Hi. Purchased a 2001 Volvo V70 2.4L (non-turbo) <2 weeks ago. Since then, when we blow air, be it with or without a/c engaged, a noise from behind the dashboard or coming from the vents becomes very noticeable. It seems to correlate with RPMs; the higher the RPMs, the faster the noise; almost like something is loose. However, at times, if RPMs go above 2000, it goes away, but comes right back when they drop below that. Other times the noise is there regardless of RPMs and other times not there at all, but recently it has been almost always and it has become louder as well. When the RPMs are low, I would describe the sound to be kind of squeaky.

The noise becomes less loud if the fresh air option is chosen (but doesn't go away); when air is recirculated it becomes more noticeable.

If I turn the system off (no air blowing), the noise goes away.

Through it all the a/c still blows cold air.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

Have you checked your cabin filter?

 

Is this a riddle?

Sounds like the cabin fan is going bad. Can you get it to make the noise if the cabin fan is on and car is NOT running? Or vise versa?

 

Does sound like the cabin fan is going bad, but wouldn't it be easier and safer to see if your cabin air filter is clogged before assuming anything? Ours was getting clogged and we got a humming or grinding type of noise when you would make a fast turn we also noticed on long rides the ac would almost stop blowing...Checked and changed my air filter and all symptoms gone.

 

Thank you all for the suggestions. For now I'm living with the noise...air still blows cold or hot. Yes, I assume it is the fan and will also look into the cabin filter. Thanks -