Leaves stuck in HVAC fan HELP ASAP!!!

Topic: Leaves stuck in HVAC fan HELP ASAP!!! (Read 1535 times) previous topic - next topic

Leaves stuck in HVAC fan HELP ASAP!!!

November 08, 2012, 01:05:16 PM

So some leaves and misc. managed to get through my cowling and into my HVAC. The fan would spin but would make a loud whining noise, but now it's either jammed or broken. I want to take it out to see if I can clean it (or avoid taking it out, but cleaning it. Any advice or instructions on how to get to the fan? Can I just take out the fan without tearing out the whole thing? I need help ASAP because things are freezing over at night now and I have no defrost or ANYTHING as of now.

Leaves stuck in HVAC fan HELP ASAP!!!

Reply #1 – November 08, 2012, 06:33:56 PM

Remove the glove box and look at the heater box under the passenger side of the dash. The section that has the recirculation door/intake houses the blower and can be removed seperately. Three screws if I remember, one up top, two lower. The motor end of the blower actually faces the firewall and can't be seen from under the dash. It will come out with that recirculate housing, then can be removed to clean the "squirrel cage" of debris. Electrical connector with heavy black and orange wires. One vacuum hose going to the recirculate door actuator. Then vacuum out the bottom of the heater box also. Done it several times, this is where the mice like to go.

Leaves stuck in HVAC fan HELP ASAP!!!

Reply #2 – November 09, 2012, 09:56:22 AM

Freak'in pack rats!!!! I would have a couple cats if it weren't for my dog's being so prejudice! Sorry, just a little rant... I'll go away now.

Leaves stuck in HVAC fan HELP ASAP!!!

Reply #3 – November 10, 2012, 07:32:58 PM

Okay I did what you said, and I got the two bottom screws off, but I didn't see a screw up top but a 7/16 bolt with a washer that I took off. I can't find another screw, and I've taken quite a few things off. There's one that's tucked in way to the side along the inside of the dash and I can't fit a rachet or anything back there. So far, it'll all wiggle but won't come apart.

Leaves stuck in HVAC fan HELP ASAP!!!

Reply #4 – November 10, 2012, 07:37:17 PM

No wonder it's stuck on there, there's an adhesive holding both sides together. So....now what?

Leaves stuck in HVAC fan HELP ASAP!!!

Reply #5 – November 10, 2012, 07:50:15 PM

The top bolt goes in a mounting bracket that is high up. If I can find a picture of a dash that is pulled I will post it. I'm trying to remember, there might be a foam seal that is stuck on (that you only have to deal with the first time.)

Leaves stuck in HVAC fan HELP ASAP!!!

Reply #6 – November 10, 2012, 08:11:51 PM

The bolt in the red circle is the top one. That is the blower housing, the motor is on the other side near the firewall.
(Photo credit: CoolCats.net)

Leaves stuck in HVAC fan HELP ASAP!!!

Reply #7 – December 02, 2012, 10:05:50 PM

Thank goodness I didn't have to tear all of this apart. What ended up happening is I pounded on the housing around it a few times and it pooped out a bunch of debris. It has happened a couple more times but I'd just crank the fan to the highest setting and it'll spit out a leaf. Odd because there are no leaves up top on the cowling unless they've already been sucked in. Either way, it's fixed and I didn't have to tear it all apart :)