ptspringer

When I turn on the fan or AC. The blower motor or some other contraption under my dash makes an intermitant squealing or warbling sound, like gerbils running on a rusty run wheel.

If any of you have experienced this, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. It makes me want to turn off the AC.

It sounds like a dry or bad bearing on the blower motor - or maybe some foreign objects in the air line.

Is there a way to lubricate the offending bearing w/o tearing apart the air system?

Help would be much appreciated,

Paul

2001 Nissan Maxima

tntmaxima

well dude i had a similar situation just recently and it was just the belt needing to be tighten after recently changing the harmonic balancer.......

flatcat19

I recently replaced a blower motor in my Maxima, due to the same sound. Bueno.

Peanuthead

iTrader: (9)

There is a TB article on this but I don't remember the number of it. I have the same problem in my '01.

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

You sure it's not the A/C compress clutch? Nissan seem to start making noise after a few tens of thousands of miles. the bearing is replacable but the dealer normally replaces the entire compressor!

dnozzle2789

i bought my max used...previous owner had a bunch of curious kids...i had a similar problem with noises all over the a/c system when it was on..looked over it extensivley and found everything from hickory nuts, peanut shells, nickles, a marble...etc.. lot of sounds coming from that housing that holds the passenger and drivers side fan for the footwell under the dash...

rvamaxima

iTrader: (19)

PM me if you need a blower motor. I have one in good condition off an 01.

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

There should be a 3 or 4 bolt panel to remove the blower and clean out the housing of leaves, acorns, rat droppings, etc

ptspringer

Thanks for the replies.

I'm pretty sure that it isn't the AC compressor since it comes on with the fan even when the air conditioner is off. Same with a loose belt.

Seems to be associated with running the fan - either the motor - or because of the air running through the ducts.

I will look for the cleanout panel and see if perhaps there is debris in the line.
Is it difficult to replace the blower motor?

jasonmax

iTrader: (2)

nope, it's very easy. take out the glove box, unscrew three screws, unplug the plug, put new one in, and you know how to put them back again.

ptspringer

I removed the blower motor and cleaned it. No foreign objects found in the line and the blower seems to run strong with no hint of a warble.

Will put my ear to the A/C compressor and also the blower motor when the noise starts again.

Also I'm not sure I've really ruled out the A/C after all. I will turn off the A/C when the noise is present but leave the fan on.

Feldman

iTrader: (1)

was the noise present with the a/c off but the fan on? That would be one easy way to narrow thing down...

Sounds like the blower to me though, after time the bearing wears out and starts to make the exact noise you are describing

streetuner

iTrader: (7)

i get this noise from time to time...very rare for me...only when the A/C is on i have the noise

ptspringer

Well the noise came back and I was able to run with and witout the AC on. The noise is definitely from the blower. Happens with the AC off.

Where's the best parts store?

XGaSpAcHo

i have the EXACT same problem! only makes noise with the AC on. sometimes is sounds like a squeaking noise and other times it's a louder, deeper buzzing sound almost.

have you figured anything out yet?

Feldman

iTrader: (1)

I bet rock auto has them and they seem to be about the cheepest out there. Auto zone or a local parts store would probably have one. I seem to remember buying a replacement blower for my accord from auto zone a few years back.

Bradbmx1

same here.... haha

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

Clean your fan housing, possible leaves, debris, rat droppings, etc...

nsnrider

iTrader: (59)

they also sell the blower motors on ebay...

MaxManOhio

Thanks for this info... Mine makes the same noise...

XGaSpAcHo

any idea what's causing it? have you tried anything?

XGaSpAcHo

i spent some time working on the issue this weekend. took the blower out and apart. then lubricated the motor. so far the noise is pretty much gone. i'm probably going to libricate it again at some point this weekend to eliminate it completely.

XGaSpAcHo

ok well i guess lubricating the motor was a bad idea because as of yesterday afternoon my blower completely stopped working

XGaSpAcHo

can anyone recommend a place to buy a new blower motor assembly? i looked on ebay and they have an aftermarket one for around $50. if it's not too much extra i think i'd rather get a genuine nissan one.

jasonmax

iTrader: (2)

no, those motors can't be lubricated. I tried, and mind died even faster.
mine put too much current on the system, it kept poping fuses, and after 5 sets of fuses, the motor amp died too.

jasonmax

iTrader: (2)

for a new on, it's about $250.

XGaSpAcHo

where were you last weekend before i took the whole thing apart and lubricated it?!

so you're saying it could be the fuse and not the actual motor that's blown? but then again if i replace the fuse it will just blow again, right? i guess i need a new motor now.

XGaSpAcHo

that's just great. i saw them on ebay for around $50 for an aftermarket one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-...mZ120306499902

is this a bad idea?

or they have one that came from a totalled car for $100

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HEATE...mZ160285263269

or autozone has is for $115.

http://www.autozone.com/R,114944/sto.../addToList.htm

i can't decide which one to get. i'm leaning towards autozone.

ptspringer

Well, I replaced the blower motor and it's as right as rain (that means it's good)

I got mine from ebay - from TVC like the one in previous post.

Seems to work fine, although mine was slightly damaged in shipping. All the blower motors are aftermarket

Gerbils are gone!

XGaSpAcHo

i was hesitant about buying from ebay because it wouldn't have any kind of warranty on it. with my luck it would break a month later. ended up buying mine from autozone with a lifetime warranty.

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

Did you have alot of leaves and debris at the cabin filter, evap, and blower motor? I just chg'd my cabin filters this past weekend and there was quite alot of leaves. But I vacuumed and blew it all out and even made sure the drain was clear and free of obstructions!

MaxSE2001

iTrader: (1)

i have a similar problem its a rattling constant noise coming from a/c compressor and gets quieter when i turn the a/c on. but a mechanic says its the bearing inside the compressor that breaks when its old.....can anyone help me out?

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

My a/c compressor makes a slight little scrapping like sound! ( it's only heard when next to a curb It's the bearing and the stealership changes the entire compressor...It's only about $450 minus labor....Mine is staying on until it breaks!

Feldman

iTrader: (1)

Spend the little extra and get one from auto zone. that way you have the piece of mind of the lifetime warranty and you will have it now!

XGaSpAcHo

already did. it wasn't that much more but it was about twice the price of the ebay one. and they don't stock it. so they have to special order it and it comes in the next day. shipping is free though and i can return it for whatever reason.

it's part number PM2729 from autozone in case anyone needs it.

MaxSE2001

iTrader: (1)

i couldnt say it any better but mine started low and now noise has increased dramatically but yea staying on....is there any way to repair it wit out changing the whole compressor??

MaxSE2001

iTrader: (1)

lol i work for autozone ima check that part out 2maro....

XGaSpAcHo

i picked mine up yesterday. and you have to splice the cables to hook it up. i don't want to do that. i was hoping it would have an OEM connector. looks like i'm going to have to return it and get the ebay one.