hi all,
My TL just reaches 85K miles and the blower makes really loud noise when I turn the fan all the way up.
The noise is really loud. It sounds almost like a blender.
This just recently happens. Last year it was fine and not this noisy.
Does anyone else have the same problem when the fan is at max level?
Thanks.

 

Not in my TL, but I've had the issue with other cars.

Pretty much all cars use a "squirrel cage" blower fan to move air. The fan can sometimes get gunk/junk in it that makes it loud, or the fan motor (just a simple electric motor) can wear out a bearing. Normal stuff.

Replacement motor/fan assembly is usually around $100. You might be able to go cheaper if you go scrapyard. They're under the dash, but almost always accessible for DIYers from underneath the seats (without disassembling the dashboard.)

There's a Tech Manual thread floating around that will have detailed instructions on removing the fan. I'd just try cleaning it first. Or take off the fan cage and give the motor some 12v to see if it makes the same noise while running without any load on it.

 

Also remove the cabin filter (via the glove box access) and make sure there's nothing rubbing against the fan. And that there's nothing rattling around down in there. If there's not, then it could just be a bad bearing in the motor which would require replacement.

 

You nailed it. I remove the cabin filter and sure there is a maple leaf with long stem laying on top of the blower. The motor hits the stem when i turn on the fan and makes it sound like a wood chipper.


I will check my cabin air filter every 15k miles from now on just to make sure it's clean and there is nothing interfere with the blower.
Thanks guys.