New car....New Noises

[Caddynut]

Well, I am getting used to my 01 STS and am really listening to things so that I can get them fixed before my warranty is up. I did notice that my drivers lumbar doesn't work and also noticed something else. When the car is cold in the morning, I start the car and it sounds like some kind of electric motor is turning and whining behind the dashboard on the drivers side. It does this for about 30 seconds and then shuts up. It is fine for the rest of the day and doesn't make a sound until the next morning. The groaning and whining of that motor doesn't sound too healthy. Anyone have a clue what that motor does or is for that matter?

[Ranger]

It is the aspirator. A small fan that pulls cabin air over a sensor so that the HVAC system knows when the requested cabin temp is reached. It is behind the small 1" square grill to the right (maybe left) of the steering column. Just had it replaced on my daughters '02 SLS.

[Caddynut]

YOU ARE A LIFE SAVER!!! Thanks....I will put that on my list for them to fix. Thanks Larry!!!

[Caddynut]

Does anyone know how hard it would be to change one of these? Looks like I will be doing this myself. If I am not mistaken, it looks like I can drop the panel below the steering column and access that fan. Please correct me if I am wrong.

[JimD]

I believe you access that fan from the end panel on the dash. Open the driver's door and remove the panel with the driver's side window defroster connection in it.

[Caddynut]

thanks, when I get the car back I will take a look.

[ted tcb]

Here is the repair process from the tech section on Cadillac Forums.

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadil...ld-weather.html

I didn't feel like doing the actual repair ... my quick fix was to push some foam down to the motor,

which silenced the vibration. I was careful to not to disrupt the probe, which looks like a wire just

behind the grill.

Basically, I removed the grill, held the probe to the side with some tweezers, and stuffed foam

down the hole, and replacing the grill held the foam firm against the vibrating fan. Worked for me.

Good luck ... I despised the whirring noise.

[Caddynut]

looks like a doable job at home....I will probably just put up with for awhile.....it only whines for about 30 seconds and then shuts up. I can deal with that for awhile. Thanks.