High pitched sound from fan

[pyr]

Recently I noticed that at fan speed of 1 (which I want to use mostly), there is a high pitched sound - it is not very loud (needs a bit of attention to listen to), it is a little disappointing. It is like whistling with tick tick tick.... It is probably still there at a speed of 2 but I think probably less noticeable due to regular fan sound. Has any of you seen or noticed this?

I had to break very hard (really hard) today since the guy in front of me stopped abruptly. And my heavy bag from the passenger seat flew forward (I don't recall if it hit the dash)... I wonder if that incident would have had the potential to cause anything...

I have started to like this car a lot - hence even minor things/rattles seem to "disturb" me

[SARdog6]

No, the bag hitting the dash wouldn't do anything, the air conditioning components are in the engine bay. But for future reference, keep anything unsecured in the foot well in the front seat or in the foot wells of the back seats to prevent that from happening again.

I've been getting something similar too, a high pitched whine whenever the AC is on, goes away when I shut it off. I'm going to have the dealership look at it when I have my inspection done next week, since I think it may have something to do with a temporary service bulletin.

[pyr]

Originally Posted by SARdog6

...keep anything unsecured in the foot well in the front seat or in the foot wells of the back seats...

Of course, learnt my lesson.

Originally Posted by SARdog6

I've been getting something similar too, a high pitched whine whenever the AC is on, goes away when I shut it off. I'm going to have the dealership look at it when I have my inspection done next week, since I think it may have something to do with a temporary service bulletin.

How old is your vehicle and when did this start happening? Please let us know what you find from the dealer. Thank you.

I am going to the dealer next week and shall ask them, but I suspect they may ignore saying it is nothing since it is not that loud.

[SARdog6]

Mine is a 2010 Corolla S, was built in February, I acquired it in December of last year from the Dealership, certified pre-owned with 30k miles on it. The noises started around March of this year and have steadily become more noticeable. I have about 53k miles on it now.

I will let you know what comes of it. I made a recording of the noise back in June and asked a service rep at a dealership what he thought it was and he said it could be the fan or AC related. It sounds like a fainter version of one of the AC units at my apartment that had a bad motor bearing.

I suggest you do the same, put the recorder up on the dash (don't hold it and drive, bad idea) while you are driving, or even better, if you can get the noise to start while the car is in park.

[pyr]

Mine is a 2010 CPO (certified) too which I got last week with 12K miles. Now that I know it is there I can hear it prominently, and I am a bit upset with it.

I am going to take it to the dealer today to see what they have to say.

[SARdog6]

Yeah, take it in before your warranty runs out, I wish I had gotten the extended warranty on mine, but if I do need to replace the AC compressor, I figure I can save some money by getting a refurbished one instead of dropping $2500 on a new one.

Other than that, I love my 'Rolla!

[pyr]

The service dept did not find the sound loud enough for them to do it under warranty. Just what I expected. I am quite disappointed.

I was ready to pay out of pocket and they said that could try changing the blower fan which would cost me about $200 (parts + labor).

The part number they gave me is 87103-02210. On ebay I find several ones for much cheaper but they say Interchange Part Number: 615-50122A.

How can I know if these two are the same?

Thanks.

[SARdog6]

Well that sucks! Did you tell them that other Corolla owners have been having the same issue?

I honestly have no idea what the difference between the parts are, you know more than I do about the parts and pricings. Did you go to www.toyota-parts.com? I did a parts number search to see what it is and they have it listed for $118. You could go to a junkyard and see if they have a 2010 Corolla there with that part, I'm sure you could get it for half that price, then go to a local mechanic shop and have them install it.
I'd search on the Car Talk mechanics files for recommended locations, especially if you don't want to pay an arm and a leg and sign over your first born child to the dealership for repairs.

[SuperchargedMR2]

I've not noticed any noise from my fan on my 09.

[pyr]

It may sound silly. But I really think this started after I had to break really hard and come to a abrupt stop recently. I really want to go back in time and undo it

Couple of Toyota service places that I went to fail to acknowledge this as an issue. But it does bother me and I am thinking of buying a blower fan / motor from ebay and give it a shot. There are several available [from salvaged cars].