Buzzing from dash when cold

[rosco]

This morning when I started my car (2011 FFH) it went straight to ICE mode (no EV) and immediately started making an annoying buzzing sound from the dash which lasted a good 5 minutes while driving to work. This is the first time I've experienced this sound but I've only owned the car since August. Has anyone else experienced this? What could this sound be? It was 29 degrees and I'm pretty sure the sound has something to do with the cold.

Edited December 5, 2017 by rosco

[lolder]

It doesn't make any different sounds when it's cold but the ICE runs more often. There may be some debris in the HVAC ducts from a rodent that is newly exposed to the fan or vent openings for heating. Also, the windshield mounted rear view mirror in my car had a buzz. It's difficult to work on so for the last 8 years I've had a piece of foam jammed above it that stops the buzz.

[rosco]

Here is a video of the sound https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEJ-_kg2-pA

[lolder]

Well it's definitely not normal. Have you looked and listened under the hood? It's a motor of some kind. How does it stop, abruptly or gradually?

Edited December 7, 2017 by lolder

[billford]

Sounds like a bad fan.

On my 2014, there's a temperature/humidity sensor with a fan just to the right of the steering column. You can see the louvers, probably about 1 inch square, the small fan is just behind the louvers.

I think yours may be the same.

Listen if the noise is in that area. You may be able to feel it buzzing also. You can disconnect it and see if the noise goes away, but you will have to get behind the dash.

[lolder]

It's there on the 2010 also and comes on with the car "on". I'll bet that's it, a bug or something might be stuck in it. I can't find how to get at it but maybe that lower dash piece snaps off.

[rosco]

Sounds like a bad fan.

On my 2014, there's a temperature/humidity sensor with a fan just to the right of the steering column. You can see the louvers, probably about 1 inch square, the small fan is just behind the louvers.

I think yours may be the same.

Listen if the noise is in that area. You may be able to feel it buzzing also. You can disconnect it and see if the noise goes away, but you will have to get behind the dash.

Yes that was it! I slapped the dash above the louvers you mentioned and it stopped the sound. Thank You!