Not the average blower motor question

2011 Tacoma

Heater/AC blower motor occasionally totally inoperative in all speeds including high (this seems to be a different problem of the well covered "only works in high" question)

Pounding near the blower motor (just driver side of glovebox will usually bring it back online if you pound it hard/long enough)

Lights on the heater control panel are not working either and do not work when the fan decides to work again after being beaten.

any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Nick

 

Have you tested voltage to the blower when it is in need of a beating?

 

Unplug the connectors and check for signs of melting. Even the control panel plug has been known to melt.

The panel just pulls off.
See 1st picture here for how to remove the panel. It’s easy.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/stereo-upgrade-basic-how-to-2nd-gen.571/

 

Check the blower motor 2 wire connector for melting also:

 

you may have carbon buildup on the motor brushes, if that's the case a new blower motor will solve those issues. You MAY be able to take it apart to check and confirm those suspicions but I don't think Toyota sells brush/spring assemblies as a separate piece anyway so you'd likely have to go to a hobby shop or hardware store to match up parts.