Hey Guys - sorry for the basic question here.... but I let the Acura dealer perform what they called an 'HVAC' service - essentially replacing some air filters and such (I know... I'm a sucker.....).

Anyways, since they did the service, the fan makes a noise - almost like a piece of paper is caught in the vent. Does anyone know how to access the fan so I can take a look? It seems to be coming from the main dash in the center.

As an aside, my Acura dealer is 1.5 hrs away from my home so not easy to simply return.

Thanks for your answers - this is a great forum.


'Lovin' my Acuras! Can't wait for 2013 MDX (line my up if it is big enough).

 

Probably a leaf. Do you park under a tree ever?

Your cabin filter is behind the glove box and should be able to be accessed without tools. Maybe take it out and see if you could use a vacuum to dislodge whatever is in there.

 

Absolutely what I was going to suggest. It may have become dislodged when the cabin air filter was replaced and fell down into the blower cage.

 

A friend had a similar noise and it turned out to be some deteriorated foam. Once removed, no noise.

 

Had this happen to me as well after a visit from the dealer. Although I told the service manger I would change the filter myself. Anyway, after I removed the cabin filter I was able to reach in with my fingers (my hand would not fit in the cabin filter slot) spin the fan blades around until I felt the leaf, and then removed it with my finger tips. A small flexible vacuum would probably have worked better. The dealer did not shake or blow the dirt and leaves off the filter before putting it back in. My guess is they dislodged the leaf while sliding the older filter back into place and it got stuck in the fan blade. Good luck with yours – that sound can drive one nuts!

 

The exact same thing just happened to me, it seems like the dealer only cares about selling cabin filters and charging $54 for them. When they put in the old filter, a leaf or something fell through. I took the cabin filter out and when I spin the fan by hand I can hear it hitting the leaf but cannot touch it.

Will they have to take the whole dash apart to get that fan out or can they just get to it by taking the glove compartment out?

 

dropping the fan assembly is pretty easy. it's done from underneath. remove the plastic footwell (upper) panel, it's got the small light that will need to be disconnected. once done, you'll see the housing and 3-4 screws that need to be removed. if i recall, it was pretty straightforward.

 

 

Sorry for the extra small photo. get under the dash and you'll see what needs to be done. there are three screws and two wiring harnesses that need to be disconnected (one for the fan and one that is just in the way of dropping the fan). it practically falls right out.

 

Is that what that is? I thought it was a Chinese word.

 

This is what I needed, I am getting a squeak, almost bird like sound while the fan is spinning....Im glad to hear its fairly simple to get to the fan.

 

Just pulled the HVAC fan assembly out, blew all the dust particles from behind with a compressor, sprayed silicone lube behind the fan while spinning the fan and reinstalled...hopefully that will fix the squeak.
I do have another question, I tried to get the fan off the spindle but didnt want to break the fan - how can I get it off to get the lube in there better if my fix doesnt do it? Or is there another way to lube everything up? Im grasping at straws here because the squeak is pretty annoying and I love the quiet ride the RL provides so I rarely have the radio on
thanks for the tips

 

From what I've heard (in more ways than one), if there's an object blowing around in there making noise, getting it out is easy-peasy. (I've done it myself, from above, by hand.)

But once the fan starts squeaking, lubing it will not be a lasting fix and can even run the risk of bigger problems (like, maybe, fire). Only a new squirrel-cage fan really fixes that, and I grabbed my ankles for one of those too. Unfortunately, even though it's visibly almost identical to Honda merchandise, the Acura part is marked up to about 3 times the price. But, when you drive luxury, you gotta pay to play. And I console myself that there are still a lot fewer and cheaper parts replacements with this car than with German iron.

 

Yeah, that first supposed fix only lasted a few hundred miles and 7 days. It started squeaking again yesterday so i took it out again and took it apart, lubed it with wd40....we will see how long that lasts. As for replacement part, did you just go to the dealer? On rockauto it shows its the same part as a few honda vehicles.

 

I ordered the replacement part online, but unfortunately I don't remember who from.

 

Just did this. 15 minutes with a 6mm nut driver. I bought this one and it worked great!
New 2003 2007 Honda Accord Sedan 2004 2008 Acura TSX Heater AC Blower Motor | eBay

 

Its quiet? Give us a 30 day followup please.

 

Well i got rid of the squeak, then yesterday i noticed what sounded like a motorcycle off in the distance, sound coming from the blower area. Today I took it all apart lubed it up, thinking that would be the fix, that didnt do anything. I felt all around the inside where the blower goes, there isnt anything hitting the fan that I can tell. But the fan doesnt make any noise when turned on out of the mount. Any ideas?

 

Droids72-

What year RL do you have?? I have an 05 and want to know if that Honda fan you ordered would fit.

Thanks.

 

I was curious too so i did a bunch of cross referencing, it does work. In fact the list is long of fans that will work in the rl coming from 04-12 honda accord, ridgeline, odyssey and acura tsx.

 

It's a 2005. Not everybody on eBay had the correct fitment info on that fan, so the one I ordered did not come up as a 2005 rl. Did a bunch of cross referencing and bought it. Works perfectly. Still quiet

 

Good for you, drolds. I tried and failed to cross-reference it. Nice work.

 

I just installed this fan; its quieter than the one that came out, thats for sure.

 

Piece of cake, right? Even is lifespan is 50% of oem you can get a few of them. Almost 30 days and all I can hear is air moving when it's on.

 

was reading another post about the merits of expensive OEM vs aftermarket, and it reminded me of how much I saved with this aftermarket blower fan. Approx 9 months later it still works perfectly with no discernable way to tell if its oem or aftermarket...

 

2020 update here. Think it is a good thread because this is a simple repair, and maybe common? YT videos for Hondas, Acuras for many years are available. Even if the fasteners are different, or fittings and orientation are a little diff. , it is still a simple concept and not hard to figger out.
Good link and recommend to Ebay item that fits. I balked because pics were scanty. Bought a used, OEM one for 40 bucks that included the resistor. Maybe a cheap shortcut, but it is so easy to replace- I'm taking the risk.
Just as an update to add information: OEM from AcuraPartsWarehouse is 330 for motor, and no resistor(didn't see it on parts fiche?) I could replace this fan motor 6 times while I own my 2005.
I know, PITA and being cheap but I'm ok with spending 2 hours on a Sat. for the car I love. My other ride is an old motorcycle and I'm constantly fiddling with it and enjoy it.
Thank you for the posts, and thank you RL09 for sending me here

 

I sent you to the search engine, you got here all by yourself