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Fan "flutter"

Discussion in 'Prime Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by IABoy987, Jan 27, 2024.

  1. IABoy987

    IABoy987 Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Began to notice random noise from the car cabin fan. It sounds almost like the noise your bicycle made when taping a playing between spokes (boy am I old!!:LOL:) Sound seems to rise then begins to fade away. Sound can start after long drive or when just turned on. Weather does not seem to factor in.
    My best guess it means end of life for fan motor or sometime else going on. Unfortunately the sound is random and does not persists, so it is futile to take it to dealer$hip for diagnosi$..And if it is the motor, bet it won't be easy to get at without extensive tear-down. :(

    Any brilliant thoughts?
     
    #1 IABoy987, Jan 27, 2024
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Start by removing the cabin air filter, which is directly above the blower. Then you can inspect the blower with a little dental mirror, or even a phone camera held the right way.
     
    #2 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Jan 27, 2024
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  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Not sure about a 2018, but in the generations I'm used to, people have easily changed blowers without a big teardown, just a bit of contortion to do the work down where the passenger's feet go.
     
    #3 ChapmanF, Jan 27, 2024
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  4. sylvaing

    sylvaing Senior Member

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    My 2002 Honda Odyssey had a similar problem. It turned out it was debris that made it into the fan enclosure. Removed those debris and it was quiet again.
     
    #4 sylvaing, Jan 27, 2024
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    might just be some debris, have you looked at it?
     
    #5 bisco, Jan 27, 2024
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