jewels1273

I just purchased my 2008 HHR LS mid-October. The problem is when I have the fan (for the ac and heat) on the first notch it makes a noise like the fan is possibly rubbing against something and the noise only comes from the passenger side like it is coming from under the dash. However when I turn the fan on the 2nd notch or higher it goes away. It doesn't even matter if I have it set to be pulling the outside air in or circulate the inside air or if I have the air blowing to just the feet or both feet and "face". I have had it in to be checked out and the dealer's repair center says that they can't hear anything - really - it is driving me nuts to listen to it.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Julie

pitbull76

If it's a very light ticking, I'd have to say it's normal. If it is bad enough that you can hear it in the higher settings, you have a bad blower motor. In my '06 I had to have the blower motor replaced twice (water issues with the butyl patch were the cause), and my 08 even needed to have it replaced when I first got it because of loud ticking at all speeds. 08's don't have the butyl patch water issue but you could still get a defective fan. Even brand new blower motors make a bit of ticking noise at the first setting.

jewels1273

I don't hear it on the higher settings but it is loud enough on the first setting that I can hear it even with the radio on. It is one of those noises that when you hear it you tend to focus on it more and it drives you nuts. I either turn the air off or higher.

solman98

You may have a leaf or something in there. Pull out the cabin filter.

pitbull76

That's certainly worth a check, but I bet it's normal. Drives me up a wall too but just turn up the anti-rattle/click device (radio) :) If it's a bad fan, the noise will get worse and it will probably start squealing too before long. If it stays the same, it's probably fine.

jewels1273

That is what I am afraid of. We are going on our first long road trip with the HHR (24 hours to be exact) and that noise is going to drive me nuts.

pitbull76

I have to clarify my earlier posts just a bit... the fan motor does tick a bit at the lowest setting, but I cannot hear it when at highway speed; road and wind noise drowns it out. You might want to get it checked to make sure that it isn't abnormally loud.

Marzipan

I'll vote for something got past the filter and into the fan. On my other vehicles typically a pine nedle would get in. Tick, tick, tick ... at low speeds but it would go away at higher settings. On the HHR I notice there is a good screen at the intake below the wipers.

It could be worth checking. I believe you unhook the glove compartment, remove the filter then see what you can with a light and mirror. You should be able to run the fan whilst looking and listening to it. Keep fingers out - for the sake of the fan.

FMHHR

I have the exact same issue....driving me nuts...please help

oneton

Open the glove box, remove cabin filter, look up into fan motor, turn on low speed and look to see if you can see anything or is it the fan motor

HOW TO for cabin filter is in owners manual.. Fan motor is right above it