I just recently noticed a noise whenever my fan is on. It almost sounds like when a washing machine has had it, kind of like a bearing grinding noise. Its not horribly loud, but its very consistant and it does it whenever the fan is on (i.e i can turn the fan off and have either a/c or heat going and the noise is not made)

I was able to find this part:
http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchan...de=21487-A3233

at courtesy, but im wondering if there is anything else that could make the fan do that, that motor is a steep price to just eliminate the noise

BTW its an 01 AE w/ 81K Thanks

 

There are basically two things that are likely to cause a heater fan to make noise: a leaf sucked into the intake, and a bad bearing. If what you have sounds like a bad bearing, most likely it is.

If a bearing is shot, you will probably have to replace the motor. However, the motor you linked is for the radiator fan... from your message, it sounds like the motor you need is for the heater/a/c blower. Try searching for "blower motor" instead of "fan motor," if in fact that is what you need.

Unfortunately, I think the blower motor is even more expensive, at least for a new one.

Junk yard? Make sure they will let you return it if the replacement is no better.

If it were mine, I would try to take the motor apart and see whether the bearings can be cleaned and re-oiled. This is not a recommendation - I haven't tried it and I don't know whether the motor can be (nondestructively) disassembled... I'm just saying that's what I would look at first. I would also have a low expectation of success.

 

Mine makes noise too. When i turn right the noise stops. I am pretty sure it's the bearing. I was just wondering how hard it is to take the thing out.

 

there is a TSB for this...you need a new cover for the fan motor

 

here you go...
http://maxima.theowensfamily.com/tsb/NTB99-071b.pdf

 

a few years back I had the same noise comming from the fan.. and they just took like three leaves that were sucked in........