Dead thing in truck ventilation system

Yesterday a terrible smell showed up in my 1998 Tacoma 4x4 4 cylinder truck. Seems to be coming most strongly from the passenger side dashboard air vent. Turning the fan up all the way now makes a terrible sound and the whole dash vibrates, so I think whatever it is, it's probably in there.

I don't know a ton about fixing/working on cars, but I'd rather not pay out the face for this and there's typically a two-three week wait for the two mechanics that serve my rural town anyway. I'm hoping to get this addressed before it's a full on disaster. Any suggestions of how to get in there myself/where I should look for the little creeper?

Thank you!

 

As I recall from my 1st gen days, the fan / blower motor / filter are all in the footwell of the front passenger space and weren't super difficult to get to. I think there is a writeup somewhere on this site about accessing that space.

 

Easy Fix. Remove glove box and 3 10mm bolts holding fan and motor, unclip wire connection.

 

Found this youtube video which really helps. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma_A-hBivcA

 

I'm not sure you actually need to remove the glovebox, but yes 3 bolts and the wire connector, then the fan drops down.

Best way to keep critters out is to get in the habit of leaving the vent on recirculate to block the opening to the outside whenever you park it.

 

YES! I got it! Dead mouse plastered on the inside of the squirrel cage. Looks like it was a pretty miserable end for the critter. But fortunately looks like he really did just get in there yesterday or the day before.

 

I'd imagine it would be akin to one of us crawling into a wood chipper.

 

Or the tilt-a-whirl from hell.

 

Yeah, I don't think you need to, but taking out that and the side panel sure did make it a hell of a lot easier to get to and unscrew.

 

Thank you DrZ for the factory service manuals link posted on your profile page.

 

Classic! Lol

 

Pics or lies!