I know this has been talked about a lot, but my sensor makes sooooo much noise you can hear it over the radio and cant stand it any more. Is there any thing I can do in order to fix the problem? Could I just unplug it?
I know this has been talked about a lot, but my sensor makes sooooo much noise you can hear it over the radio and cant stand it any more. Is there any thing I can do in order to fix the problem? Could I just unplug it?
I've got the same problem. Have been thinking about pulling out that part of the dash to look at the fan. Hit a bump the other day and it made a different sound (the pitch of the noise changed momentarily and then went back to its usual annoying sound), like there might be something touching the blades. Hope it's that easy, but probably not. Must consult with the Haynes.
The ACC cabin air temp sensor is quite easy to fix when the motor begin to make noise. The sensor itself may be difficult to pry off the dash panel, so be careful. Its easier to remove the whole panel itself and service the unit this way. You'll need to clean the back area as well with some air to remove the dust and lint that this little sensor draws through it which ends up behind the dash panel.
The part that is making noise is the actual motor shaft that the mini fan blades are attached to. All it needs is a drop or two of some household oil, 3-in-1 oil, or even motor oil (what I used on mine). Drop a few drops of oil on the motor shaft that is visible when looking at the sensors middle section. You can do this with the sensor exposed and with the ACC running so that the oil can disperse while the motor is spinning. It will quite up instantly. I've only had to do this once so far so it should last for a while.
This little sensor is almost always constantly running so the motor shaft is going to dry up over time, especially since its constantly drawing air over itself.
Thanks for the help guys, I guess I will try to clean out any dust I see, and then oil it. Would it be ok to use electronic parts/connector cleaner (the stuff in the spray can) when I clean it?
Thanks for the help guys, I guess I will try to clean out any dust I see, and then oil it. Would it be ok to use electronic parts/connector cleaner (the stuff in the spray can) when I clean it?
I have seen several electronics cleaners on the market.
Use the one that is labeled "safe for plastics".
But, then, once cleaned, the motor shaft must be re-oiled..
IMO, these should last the life of the car or 200K miles; and a simple annual clean/re-oil should assure this..
Saab owners clean/adjust/lubricate; Cadillac owners replace; trade in their car after the ashtray is full...lol...:cheesy:
I've got the plastic bit off and can see the sensor. How do I pop the sensor out to get to the parts I need to oil? Or, shall try to clean (pressurized air) and oil it while it's in the dash?
I've got the plastic bit off and can see the sensor. How do I pop the sensor out to get to the parts I need to oil? Or, shall try to clean (pressurized air) and oil it while it's in the dash?
What the hell are you talking about???? Why would I just throw $80 out the window if I could spend 10 min and fix the problem myself? Maybe you like to waste your money, but I do not.
If you have popped out the fill in piece and the seat belt heater swithc then pry out the climate control module. Use a small screwdriver or putty knife on each side and gently pry the CC out. No need to disconnect the CC just lay it aside. Then you can reach in and remove the cabin air sensor from the rear by releasing the plastic clips at the top and bottom of the cabin sensor.
After removing the plug from the sensor use light compressed air to blow the dust, dog/cat hair, pollen, leaves, pine needles, etc. (LOL) from the assembly.
Put a drop or two of oil on the fan shaft (I used WD-40) while holding the assembly upside down, use the compressed air on the fan to make a siren sound , put it back together and enjoy the quietness.
Mine is so quiet I wonder if it is still working. Might attach a piece of tissue paper to it to make sure it is still sucking air.
Just yesterday I got fed up with the incessant racket mine was making. I sprayed a couple quick shots of WD40 thru the running fan, and now I cannot hear it at all.
My problem is the following: Weeks ago, before I sprayed the oil in there, I tried to silence it with the "blowing the dust out" method. I removed the cover and blew it out while it was running with a can of compressed air. This did little to quiet the fan. So, in an effort to remove the entire assembly, I stupidly grabbed the temp sensor, (it was dark, by the way,) and broke the board where the RTD leg is attached on the right side.
