Blower motor squeek / chirp on low *FIX*

Just bought a 2011 and is doing the same thing already. Was going to take it to dealer but I'll just fix it myself.

 

I was thinking the same thing. I get a random tick noise when on the lowest setting coming from the fan area. I was thinking about just ordering the tsb kit ($18) and doing it myself. I hate spending money to fix something that would be under warranty, but it is almost worth it to not have to take the vehicle in, wait or coordinate a ride, risk them scratching the dash up, etc. They only thing I saw in there that made me nervous was lengthening the wires....I really don't want to cut and splice. Any thoughts? BTW, here is the tsb http://www.scribd.com/doc/28543771/T-SB-0092-10 .

 

Matts11, There is absolutely zero wire splicing or cutting. You just squeeze the clip on the white connector and pull. It pops out just fine. (well maybe with a little wiggle). You use a large screw driver to unhook the wire harness on the left side of the housing. 3 screws later and the whole unit comes down. It's really a piece of cake and should be a 1 out of 5 stars on the ease of getting the blower out.

Working on the rest of the project is a little more difficult but go slow and follow the directions that others have done. It really is a very simple project. I think changing the oil is more difficult. I can take mine out, disassemble, degrease, grease, assemble, and reinstall in about 20 minutes. I've done it a half dozen times though.

Don't do it fast. Take an hour or so the first time and go slow. Watch for the springs on the brushes.

Good luck.

 

Took my '11 in today to get the new blower motor replaced. In and out in 45 minutes. They got to troubleshoot it last week when I got my oil changed and ordered the part then. So nice to have a quiet truck again. We'll see how long this lasts.

 

Are you sure they replaced the motor? I would assume they just did the tsb which is he foam kit....what does your work order say?

 

I did this today, too. It's nice to have the fan on and no noise. I wonder how long it will last.

 

I bought a 2010 DBL CAB TRD Sport in August 2010 - about the time it needed its first oil change in Feb. 2011 the fan motor was chirping constantly. It started out as an occasional chirping sound - usually when the fan was initially turned on at the lowest speed - but would eventually stop. Finally got to the point that it was constant chirping at either lowest or second lowest speed. At first oil change I mentioned this and dealer said they had a replacement fan and sound deadening kit they could install while the oil was being changed. They changed it and eveything was fine for a short time. I knew the replacement fan wouldn't last and the sound insulation kit was useless because the fan would occasionly chirp when first turned on within a few months after installation. It has now been about 7 months and the fan is pretty much constantly chirping when on the lowest speed - and the chirp comes and goes at the second speed. It will eventually become constant and I'll get it changed again. Based on my experience it looks like if you get one of these crappy fans they will go about 6-8 months before they are constantly chirping. I'll ask if they have a real fix for it yet when I go to get it replaced again - if not, I'll make them change it every 6-8 months for as long as I own the vehicle. I've still got 2 years left on my warrany - so at this rate that will cost them at least 3-4 more fans. Plus once my vehicle's warranty expires I believe that Toyota replacement parts are warrantied for 1 year after installation - so unless they can come up with a fan motor that lasts at least a year they will be replacing my fan motor every 6-8 months for the next 10+ years. I don't put a lot of mileage on the truck - so I usually get the oil changed about every 6 months - so won't be that big of a inconvenience for me. It's kind of ridiculous though - I have had much less expensive vehicles that I have driven for 8, 10, 12+ years and have never had a fan make noise like this - or even quit working.

 

Update: Mine is still silent as of today, but the real test will be when it gets cold out.

 

Yeah - the original fan motor in my truck got real noisy into January/February - so I thought that the cold weather had something to do with the chirp getting worse. BUT - the replacement motor started chirping in July-August - so I don't think it matters. Sounds like a lot of people have had no issue with the fan motors - guess I just got two crappy ones. Third time is a charm.

 

I've had mine replaced twice by Toyota, only to have the squeak come back...guess I'll have to do it myself! Thanks for the write up, I'll check out the pics when they get posted.

 

We'll see. Give it a few months.

 

This thread just reminded me that its been well over 8 months since the dealer has ordered my new blower motor. I can't believe its been on back order for that long! After reading this thread it looks as if i'll have to fix it myself.

 

Okay, I had the new blower put in about a year ago and had the Noise kit installed. Well.... my chirpping is back! However, I have tried to take the blower apart to tweak the screws, but I can't get the black piece off. I have undone the three screws, but i can't get that piece down.... i don't know if the Noise kit changed things up or what? Any ideas? Has anyone else had the noise kit from toyota added on?

 

If you're talking about the housing on the bottom of the motor it does stick a little. Just make sure you have all 4 (maybe 3. I can't recall) screws out. If you're talking about the brush holders then lightly pry on the 2 rubber mounts and the plug. They will come apart.

 

I even tried to unplug the plug to the blower motor and i can't get it out.... i am just afraid of breaking something.

 

If you're only trying to remove the plastic motor cap, there's 4 smaller phillps screws, plus you must also take off 1 of the larger set of 3 outer ones (if memory serves, the 1 closest to the driver side). The outer 3 are the main ones that hold the entire blower motor assembly up, remove those if you want to take the whole motor + fan assembly out for a rebuild.

I hope they didn't glue something together when they put the noise reduction kit in yours.

 

I wondered about that also. That would be a hit below that belt from the dealer. It would prevent fixing so that you would have to replace the blower.

 

This is a recall from toyota.. take it in and they will give you an upgraded blower motor.

 

I installed the TYC blower before the last winter and it remains chirp-free up to this day. Made a video of it to show the noise level. Engine is off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CucfAJ1QRE

 

i called my dealer today....they had no clue that this was a recall from toyota!..is there anywhere on the internet i can print out to show proof to dem?