WICruiser

I have a strange noise coming from the dash area, near the instrument cluster but I am pretty sure it is not in the cluster itself. It basically sounds like a fairly high speed electric motor with a bad bearing, kind of whining and chirping.

It starts when I turn the key to the on position - doesn't matter if the engine is running or not.

It is not the blower fan because it is there if the fan is off or on (regardless of fan speed).

I did a search and a few years ago someone had a very similar sounding noise and was directed to a small fan that moves air across a temperature sensor but there was no resolution posted and when I look at the PET I can't find anything that remotely sounds like this.

I have had the instrument cluster out a few times trying to solve some other issues (speedo / tach / etc.) but the noise started last fall and seems to be independent of the cluster other than it is in the same area of the car.

I did notice that the blower fan seems to push air out the top center vent regardless of where I set the position (defrost, dash, floor) but I am not sure that there is a relationship between these issues.

Any help would be appreciated.

Jim M.

If you get the noise with the key on and the engine and blower fan off then it almost has to be the temp sensor fan in the dash, (The round 1" grill to the right of the dash vents.) The last time I changed mine 5 years or more ago, it was about $80.00 and a real PITA to change. P/N 928.624.113.01 I think it's the same P/N for all MY's.

Angel84-928

Yeap, its a PITA. I took my center console out for other reasons but I can't see a way to R&R it without taking it out.

sendarius

PITA indeed. Mine is noisy also, but only intermittently.

The central console has to come out, and the motor/fan, feed-tube, and cabin air temp sensor are attached to the top corner behind and below the grill Jim mentioned. Be careful removing the console, as the 20+ year old console made from a 20+ year old plastic formulation can be frustratingly fragile.

If you want to take a chance, you can try squirting some lube (WD-40? Use the straw in the nozzle) into the grill, but I have heard that although it might fix the noise, the solvents can ruin/poison the air temp sensor.

WICruiser

OK, well at least I know what I need to start digging into.

Thanks for the advice on the 20+ year old plastic. I suspect that like most of the areas I have dug into on this car the age (and abuse) over the years will become more obvious.

I will let you know what I find.

Stan.Shaw@Excell.Net

I heard a similar noise, inconsistently. Since I have my center console out now, I am wondering if I can ensure if any of the 3 used sensor motors I have in hand are worthy of re-using. Any thoughts appreciated...

WICruiser

Draggin up an old issue but now that I have the center console out to work on HVAC vacuum issues I was to at least look at the temperature sensor fan but I must be dense because I don't see anything that I suspect would be the unit in question.

Does anyone have a picture or something to tell a blind old man what is parbably right in front of his nose?

WallyP

It's the little lump in the tube behind the round plastic grille just to the right of center on the dash. It has electrical wires running to it.

WICruiser

I will take a look, thanks for the insight.

Leon Speed

Stan,

When I did my HVAC actuators I took the sensor casing apart, cleaned the motor and lubed it. So far so good.

WICruiser

Found it, Thanks.

It helps if you look at the back side of the center console rather than on the dash area after removing the center console.

nsantolick

What else vacuum related should be tinkered with while one's in there?

How long does it take normally to remove the center console and such?

Any good links or write-up's for the process? If I have to do this, I'd better take care of it ASAP to keep the downtime to a minimum when it warms up. It's ALREADY my daily driver, but I intend to rack up some miles this summer...

WICruiser

Dwayne's HVAC write up covers all of the HVAC related access issues including removal of the center console with very detailed information and pictures.

I don't know how to insert a link but if you go to advanced search and search for "DWAYNE" as the originator of 928 threads you will find a list of very helpful information, one of which is HVAC related.