Just starting making the noise a couple days ago. I popped out the cabin air filter and felt around for any loose debris at the fan blades that might be causing the noise, but I didn't find any.

Then I started manually changing the fan speed just to make sure. Yep, chirps like a canary at 2 bars, silences totally when it's running faster.

My guess is that the bearings are going on the fan motor. Car has about 93k on the clock. I'm less than 6 months out of warranty, alas (which is why the light bulb behind the defroster buttons just blew out, too. But I digress).

Sound right to you? And if so, is this part shared with any Hondas so I don't get soaked on the replacement part?

 

Can you explain the chirp? Do you ever park under a tree? Leaves can do strange things if they can get past the filter.

 

Nope, 007, I don't think that's it.

It's a high-pitched, rhythmic (though syncopated, every second or two) noise that you'd expect from failing lubrication or bearings.

The leaves, sticks, etc., possibility was why I took out the filter and went fishing with my hand (which is just big enough to get the back of it gouged up on all those sharp plastic edges -- ouch!). I've had noises before that were for that reason, which is why I was confident that was probably the problem. But it felt clean as a whistle.

 

What are the chances of getting to the motor and blasting a can of WD-40 in it?

 

I was gonna suggest likewise - cured the idler bearing on my S2000's screaming belt tensioner!

Or silicone spray or somesuch?

 

for the vid

 

Having a similar problem, what did you do for the fix? Im going to replace my hvac blower but dont want to get a replacement thats louder than the OEM part, at least not noticeably louder.

 

IMO, this is a part where it would be very easy for a third-party supplier to make a fan that looks and reads identically to the original, but doesn't perform or endure quite as well. I didn't want to listen to second-rate merchandise droning or do this job again, so I grabbed my ankles for the Acura replacement fan. It's visibly nearly identical to the fan for some Honda models (notably one for some vintage of Civic -- I forget which), but the shape of the enclosure edge was just different enough in the diagrams that I lacked confidence the Honda part would fit.

I saved a bit of coin by ordering it from one of the Acura dealers that sells parts online. Then, having even less time and talent than money, I had my local independent mechanic put it in.

 

And that worked out? Sounds like it did OR no sound at all would be my preference. In my short time here, ive seen a few dealers listed that sell online. Ill give one of them a shot. Thanks for the info.

 

Mine is starting to make noise too (108k on the clock)

 

I am also getting a chirping sound at low speed but not at idle. I ordered new drive belt tensioner and idler pulley, while also rebuilding the power steering pump with new seals, but was wondering if the chirping noise might be from the fan. Do you have the part number?