Last night some critters got in my ventilating fan and apparently made a nest. There is a lot of vibration. How do I get at the fan to clean it out? I assume I have to remove the glove compartment. If so, how do I do this?
---MIKE---
>In the White Mountains of New Hampshire
>> (44=B0 15' N - Elevation 1580')
I neglected to mention that this is a 2001 Prism.
---MIKE---
---MIKE---
********************** I do not think you have to remove the glove compartment to get at the fan, but it may be easier if you do so. If you have the type of glove compartment where the whole thing tilts forward, squeeze the back left and right corners of the compartment to allow the compartment to flop completely forward and then look for screw that are holding the hinge/pivot in place.Before you go through the trouble or removing the glove box, look under the passenger side of the dashboard. One of those battery-operated head lamps comes in real handy because it doesn't get in the way as much as a drop light.
Under the passenger side of the dash is the air inlet. If you are not sure which one is the inlet, move the fresh-recirc lever back and forth with the car shut off and you should be able to hear the damper moving. Somewhere in the vicinity of the air inlet, you should be able to see the outline of the blower. It will be cylindrical because the blower is shaped like a squirrel cage / hamster cage. Look for screws or bolts holding the cover over the blower cage. Remove those screws and you should be able to get at the blower. While you have the cover off, spray some disinfectant or a water and bleach solution to get the cooties out of there, and if you can see the drain hose for the evaporator, stick a wire through the hose to make sure it is not clogged.
Good luck!
Thanks Ray.
---MIKE---
Did you find it?
The best way to get at this is recline the passenger's seat all the way into the back seat, lie on it on your back with your head under the dash.
This is the easiest way to get to this thing!
Hachiroku...been there MANY times!
---MIKE---
---MIKE---
********** You're welcome and good luck!
After you have put on a few decades of age....that maneuver is out of the question...LOL
50 years old, I can still get my head under there!
I'm 77. I better not try it!
---MIKE---
---MIKE---
You're still young if you're even thinking about making repairs yourself!
I guess I'm not THAT young. I took the car into the Chevy dealer today and It's a good thing I did. The whole system was clogged with leaves etc. They have to remove the heater core, AC core, recharge the AC, replace the blower motor resistor etc., etc., etc. Estimated cost is $788. I think what happened is that one night I accidentally left the driver's side door open all night. An expensive goof! They showed me the blower assembly and it was packed with debris.
---MIKE---
---MIKE---
I don't know why critters like the area around the blower motor and heater core so much, it must seem like a nice protected area to them. At least your heater is functional before the onset of cold weather, especially in the White Mountains!
core so much, it must seem like a nice protected area
especially in the White Mountains!
Is the car parked under a tree that drops leaves on it often.
Leaves pile up at the bottom of the windshield and that's were the fresh air intake is located. Especially small stuff like pine needles.
Dan
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