Write up: I finally had it with my SQUEAKY A/C!

I was driving back from the beach today and was ready to rip my A/C controls out and throw them out the window. My Blower motor is RIDICULOUSLY obnoxious on the two lower speeds, so I when I got home I thought I'd do a write up on it. You can also use this information to replace a defective blower as well.

Just a quick disclaimer: I am a commercial A/C technician by day, so I'm experienced but I don't necessarily work on vehicle equipment. On one hand, I worry that this advice might void your warranty on this equipment (and if you are too and you're not confident in your ability to do this, don't), but on the OTHER hand, this is a really easy fix that's well worth it to me. The dealer, and most any technician, would simply replace this part and charge you for it, the mark-up AND an inflated labor time. If you do this yourself, it's free.

Sorry, the pictures are a bit blurry... taken with my phone they look pretty good to ME!

All you need:
1.) WD-40, spray lubricant or bearing oil
2.) A 5.5mm (7/16") socket or nutdriver
3.) A phillips screw driver.

First, you must remove the blower assembly. It's located behind your glove box and held up by 3 of the 5.5 mm screws. Just unplug (gently) and remove these screws with your 5.5mm or 7/16" socket. You can remove the glove box to make it a little easier, but I didn't bother. All my crap would spill out everywhere.



Then, once you've got it out, there are 4 phillips screws that hold the back cover on. Remove these to get to the actual blower motor.







The end bell is now exposed. You can remove the two phillips screws holding this on and gently remove it, revealing the bearings and motor windings.





Now, carefully oil the bearings. You can also clean the end-bell out if you'd like. Be CAREFUL not to get anything on the windings of the motor than could be conductive enough to short the windings. You'll go from a squeaky motor to one that just wont turn at all. I only oiled the bearings closest to me, in effort to avoid this. This was enough repair the problem, however.



Now, replace the end-bell and cover and reinstall by repeating the steps in reverse. If everything went well, you shouldn't have any more SQUEAKING!

 

I'm gonna have to try this in the next day or so.

 

THANK YOU!!!! PLUS 1 TO REP THIS WAS DRIVING ME NUTS on the lowest 2 settings... usually when the temp got lower it would start. I pulled the filter and touched the fan and figured it must be the bearing to that fan but didnt know how to access it. Im still under warranty but even after I get it replaced I now know how to fix the most annoying squeak (chirp, chirp, chirp) since my leaf springs.

 

I'm waiting for it to cool off later this year to see if my A/C squeak returns. I'll check here but I also saved this thread for if I have to tackle it since it goes even a bit further.

 

Thanks for the post and your pics get the point across. I used Liquid Wrench White Lithium Grease in a spray can...the straw (like WD40) helps direct the lubricant...just be careful to not go crazy with it. I just completed the procedure (as described here and in another post) and it's quietly purring at low fan speeds now...I just hope it lasts...other posts seem to indicate that lubrication might only work for a while, and that bearings might need to be replaced eventually...
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/28355-blower-motor-squeek-chirp-low-fix-2.html

 

Thanks for the info. Using your post and another similar post, the job only took about a half our. Now I won't go nuts this winter. +1

 

Hey guys, just found the TSB on another thread. My blower just started squeaking and it's only a little less annoying than being at the dentist's office.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/130232-squeaky-heater-fan.html

+rep to the OP for the great how-to for anyone that is out of warranty.

 

A Lot of my friends who got the TSB done have had the issue return. Just follow the write up and use some white lithum grease and you are golden. (at least I have had 3 months and counting ::fingers crossed;:

 

Thank you sir! I am doing this today!

I will try some Lock lubricant. WD-40 wears off therefore there is a chance of the squeaking returning. Lock lubricant doesn't wear off

 

Awesome....i will be trying this on my week off. Thank you.

 

Great thread excellent write up.. Fixed that darn squeaking that's been going on since I bought the truck.

 

very cool i have to do this to my 2010...

 

Worked great thanks for the write up. I will only say its a 7/32" socket (5.5mm) rather than 7/16" not nit picking though as you saved from driving anymore aggressively

 

Great write up. I am going to do this after I am done healing from shoulder surgery. Thank you for the awesome info. Mine just started .

 

Sounds like i've got a pissed off cricket in the heater of my 2010 with nearly 90k miles. I'll be doing this today! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 

Good write up

 

Just what I was looking for!! Was about to torch the whole dash to kill that damn hamster! ... Always running on his little squeeky wheel...

thx! +1

 

@Redmann

 

My truck has been making this noise since the day I bought it. Summer is officially here in Florida so I said enough is enough and followed the instructions on this thread and it worked perfect. Thanks a bunch, now I won't have to kick my cat out of frustration.