Cabin Blower Motor Makes Noise After Dealer Inspected Cabin Air Filter?

TECH2020

MEMBER
2024 HONDA CRV
1.5L
4 CYL
TURBO
4WD
AUTOMATIC
16,500 MILES

After visiting my honda dealership for a free oil change & tire rotation (warranty stuff) I now hear a loud vibration noise from the cabin blower motor when set to medium & high. They took a photo of the cabin air filter that had leaves on it. Apparently much of that was not cleaned and made its way into the vent system and now is in/on the fan`s blade(s). How can I remove the fan and clean it myself? I do not trust the dealership to do it right.
Thanks!
Tom

Monday, January 12th, 2026 AT 9:21 AM

7 Replies

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
15,606 POSTS

Should be real simple, remove the trim panel under the right side of the dash. Then the blower motor has 3 screws that secure it into the heater case. Remove it and dump out whatever is in it. Inspect the blower fan for any damage, if none found go inside the housing with a vacuum and clean out anything you find. Reverse the process to put it back together.

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Monday, January 12th, 2026 AT 3:04 PM

TECH2020

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45 POSTS

I saw somewhere that a bracket behind the glove compartment had to be cut? Anything like that?

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Tuesday, January 13th, 2026 AT 5:12 AM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
15,606 POSTS

No cutting that I recall. It was, remove trim panel remove 3 -T20 screws, flex the duct out of the way and drop the blower out. Takes about a half hour. The hard part is cleaning the crud out of the system if any made it past the blower. For that an air compressor or a good air blower blowing down through the vents can help.
If the duct in yours is stiff, it comes out with 2 screws.

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Tuesday, January 13th, 2026 AT 9:24 AM

TECH2020

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Yes, that down-blowing duct is very stiff and I hope I didn't mess it up by pushing out of the way. (Made a small crack sound ) made it hard for me. I would have removed it if I knew it was in by two screws and knew where they are. I also didn't expect the Torx-head screws but I do have bits for them. Once the screws came out it was reasonably easy. Wish I would have thought to blow the air (shop-vac) more into the ducts with the motor out. Got a fair amount of leaves from the fan and the surrounding area. Tested after re-assembly and it sounds normal again.
Thanks for your help!

P.S. - Would be great if you would upload a diagram that shows removing the down-vent screws. I would also like to know where the leaves are getting in, I'll make a screen(s) to keep them out.

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Tuesday, January 13th, 2026 AT 11:05 AM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
15,606 POSTS

The duct screws are on each end of the duct. One on top on the left end and the other on top to the right side. The air intake is under the cowl area in the space between the firewall and the HVAC case. Most vehicles have a large open grid that stops larger critters but can still let small ones and smaller debris through. My SOP on cabin filters is to use a narrow vacuum nozzle, I reach in and flatten the top few rows of the old filter, slide the nozzle in and vacuum out whatever is there. Then remove the filter. Usually gets 99% of the junk. For a really handy blower that really works and is very portable, take a look at the Wolfbox MF100 or MF200 They are like holding a tornado in your hand. They are great for moving a lot of air fast. I use my 100 just about daily. Fair warning though, they move serious air, use it indoors and you might discover dust bunny lairs all over the place!

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