Blower motor squeek / chirp on low *FIX*

I think the issue is that they haven't changed the design, so a new motor will be a short term fix. I'm going to tear mine down at some point and grease it up. It chirps on the first 2 settings now.

 

I bought my 2011 in August, and I had a case of the squeaky fan too. I brought my Taco down to the dealership, complained about it, and they ordered me a new fan. I brought her in a couple of days later, and they installed the new fan. Parts and labor all for free.

 

2011 Tacoma DC with 6200 miles and I just started hearing it this morning. I couldn't figure it out at first and I was moving things on my dash. But as soon as I shut off the vents, I heard it slow down and stop. Now I have to read through this thread and see what the latest is.

 

I've been procrastinating about taking in my 2010 Taco for the repair because of all the crazy construction in the DFW area by the Toyota dealership. I finally took it in yesterday with 36167 miles on it. I found out that the extended warranty will only replace it if it's completely out, but the service manager pushed it through for me anyways. . The bad news is that so many people are getting them replaced, the part is on a two week back order. The Customer Service at Freeman Toyata is simply amazing. I had it in for an oil change and they knocked out the other recalls and recall inspections at the same time.

 

i had mine replaced 3 times so far, and they said that on the 3rd one that it was a completely different motor and that 4 other trucks were coming in to have it swapped out that same day. 2 weeks later and i still don't hear any chirping so hopefully it works out alright this time

invoice says FP Number is

$179 87103-04043 Genuine Toyota Blower Motor Sub Assembly

87103-04043

 

nice write up

 

I have 60k miles, will the dealer do it for free or I have to do it myself? how much is the part?? I hope mine doesn't break anytime soon since it is winter time!

 

I'm going with this. I had my replaced earlier this year when I first heard that they had the alleged 'new design'. I'm now out of warranty and the squeaks are back, worse than ever (I get squeaks on the first two settings and occassionaly on the 3rd). The balancing trick works for about 15 minutes with marginal help, then returns back to squeaking.
I'll try the greasing on the first page and try posting back.

 

You may want to go by the dealership first. the TSB didn't come out until October so your motor was likely replaces with the original model.

 

Just did this yesterday. Didn't separate the fins just greased the top fitting. CHIRP GONE! The little springs/magnets were a huge pain in the ass, but with some patience (and a beer break) it does go back together. Used a thick, low-temp white lithium grease.
As soon and you take the motor out it is pretty obvious why there is a problem...a sticker that says "Made in Taiwan"

 

Just got the updated blower from the Factory. It is the Third Gen motor and I don't have the Chirp anymore....knock on wood. It is noticably quieter than the last motor. I already had it replaced once in the past and it came right back.

 

It seems impossible but I have lived with the chirp for a couple years in my 2010. In the last month it stopped chirping. No idea why it stopped but it used to do it like clockwork. Is is possible it just wore down till it got smooth and stopped chirping?

 

Weird, I'm glad you posted this, keep us updated on what happens down the road. I dealt with one of my (two) bad blowers chirping for 8-9 months, the noise seemed to fade out and then come back occasionally. Maybe due to temperature or something. I hope your's stays silent. Mine is a 2010 too.

 

Originally Posted by tasz
Hey guys, 2008 tacoma and been making noise from the cabin fan for the last two years. took it to the dealership multiple times till i got fed up and fixed it my self. every time they just oil the bearings

read the forums and greased the bearings front and back. This made the noise go away for a while and then it came back again.

The reason for the squeak is the brushes that ride on the motor shaft, that is why it ticks every revolution and the fast it turns the faster it ticks. if you remove the fan and then take off the metal back cover of the motor it will expose the brushes (carbon pieces with the springs behind them that are wired to where the electrical connection plugs in.)

The reason that all the previous suggestions work for a while and then come back is because you end up adjusting the bushes slightly so that they dont make noise but eventually it wears back in and ticks again. The same thing happens when you get the blower replaced under warranty. It will be quiet until the brushes wear in all the way around the motor shaft and the edges start to catch, making the ticking sound.

To fix this, remove the brushes from the motor and use a file to file off the leading edges of the brushes to a 45 degree angle. the brushes are very soft and this is ease to do. reinstall and put back into service and you will have silence finally.

I almost sold the truck I was so annoyed with this but silence is golden. I actually had to hit the switch the other day to see if the fan was on because i was just so used to hearing it all the time.

good luck and there are pictures of the brushes in the first post on this forum which show them very well.

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Hey guys, 3 months now and all still quiet. This is with the fan running every day.

To get rid of the noise i filed the leading edge of the brushes and i didnt write it in the first mail but i actually filed the back edge also. I would say that i filed it to a 45 deg angle about 1/8" to 3/16" down and then also streached the springs about an extra 1/4" to put a little more force on the brushes.

I will update you if the noise comes back but give it a try.

original posts Nov 16 and 24

 

I got mine change last month with the "new" motor under the latest TSB and now I have a noise when the fan is on high when it gets cold out, like 20 or below.

 

I'm taking my 2011 in tomorrow. Hope to have it fixed soon! That damn chirp drives me nuts.

 

brought mine in last week and they told me the part would be in this past tuesday, still no call back from them as of today for my new motor :-\ the guy at stealership did say "we've been having a problem with the tacomas" referring to the motor...

 

Just got back from the dealership. They didn't have any new motors in stock so they set up an appointment for Tuesday to swap it out. They also volunteered to look into the rear leaf TSB despite the fact I already have a 1.5 AAL installed.

 

Replaced with part number

$179 87103-04043 Genuine Toyota Blower Motor Sub Assembly

87103-04043...so far it works great

 

are you guys doing it yourself? since im out of the warranty, I can do it myself since IT looks easy to take off and install. That chirp annoys me... but has anyone gotten to the point that the motor breaks??? I might just let it ride until spring since I don't have a garage