Dash Whine

[weiln12]

OK Guys, got a question I can't find an answer to after searching.

My dash has a very annoying whine coming from the dash. Here are some descriptions and symptoms:
-it's sounds deeper in the dash, like back under the windshield vents
-it does not change frequency with fan speed or vehicle speed
-it stops as soon as I turn off the HVAC
-it only does it while the OUTSIDE temperature is cold (<~35*-40* F), it stops when it warms up OUTSIDE and starts when it gets cold OUTSIDE, including on long trips where the temperature changes
-it goes away when I turn left, and gets louder when I turn right

This past weekend I cleaned and lubed the HVAC sampling fan. No real change. The whine sounds deeper in the dash than the HVAC control though, so I wasn't pinning my hopes on this fixing it.

It doesn't sound like a blower motor since the frequency doesn't change with fan speed. Is there an external sampling fan or something?

[itscoo2pyopants]

sounds like the blower motor.

[Joshdub]

Yup, sounds like it could be the blower.

[weiln12]

No, see, you both can't be right. I mean, since when would the blower motor ever fail? That's just not going to happen.

Wait...I have an extended warranty on this thing that covers the A/C and it's components. I wonder if the blower motor would be a part of this?? Hmm...me thinks maybe I should take it to the dealer and see what they say.

[Ricky Bobby]

Wasn't cn90 or someone posting a theory that perhaps with a long enough straw on your canister of lubricant you could snake it through the dash by removing the CD player/MID and get some lube on the blower motor itself?

[David.X5]

Or remove the windshield and dump a 55 gallon drum of lube Through the defroster vents? The cleanup would still be less time consuming than removing the entire frigging dash to get to that fan!

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by David.X5

Or remove the windshield and dump a 55 gallon drum of lube Through the defroster vents? The cleanup would still be less time consuming than removing the entire frigging dash to get to that fan!

+1...

Our '01 is chirping like Jiminy Cricket in heat.

It actually changes pitch/diminishes on different speed settings and under different 'angles', eg accelerating vs cruise vs deceleration. I suspect gravity/centrifugal force is playing some games on the spinning motor/bearing(s).

My Indie in Asheville looked much less than enthused when I brought up the topic of a new blower motor last time I was in there, in October. He said he fookin hates doing them and iit s the least 'fun' repair he does, and his pristine shop does only P Cars, BMWs and an occasional 'interesting' MB.

NEway, the ol' 01 is parked for the winter, asleep at the wheels, as they say.

I will deal with it next Spring or Summer, or Fall when the blower motor finally goes toes up. I would pay a considerable sum for that DIY of lubricating the bearing with a borescope or similar.
GL, mD

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by motordavid

I will deal with it next Spring or Summer, or Fall when the blower motor finally goes toes up. I would pay a considerable sum for that DIY of lubricating the bearing with a borescope or similar.
GL, mD

Well mD I just pored over the old threads, and found this quote from a former dealer tech:

"If under the hood you take out the cabin filter assembley and turn recirculation off youll be able to stick your hands inside and touch the blower motor"

If you can touch it with your hands I would imagine maybe we could lubricate it somehow, maybe some white lithium to the rescue, I imagine petroleum based lubricants would not last long - if I have some extra time this weekend maybe I'll pull the cabin filter housing and see if its visible/reachable - mines not making noise but I would like to know if periodic lubrication might give it longer life

[upallnight]

Sure that whining sound is coming from the dash and not the passenger seat???

[weiln12]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Sure that whining sound is coming from the dash and not the passenger seat???

That noise from the passenger was almost unbearable on the last road trip to Denver and back with the dash whining!

I like the 55 gallon drum idea too! Although it would be a bit messy. In my mind I've been playing with how I could get like a straw back there to lube the bearings.

I have said that if I had to take the dash out, which includes the steering wheel, I'm absolutely putting the heated steering wheel in. Even with gloves on, -4* is freaking cold.