So I was happy to read above, that the unit can be removed without taking the whole dash apart. I don't want to do any more damage, but it is really in there tight with a rubber gasket making it even more difficult. I know that I'll be able to repair the board if I can get it out of there to solder it, and maybe glue it as well.
So - are you saying to keep working on the top and bottom tabs? If I pry them towards the center, will the assembly come loose and fall inwards?
By the way, how long does this thing continue to run after you shut the car off? Before I silenced mine, I would hear it running for minutes after the car was turned off. Or - is this because the temp sensor is "open" due to the damage I did to the board?
The sensor comes out from the back. You have good clearance after removing the Climate Control. Pry on each top tab and pull it backward unless it is installed sideways and then the tabs would be on the sides.
I don't know how long it runs after turning the car off but it's not long and it may depend on how long the temperature had been checked before you turned the car off. Not sure about that though but you won't notice it after you lube the sensor.
Also, once you get it out make sure you apply light oil to both ends of the fan shaft. You will see where the shaft rotates in the plastic frame and that is where you lubricate the shaft.
Hope this helps.
Mine was driving me nuts also almost ran a screw driver through it..... (second thoughts....(way too expensive) so i pull it apart clean the dust etc ...put it back no sound for 2 days Oh yea !!!........ OH S**t sound started again i then take i apart again added (Singers machine oil) where it was desired and inserted it back in the car i eard nothing at all so i had to take a flash light to look if the lil fan was workig inside the sensor because i heard no sound AT ALLL .......... my job was sucessful........:cheesy:
Thank you for the instructions - the fix was easy.
On my car (2001 9-3 SE) removal of the fan/temperature sensor unit was easy.
I removed the heater control module (flat bladed screwdriver) and the fan cover next to the on-star buttons (again, flat bladed screwdriver). I could then unplug the connector from the back of the cylindrical fan/temperature sensor unit and pull the unit out (towards the engine, while prying the upper and lower tabs revealed by removing the fan cover).
Once in my hand it was easy to put a couple of drops of oil (3-in-1) onto the impellor spindle.
SILENCE.
Thanks again!
My sensor fan was driving my wife crazy, though it was only audible when the car was turned off (runs for a couple minutes after ignition turned off). I removed the sensor, used a compressor to blow the dust out and then sprayed with Radio Shack radio/tuner cleaner. It's great stuff to use on electric switches & such. I use it often on guitar amp switches and similar apps. Not a whisper from the fan now. I spent an hour on SC researching a 20 minute fix! :lol:
Had the same noise coming from the interior temp sensor fan for a few days. It's easy to take out the cc controller and then pull out the temp sensor assembly and clean & oil (3-in-1). Easy fix. But I think that the insulating rubber foam that is supposed to muffle vibrations between the sensor assembly and the mounting plate is getting old over the years. Some of the motor vibration is still audible - it is very minor though and nothing like the annoying fan noise...:roll:
Yes, my 9-3 convertible. If you look on the first page of this posting, it says to pull the ACC (climate control) panel out, and just lay it aside (don't disconnect it) then you can reach inside, and push the temp sensor out. To pull the ACC, use a small flat bladed screwdriver and pry (gently!) the housing from the center panel. It should come out without a lot of fuss. {Maybe not if someone has spilled a milkshake from the cupholder above!}
The sensor has a small fan that sucks air into it, and will pull dust and hair as well. Just blow it out with compressed air, or a strong set of lungs, then use some spray lubricant like tuner cleaner or silicone spray. I used some very fine oil on the bearings of the fan instead. Watch out for non-plastic compatible lubricants (like WD-40). As one post says, it'll probably need to be done every year or two.
By the way, it should be possible to pull this out without dealing with the ACC unit, as those square switch plugs just pop in/out. I pulled the seat switch on my 9-5 last week with a small screwdriver.
Okay - that helps. I was just removing the little square plug thinking that's what was being described and that didn't do it. Will go back and try again to remove the actual panel. Thanks so much for your quick reply.
No problem. Always willing to pass on the help I've received..."standing on the shoulders", as they say... to keep our obsolete cars running.
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