124- What was that squeeling sound behind the glove box?

[Paul T]

1989 300E with 188k miles; 15 degrees outside this morning, and there is a new sound, a squeeling motor or bushing, just forward of the glove box, and aft of the firewall. It is not affected by any of the blower, vent, climate control switches. I imagine it will go away once things warm up, but what is running away full time in there, whenever the ignition switch is ON, as in engine would be running?

[Mike Freeman]

The aspirator motor for ACC is located to the right of glove box below the vent register. Easy fix!
Mike

[softconsult]

Climate control aspirator fan. This very small electric fan sucks air from it's input which is behind a small plastic grill in the overhead lights / sunroof module and delivers it to the climate control temperature sensor. There is a tube that connects the fan to the overhead location.

Your car doesn't have a passenger airbag, so access to this part is simply removal of the glove box liner. Then it is easy to reach in and feel it. Replacing it might require removal of lower kick panel.

Probably noisy due to the freezing temperature.

Steve

[Paul T]

thanks for the responses. I gather that this motor runs full time, circulating cabin air to the sensor. Once it warms up, my noise might be gone. Thanks again.

[gmercoleza]

The motor does not run full time; it only runs when the HVAC pushbutton unit is switched to any position other than off.

[Paul T]

For some reason, this ran even when the HVAC panel was switched to '0', or OFF. I could not get it to stop, no matter where the HVAC was set.

[Bio300TDTdriver]

You should be able to remove it after you take the glovebox out. I snapped mine out and put a drop of ATF in it. You need to unplug the hose and a 2 prong electrical plug. The ATF helped some, but it still squeals when it's really cold.

Chris

[raymr]

Mine runs all the time as well. There must be a way to wire it to come on only with the ACC?

[Paul T]

Yup, runs forever, but it warmed up to 24 degrees today and the noise stopped. A little lube sounds like a good idea. Thanks again.

[dlssmith]

Sometimes the fan gets pushed against the motor housing and makes noise when it's cold. The fan can be moved on the motor shaft quite easily.