Blower motor started making noise a few days ago

[RMcG]

It is kind of a low pitched noise, that is lower pitched than the usual "air blowing noise" that is heard when the fan is on. And this low pitched noise is loudest on speed 4 (the most air), not as loud on 3, and really not noticeable on 2 or 1.

The blower fan is still blowing air, a good thing, because I need the defrost capability; it's critical. I could survive, perhaps uncomfortably without much heat in the cab. I'm concerned that the blower may stop working suddenly. Should I do anything? Is there anything I can do to prevent the blower fan motor from just stopping working altogether?

Thank you,

R.

[NYC-SE]

Perhaps a leaf, piece of paper, etc. made its way into the fan. I have had that happen before (but not on the Yaris). If that is the case it really doesn't harm anything but is annoying as hell. Sometimes it will work its way free or you can disassemble the dash and try to clear it manually. Not fun.

Alternatly it could be the blower motor bearings going bad. If so it will get progressively louder. And again you would have to disassemble the dash to remove and replace the blower.

[stykerdk]

Just pull the cabin filter out, then you can look right in the blower and check it for leaves and other debris.
And also turn it by hand to check its running free.
Its simple to change it in a yaris just look up in the footwell in the passenger side.
Three screws and unplug it.

[WeeYari]

You can of course check for a foreign object but my guess, based on the fact mine has been noisy for a few years, is that it is just aging.

[RMcG]

OK guys,

Thanks for the advice. I see that there are a couple of youtube links for changing the indoor cabin filter, example: here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwHDSfch9RU) . I have never changed this filter. Maybe it does have debris in it.

Does anybody have any suggestions as to where to get a new filter or blower?

Thanks,

R.

[BLH]

You may also find their is no cabin filter in the blower housing. Letting foreign objects to get into the blower housing.
My 2007 shipped with no cabin filter in it. Just the empty filter space where it is designed to fit.
I got my cabin filter at a local auto parts store.

[ex-x-fire]

If anything Walmart carries those filter too.

[BIGTAZ351]

Mine on my 2010 Blazin Blue car started "chirping" at 91K which is common of electric motors, I replaced the HVAC fan, it was $70 on Rock Auto for the assembly...and its pretty easy, once you take the lower glove box out on passenger side...

[SECProto]

I had this issue last fall, pulled out the filter and saw some rodent had made a nest above the air filter (gross!)

fix was easy - open glove box, squeeze in sides to remove, pull out air filter and replace, unscrew the white housing for the blower and vacuum out any foreign debris i could see. Been working fine ever since!

[RMcG]

Thanks to everybody for the advice. I plan to look at the filter on Wednesday. Good to know that it is easy and not too expensive to replace the blower fan. The noise is intermittent, so I am hoping it is a leaf or something. I will let you know. I wonder if the filter can be washed and then put back in, at least temporarily.

If it is a bearing that is shot, I wonder if they rebuild these fans/motors. I hate to throw stuff away that can be fixed without too much trouble, although my guess is the blower is mainly metal that can be recycled.

Thanks again for the advice, I get so much from you guys! You help me be self-sufficient and save money.

Isn't this forum great?!

R.

[SECProto]

I plan to look at the filter on Wednesday. Good to know that it is easy and not too expensive to replace the blower fan.

If the blower fan itself is gone, which is unlikely, you'd likely want to replace it - could easily get one from a junk yard if it's not damaged.


I wonder if the filter can be washed and then put back in, at least temporarily.

That is unreasonable (unless you have an after-market filter that is designed to be cleaned). Filters are made of a fine material, when they're done it's because there's too much dirt trapped in the weave of the material, blocking airflow. The filters aren't designed to be backflushed. If the filter is dirty, just buy a new one, they are not expensive:
https://www.amazon.com/EPAuto-CF10285-Replacement-Premium-Activated/dp/B014TYRQUY

[komichal]

So guys - do I need to take off the dashboard to replace the blower or not? :)
Mine Yaris is 2007 hatchback...

[RMcG]

I just looked at the filter by removing the lower hinged glove box compartment (passenger side of course). When I checked the cab filter compartment there was nothing there. Interesting since I bought the car new from a Toyota dealer 11 1/2 years ago. So it is possible to ride around without a cab filter for many years. I wonder why Toyota never put in a cabin filter.

Komichai, in answer to your question this link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTA3hLGLciY) shows how to take out the blower fan in a 2007 Yaris. You have to remove a panel under the dash board, but not the dashboard itself.

R.

[komichal]

Thanks RMcG!!!

[rayfloyd170]

if it is intermittent and tapping it will make the low-pitch noise go away then the motor is almost due for replacement. just time will tell when it will stop

[IndestructibleYaris]

Mine made a noise same problem and a napkin had got sucked into the blower wheel somehow. It was very easy to pull out. The lack of cabin air filter caused my problem

[rayfloyd170]

i just replaced with a new denso part and fixed the old one. I didnt know prior that this can be eternally repaired. :) could have saved a lot of bucks.

LINK ON REPAIR
https://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?p=843657#post843657