AC blower motor problems

For the last few years when I start my truck the AC doesn't usually come on, but when I reach under the glove box and tap the bottom of the blower motor it kicks on. I finally today learned how to remove it. There wasn't anything in it, just a tiny leaf, but the fan part had some grime and dirt. Is this normal? Does it sound like I had a loose wire or could it be something else? Also sometimes while I'm driving it changes speeds on its own, slows down for a minute then kicks back into full blast. No problems with the temp though, always cold still. I can just order a new one from one of the online stores like car parts I guess, its only about $65 I think. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Oh also many times when I have the air recycle button pushed in there is this really loud clicking noise coming from the motor area, so I generally leave that off. Not sure what that means.

 

When you have to kick the blower motor to get it to work it's time for a new blower motor.

 

1 fan not turning on is due to a weak electrical terminal connector. You should replace it.

2 the clicking noise is a common problem, there's a fix, but will sound again. Just replace the unit with an after market.

 

Does it come on at all when set to high? if it only works at high then your resistor has gone out. You can get a new one at auto parts store.

 

Are there any particular brands or specific websites you recommend getting a new one from? I'm pretty new to doing repairs myself. As for the resistor question, the different speeds work when I switch through them, so I don't think its the resistor.

 

What is the fix for the clicking noise problem?

 

Any particular brands you recommend?

 

Not sure how important AC is for you but here in Arizona I don't go cheap with AC parts. Toyota replacement parts only for the blower motor. I did one after market once and regretted it. It was loud, clicked a lot, didn't output as much as the stock one did. Swapped it for OEM and I was happy.

 

I usually go with the debo brand from xl parts.

 

Yeah I live in central FL so its really important here too. The TYC brand isn't part of Toyota is it? It gets really good reviews on Amazon.

 

Here is a thread that talks about replacement https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/replacement-of-hvac-blower-motor-resistor.8310/
This is will fix it only if the fan works on high only, the short is the high is set to get direct power where the other settings have an amount of current restriction. The resistor is under the dash on the passenger which can be a little hard to get to. I found the one I got from O'Reilly to work just fine. It is one of those parts that either works or it doesn't so there is no "high performance" version

 

TYC is aftermarket and that's the brand I tried first. It worked but again didn't seem to output as much air, was loud and ticked. (I'm very picky about rattles/squeaks). It was a lot cheaper than the Toyota one. Also replace the resistor when you do replace the blower.

 

The different speeds work fine, do you think I really need a new resistor?

 

It's not a very expensive part and I'd just swap it out while I'm in there since you are putting a new blower motor in. My resistor caused my AC controls to melt where it connected and caused me lots of issues.


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ac-control-wires-hot-melting-plastic-behind-dash.446790/

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/blower-motor-squeek-chirp-on-low-fix.28355/

 

Sub'd

 

The clicking noise is the recirculation actuator motor binding up. Common problem with Lexus/Toyota. To confirm condition. Remove the black cover below the glovebox. Press the recirculation button and look for the actuator that's twitching.

 

Which black cover are you referring to? I currently have the blower motor removed at the moment. But yeah before that when it would click I could see the air filter twitching it was so rough.

 

Before the removal of the blower motor. When switching fan speed from low to high.... Did the blower motor change speed?

 

It's the air inlet control servo motor between the blower housing and cooler evaporator assembly.