? Where is it located?

 

Wow thats easy. I'll go do that right now and report back.

 

Wasn't there just a thread where a member pulled the motor, cleaned it and re-greased the bearings?

 

You say "AC Unit" but do you really mean the blower unit?

As stated above it is likely debris in your blower housing.

 

Yea I just mean air conditioning/blower.

 

sounds like crickets

 

I have this too, driving me nucking futs

 

I just went and cleaned my cabin filter, boy was it dirty, but after cleaning it out and reinstalling it. I turn on the fan only to hear this annoying little cricket chirp. Headed to the dealer next week.

 

Better get at it before it starts sounding like the cricket on crack, my 07 with abount the same mileage is doing it too!

 

I've found the reason for the ticking sound. My dealer kept saying "normal" and "there are leaves in the fan". I kept telling them otherwise until I got pissed enough to just take apart the blower fan and see where EXACTLY the sound was coming from. The sound is coming from the metal faceplace which covers the wire spool around the spindle of the fan. the faceplace must be balanced properly because it holds in place the spindle which is rotating for the fan to blow. when the faceplace is off balance by one of two screws that holds it in place, the fan ticks like a MF'er....as you balance the plate, the tick goes away and is as quiet as a mouse.

#1 I took my glove box completely off making sure to release the springy thing first on the right side towards the passenger door and then just popped her out.

#2 I then got out my trusty ratchet with a 5.5mm socket and removed 3 screws on the underside of the blower....the fan will slide out easily. leave the wires attached (be careful as the fan is still runnin' lectric)

#3 let down the door that holds the cabin filter in and remove filter. now you can reach up in there and see if any of those mysterious leaves are present. blow it out with your air compressor or just root your hand around in there to get anything out.

#4 hold the black plastic fan housing in your hand carefully and reach over and turn your a/c on the low setting (BE CAREFUL as that thing is quick to get away from you and can take a nub off pretty quickly) make sure you can hear the sound coming from the assembly in your hand. If so, move to step #5.

#5 remove the covering with a phillips screwdriver (4 screws - i think) and remove that cover to reveal a silver metal cover with TWO (2) lubed screws. THESE ARE THE SCREWS THAT MUST BE BALANCED. Take a pair of vice grips and grab the black housing with them so you can get your hands away from the moving fan and so you can hold it steady. then use your phillips screwdriver on one of the two screws and notice how you can make the sound/tick worse as you tighten one of the screws.....too tight and the fan slows down and/or TICKS, too loose and the fan slows down....(spindle getting in a bind).

There is a point where the fan will turn fastest and the sound will disappear magically. You'll see what I'm talking about once you're in there adjusting the screws to find that perfect point.

#6 re-assemble and enjoy!


I hope this helps a few people that have this ANNOYING sound!

sometimes it just takes getting pissed off.....damn delphi.

Why didn't they have metal stoppers under those screws or not have the spindle held still by a moveable plate......argh....


I think that over time, those screws are backing out at different rates, which makes the spindle bind up and/or ticking sound occur......
__________________

 

Alright just went outside and did this. Takes a little playing around with the screws to get it just right. Now I cant hear my fan!!! Just be careful if you try this not to strip your screws. I took a few pictures if I get around to it tonight Ill try to get em up. Thanks TacoNut!!!!

 

Well I took it to the dealer, they said it had debris in it, and they cleaned it out. but soon after I left it started again, so I am going back tomorrow and complain some more, hopefully I will get some good answers tomorrow, I will be working with the service mgr, and he has always treated me well.
Also can you believe the astronomical price that Toyota charge for the cabin air filter? 37 bucks, give me a break. I got mine on ebay for under 10 bucks shipped to the door.

 

Will this adjustment eliminate the crickets? Last night my fan started chirping on the medium setting that I use the most, and it's getting worse fast (at 1,900 miles I guess the truck's getting old!). Don't know if it's because of the really cold temps or if it's starting to wear in, but it's annoying. Anyone killed their crickets successfully?

 

Please yeah post the pictures, I need to this too.