HVAC fan flutter

My fan has always had a very faint flutter, but it’s never really bothered me. On a recent couple of sub freezing mornings it started chirping at low speeds (most obvious at notch 3). Still not a big deal, but a quick google search proves it’s a common issue (bad bearings). I’ll inspect the cabin filter and see if there is any debris in the fan, before deciding if dropping it is necessary.

For those of you that have replaced the fan, did you go OEM or aftermarket? I’m leaning aftermarket if these things are that fragile.

Thx!

 

It is kind of a whizzing or light whistling sound? My 2021 does that as well and has always bothered me a little. Mine is also most noticeable on speed three.

 

I guess it could be described as such. YouTube comments reinforce this issue is rather common.

 

It’s like a $140 part and it takes like 10 minutes to replace.

I would clean it thoroughly before you do.

 

I'll check the cabin air filter and look for debris down in the fan. If it requires removal for cleaning I won't do it until the weather warms up this spring. $140 sounds about right from my research if it ultimately needs replacing.

 

Cabin air filter wont fix it. My fan has always been noisy. No chirping though, normally that indicates bad motor bearings in the fan.

 

Yeah, I only meant I’d inspect the cabin air filter because you have to remove it to look at the fan/motor from above.

 

my 2019 has always had a weird sound on anything above low... fluttering... id describe it as... Ive always wondered if a thicker cabin filter would solve this...

 

I replaced my noisy fan with new OEM Toyota one and it is not as loud but still is noisy. Save your $140 and turn up the music.

 

Also, there is no bearing but rather a direct drive motor/fan assembly.

 

My fan flutters some at low speed too, but I figured it’s normal since there are so many people noticing it.

 

When I run my heater it sounds like a little leaf is flapping down in the dash somewhere. Fairly faint and very fast. Maybe I should first check for a leaf...