meh9

Whenever I use my AC (including heat), I can hear a percolating sound coming from the center console. It sounds sort of like a coffee machine. It doesn't get louder, but I can hear it better with the lower fan speeds. Anyone know what this is? The A/C has always seemed to function just fine. I'm just wondering if I should be concerned about this noise. Thanks.

st1800

“I'm just wondering if I should be concerned about this noise”


no.

Littleguy

Sounds like the ac blower motor is going bad. I replaced mine with a cheap one like this, it's right under the glove box, a pretty easy installation.

meh9

It really sounds more like a liquid to me, rather than the blower motor.

st1800

Check your coolant level.

meh9

The coolant level was a good suggestion. I checked it and it was halfway between the low and full markers. I filled it up to the full marker, but I'm still hearing that noise. I can hear it click on when the car isn't totally cold, so I'm guessing it's something with the radiator.

wbmx1981

That is the servo motor making that noise. The servo motor opens and shuts the AC doors to mix the air from hot to cold. The air mix servo might be stuck open or staining as it there are gears that have lubricant. The lubricant can be dirty and gritty. You can take them out and re-grease them. My 99 GS had three. I think ES’ have three also, driver side, middle (behind the AC console), and one behind the glove. There are tons on repairs for this. Search the forum (all lexus).

Google Air Mix Servo or Air Servo. Good luck.

egk2lexus

Mine does the same on low speeds, like a faint tapping sound, guess I will know what it is when something fails, for now everything works as it should.