Cabin Heater/filter Problems

[lulubel]

This is my first post here, and it's begging for help, I'm afraid.

A couple of months back, I noticed the cabin heater fan on our Rav 4.2 was making rattling noises as if it had something in it. The noises tended to stop if you "blasted" it on full for a few seconds when starting up, so I didn't take much notice. Then, about 2 weeks ago, the rattling noises got much worse, they wouldn't clear, and a nasty burning smell developed. At this point, the fan refused to run on all but the highest setting.

We found instructions to take the fan out on another forum, and removed it to find it was full of "car stuff" as my partner put it (presumably chewed up air filter) and almond shells. We cleaned it out, removed the loose pieces of filter from above it, and put it back. The fan still only runs on the highest setting, but the rattling noises and burning smell have stopped.

I'm assuming we need a new fan/motor (they seem to be one unit), and a new cabin filter. Will this be correct?

Also, I've spoken to a neighbour, who says it will be caused by mice nesting in the cabin filter and carrying the almonds to their nest to eat. So I'm assuming it's likely to happen again. I read somewhere that someone made a wire mesh screen to and fixed it across the air intake to stop them getting in. Has anyone else done this or heard of it? Would it be viable for someone with very few mechanical skills?

Thanks.

[local hero]

This is my first post here, and it's begging for help, I'm afraid.

A couple of months back, I noticed the cabin heater fan on our Rav 4.2 was making rattling noises as if it had something in it. The noises tended to stop if you "blasted" it on full for a few seconds when starting up, so I didn't take much notice. Then, about 2 weeks ago, the rattling noises got much worse, they wouldn't clear, and a nasty burning smell developed. At this point, the fan refused to run on all but the highest setting.

We found instructions to take the fan out on another forum, and removed it to find it was full of "car stuff" as my partner put it (presumably chewed up air filter) and almond shells. We cleaned it out, removed the loose pieces of filter from above it, and put it back. The fan still only runs on the highest setting, but the rattling noises and burning smell have stopped.

I'm assuming we need a new fan/motor (they seem to be one unit), and a new cabin filter. Will this be correct?

Also, I've spoken to a neighbour, who says it will be caused by mice nesting in the cabin filter and carrying the almonds to their nest to eat. So I'm assuming it's likely to happen again. I read somewhere that someone made a wire mesh screen to and fixed it across the air intake to stop them getting in. Has anyone else done this or heard of it? Would it be viable for someone with very few mechanical skills?

Thanks.

Hi lulubel + welcome to the madhouse, unfortunately I personally cannot help with your question, however if you are a little patient I'm sure we must have an Almond Mousse specialist on here somewhere :D Stew

[Davrav]

This is my first post here, and it's begging for help, I'm afraid.

A couple of months back, I noticed the cabin heater fan on our Rav 4.2 was making rattling noises as if it had something in it. The noises tended to stop if you "blasted" it on full for a few seconds when starting up, so I didn't take much notice. Then, about 2 weeks ago, the rattling noises got much worse, they wouldn't clear, and a nasty burning smell developed. At this point, the fan refused to run on all but the highest setting.

We found instructions to take the fan out on another forum, and removed it to find it was full of "car stuff" as my partner put it (presumably chewed up air filter) and almond shells. We cleaned it out, removed the loose pieces of filter from above it, and put it back. The fan still only runs on the highest setting, but the rattling noises and burning smell have stopped.

I'm assuming we need a new fan/motor (they seem to be one unit), and a new cabin filter. Will this be correct?

Also, I've spoken to a neighbour, who says it will be caused by mice nesting in the cabin filter and carrying the almonds to their nest to eat. So I'm assuming it's likely to happen again. I read somewhere that someone made a wire mesh screen to and fixed it across the air intake to stop them getting in. Has anyone else done this or heard of it? Would it be viable for someone with very few mechanical skills?

Thanks.

Hi Lulubel and welcome to the club

If the motor/fan is still running on the highest setting that would indicate to me that the fault is in the control switch or wiring - rodent damage possibly?

As Local Hero says, just sit tight until one of our technical gurus wakes up/gets home from the pub/work............................

The mesh screen seems like a good idea as a preventetive measure but the mesh needs to be pretty fine - a mouse can get through a hole the diameter of a ballpoint apparently

Good luck

[anchorman]

Hi and welcome to the club.

The cabin filter is behind the glovebox and the instructions for cleaning are pinned in the maintenance tips at the top of the RAV page;

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.p...;hl=maintenance

Looking at that will tell you if the rodent theory is sound. As Dave says the fan speed issue could be something else. On full speed the fan runs at Battery voltage so full speed. At the slower speeds it simply runs through a number of resistors which combine to provide the 3 reduced speeds and either they or the wiring/switch that controls them are at fault. If you want more info just say but that depends just how good your "limited skills" are.

If the mice have been at your filter, access to the intake is from under that black plastic shield under the wipers at the bottom of the window. Getting that off is not always easy because the wipers have to come off and they sometimes stick. If you can't get it off there may be another way. The Germans have big problems with Pine Martens eating the rubber parts on cars;

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Would_a_pine_mar..._tubes_in_a_car

I have seen "Marten repellent" in car spares shops over there and maybe you can obtain some locally or off the net. Might work with other mammels or rodents!