Heater Squealing
 

Intermittently, my heater fan is starting to have a high-pitched squeal - most notibly when on the lower settings. Does not happen all the time. When it starts to squeal I turn off/on the heater and it is good for a bit, but, then starts up again. Not sure what exactly's going on, and wondering if this can be a cheap fix if I nip it in the bud, or, requires replacement of whatever is going bad?

Thanks!
James
'97 4Runner SR5 4x4 Manual, 89k mi.

Tighten your belts under the hood

I think he is talking about the electric blower motor that I believe is inside the dash. Mine started doing this a little bit since it's been cold out and goes away after a minute. I'm not sure how to fix this either so here's a free bump.

It's an electric motor. It spins. Moving thing tend to make noise sometimes. Cold weather makes things expand differently. Motor bends and twists. Not aligned perfectly. It's will be just fine for another 20 years.

mine squeels bad when it is really wet and moist outside. I pulled the blower, cleaned i and sprayed some lube in the shaft of the motor. It quieted down for about a year but is coming back. Just gonna replace it.

Mine does that also. Every now and again it will squeak on the lowest setting. Annoying, but it goes away so I forget about it. I will try to spray some lube in there one of these days.

The motor has sleeve bearings, and the bearings can be opened and the wick inside can be re-oiled. Spraying lube is a very temporary solution, re-oiling with something thin, like ATF, is about as permanent as it can get.

any info on taking out the blower? mine is really starting to piss me off to the point i'd rather freeze my a$$ off then listen to it chirp. also any info on greasing the bearings you speak of?

should be similar to the 4runner. Just look and you will see how easy it is. 3 screws and a plug.