SpruceRain

The climate control on my car has started to occasionally make an odd noise. Here's a video, with significantly boosted volume:

Fan speed affects the noise, while directing airflow or selecting circulation mode do not. The noise disappears along with normal fan noise when climate control is completely turned off.

Now, I first noticed the noise about a day after my car was fitted with a Webasto heater. For those not familiar with it, it's a heater that draws some fuel from the tank and burns it to warm up the coolant. Coolant is circulated with a pump, not sure whether it is the car's own pump or one in the heater. Once a specific coolant temperature is reached, the heater gives power to the climate control, which then proceeds to blow warm air to the cabin, warming it up as well.
While the timing is a bit suspicious, the Webasto install guide specifically for the LS600h indicates there's nothing done to the climate control blower, and the installers at the shop said they did the necessary wiring but that did not include doing anything to the blower. They did ask me to drop by so they can see if they can figure it out, but as the noise isn't always there it might be difficult.

What could this be? Has anyone heard this kind of noise before, and found out what it was?

EDIT: Noise has since disappeared, and I haven't heard it in the past two months. Curious.

Markw4mms

It sounds like the noise I heard when the blower motor bearing was going bad in my LS400.

SpruceRain

So it seems, thanks. The heater installer had a look at it and arrived at the same conclusion. Apparently the blower is fairly easy to replace, at least.

Would it be worth the effort to try lubricating the bearing? I suppose the sounds means it's on its way out.

If I have it replaced (or replace it myself), what are your thoughts on OEM vs. aftermarket blower motors?

ArmyofOne

Mine is making the same noise. New old stock on ebay is about $300, I'll replace it myself.

Markw4mms

I just got one from Auto Zone, came with the fan cage and a lifetime warranty for around $70 or so,.

stasek

would you happen to have part number or link?

Markw4mms

No luck finding it at auto zone or rock auto for your car, I did find it here though https://www.lexuspartsnow.com/parts/...r_unit,,87103B
Price isn't too bad for OEM part.

stasek

Just replaced the blower motor. Tried - unsuccessfully - to fix the noisy one, but unfortunately there's no parts that are serviceable. Wound up getting a used one from eBay seller (but directly through the website to save on taxes). It came out of a '12 w/ 50K miles, so I'm hoping it'll be good for few years/100K miles.
For what it's worth - and I'm not 100% sure, but it appears that there are other blowers that are compatible with the LS. Per RockAuto, here's the list:

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 2017-2018
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER 2013-2016
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT 2013-2018
LEXUS GS300 2006
LEXUS GS350 2007-2011
LEXUS GS430 2006-2007
LEXUS GS450H 2007-2011
LEXUS GS460 2008-2011
LEXUS IS F 2008-2014
LEXUS IS250 2006-2014
LEXUS IS350 2006-2013
LEXUS LS460 2007-2012
LEXUS LS600H 2008-2012
LEXUS LX570 2008-2016
LEXUS RX350 2013
LEXUS RX450H 2013-2014
TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 2008-2015

Had I not ordered the used one, I would have tried getting one of the other models that are readily available through Auzozone or O'Reillys for a little over $100.

Markw4mms

Glad you got it fixed.