A/C blower making a loud rumbling sound

Tiny
CEPKS
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 200,000 MILES
Very recently, my A/C blower has started to make a loud rumbling sound which lasts for about a minute, sometimes a bit longer. Increasing the blower speed to maximum and then decreasing it cuts off the sound. There is no issue about cooling or A/C performance. Any suggestions are most welcome if I can fix it myself.
Monday, July 29th, 2019 AT 5:24 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

Sounds like the blower motor is failing. The bearings are worn causing the noise.

Yes, you can replace it yourself. They have these in any parts store.

Roy
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Monday, July 29th, 2019 AT 6:01 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,001 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros. Rumbling is commonly a sign that something has gotten into the squirrel cage on the blower and throwing it out of balance, or more likely in your case is that the bearings in the motor are worn and letting the motor shaft orbit inside them instead of spinning on its central axis. Sort of like a spinning top as it slows down and starts to wobble. Speeding it up causes it to stop the orbiting and then it works correctly.
I have also seen a few of these that failed because water got into the blower but those usually squeal from the bearings or they slosh when turned on.

To remove the blower motor is very easy to do on your car. If you go under the dash on the passenger side you will find a panel that has a few screws and push pin fasteners. Remove it and directly above it is the blower motor. It has an electrical connector and three screws that hold it in place. Remove the connector and the screws and lower it out of the HVAC box.
If you find nothing obvious like fuzz/water/a mouse or? Then it is likely the bearings are the problem.
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Monday, July 29th, 2019 AT 6:02 AM
Tiny
CEPKS
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Hi ASEMASTER6371 & STEVE W,

Many thanks for your prompt replies and valuable inputs.
I have already just patted the blower assembly after taking down the panel and it seems that the sound has stopped. Perhaps there was some foreign matter in the blower causing the imbalance and leading to the sound. Will monitor for a few days and if all is okay then that's it and it will mean the problem is solved.
If it comes back will replace the motor.
Many thanks again guys, appreciate your inputs.
Best regards,
PKS
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Monday, July 29th, 2019 AT 10:46 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
You are welcome.

We are always glad to help.

Roy
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Monday, July 29th, 2019 AT 10:48 AM

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