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HVAC Popping Noise - Gear

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Gunslingerheel, Aug 10, 2024.

  1. Gunslingerheel

    Gunslingerheel Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2018
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    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius
    Model:
    XLE
    I apologize if this is elsewhere, but I cannot find the search function. I have a 2011 Prius with a popping noise in the dash when I move the air from the vents to the defrost or vice versa. I researched this online and found the gear in the photo is loose on its shaft. I pushed it back on and the popping went away. I fear, however, that this is going to ultimately break. I cannot access it to see what is wrong as the structure that houses the blower fan and cabin air filter blocks it from being removed. I cannot see how to get to it or what the root cause of the problem is. Has anyone dealt with this issue before and have any knowledge of how to access it or what is the issue(s) causing this? I thank you in advance for your assistance.
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    #1Gunslingerheel, Today at 1:18 PM
     
    #1 Gunslingerheel, Aug 10, 2024
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Nov 29, 2020
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    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    You got it popped back on and it's working fine? I would leave it alone if it's back on and it's working and not making that popping noise that was when it would go around and it wouldn't stay where it's supposed to it would go through the cycle and pop now it doesn't do that so it sounds like you've got it popped back on correctly to take it apart and get access to it is a big job and a lot of the interior gets taken apart it is not something anybody wants to do whether they're paid or not A lot of people won't even touch it because there's other things that are going to get messed up and lots of screws and lots of parts to come out and people look at the whole car and the whole situation and go yeah maybe not You're right down the street from me but I don't mess with these generation threes very much so that's not going to be a real help to you if you popped it back in and it's working well I would say leave well enough alone and be happy maybe don't move the vents from the floor to the feed or whatever it is you're doing all the time I have mine set at one place and it almost never moves all year till winter when I put the heat on the floor so it's not blowing in my face I'm in the same climbing as you right down the road from Raleigh
     
    #2 Tombukt2, Aug 10, 2024
  3. Gunslingerheel

    Gunslingerheel Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2018
    32
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    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius
    Model:
    XLE
    Yeah, I agree - if it will stay there. This is the second problem I have had in that area and I am trying to get a jump on it if it doesn't stay put. The first time I had the problem, I had the noise but the gear wasn't so out of place. I saw a YouTube video that some guy said to lubricate the area. Once I did that it worked until yesterday (which is not a lot of cycles). I went to lube it again and saw the gear out of place. The problem is I did not pop it back on I pushed it back on. There was no secure "click" that made me think it was secure. It makes me think something is broken, warped, wallowed out, etc. I was hoping someone here may have tackled it and it was easier than it appears. The car is driven very little but I do need the defrost occasionally. I ascribed to don't fix it if you don't have to with a car like this. It also has a faulty brake accumulator (I believe they call it) and I am opting not to pay that $3k in hopes Toyota will have to recall them. You just never know until you ask. Thanks for your input
     
    #3 Gunslingerheel, Aug 11, 2024
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