Disco 2: getting rid of whirring noise alongside steering column

[mturri]

A rather annoying but inconsequent issue that sooner or later comes up in Discos series 2 (either Td5 or V8): on moving the starter switch to position "II" a vibrating sort of whirling noise comes from aside the steering column.

The trouble lies with the in-car temperature sensor (ICTS) mounted behind the grills, comprised by a small blower which draws air over a thermistor.

The blower is powered by a tiny brushless type electrical motor which has no bearings and tends to get clogged up with dust, hair, lint, etc.

Here's how to work this problem out.

1- ICTS (behind grills) next to steering column of LHD Disco (RHD is perfectly symmetrical)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/900.jpg

2- Access the main fuse box by removing the fixings and opening the cover underneath the steering column:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/901.jpg

3- Locate the ICTS assembly, unbend the loom retainer attached to the motor, pull the connector out and disconnect it:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/902.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/903.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/904.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/905.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/906.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/907.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/908.jpg

4- Undo the two screws holding the ICTS against the panel -- takes a bit of patience -- a small hex drive ratcheting wrench was perfect for this job:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/909.jpg

5- The ICTS as it came out, and after being cleaned out:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/910.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/911.jpg

6- Undo the two screws, beware of falling nuts as they are not captive, and open up the motor:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/912.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/913.jpg

7- Thorougly clean the impellers shaft (both side) as well as where it seats in within both the cover and stator:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/914.jpg

8- Smear with a small quantity of light, thin, low friction grease. Do not over grease or use anything too sticky as the motor has very little force and it would prevent the impeller from rotating. I used the teflon grease that regularly apply to my mountain bikes bearings:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/915.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/04/916.jpg

9- Reassemble blower motor, connect to loop and screw back in place.

10- Turn key to switch position II and enjoy the silence!

Total time for this job: 30 mins

Cheers

Matt

[tempestv8]

Great pictures!

Thanks for sharing. I have always been aware of the noise from this temperature sensor but never find the time to fix it. I'm now more motivated to do something about the noise, now that I have such a good set of pictures to follow.

Thanks again! Awesome contribution to this forum!

[Sully]

Good one mate! I always weondered what this noise was, but haven't ever bothered to investigate it further.

Thanks...

[adonuff]

Thanks Matt

Mine just starting to get noisy, your post will help a lot when It comes time to do mine

[clubagreenie]

Thats a great help as it's been annoying me for 2 years now. But why didn't we get the fold in mirrors?

[2 rocks]

Great work!
Look, I don't suppose in amongst all this you've worked out how to stop the centre console/transmission tunnel frying the driver's left leg with the A/C off (on a RHD car!)?
Driving me mad in summer!
Cheers
Mike

[clubagreenie]

Remove cats and wrap exhaust. But mine never got that hot, now it's just cold.

[biggin]

Great work!
Look, I don't suppose in amongst all this you've worked out how to stop the centre console/transmission tunnel frying the driver's left leg with the A/C off (on a RHD car!)?
Driving me mad in summer!
Cheers
Mike

I'm certain this is caused by the HVAC matrix, as hot coolant flows through it all the time.
I have this problem too, but found that if I turned the fan off, lowered the temperatures on each side, directed air to front vents, switched to ECON, before switching the whole system off, then it stays cool.
Worked for me, at least.

[AussieAub]

....but found that if I turned the fan off, lowered the temperatures on each side, directed air to front vents, switched to ECON, before switching the whole system off, then it stays cool.
Worked for me, at least.
I have this prob too. I'll give this a try.
Many thanks.

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

I only just found this exact post on Disco 2: getting rid of whirring noise alongside steering column - Land Rover Zone (http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f8/disco-2-getting-rid-whirring-noise-alongside-steering-column-130500.html just yesterday, and thought this is gold.)
Thanks for sharing it on AULRO Also.:)

[2 rocks]

I'm certain this is caused by the HVAC matrix, as hot coolant flows through it all the time.
I have this problem too, but found that if I turned the fan off, lowered the temperatures on each side, directed air to front vents, switched to ECON, before switching the whole system off, then it stays cool.
Worked for me, at least.

Biggin
I have been trying this, although I'm not sure if I'm using the same sequence as you, so I'll try it tonight! :thumbsup:
Yes, I'd heard it was the HVAC too - for the reasons you mention - and that the detererioraton of the foam sandwich between the HVAC casing bits allows the escape of the hot air - leading to the heated console and the wafting of hot air out from around the steering column shroud and knee panel.
Although I've been avoiding doing this for a long time, I think it's time to get the console out and have a good mooch around...
Cheers
Mike

[clubagreenie]

Just got around to this and wow. I used molly eng assy lube as it was the slipperiest thing I could find. Didn't use as much as the pic was taking too long to load (over limit this month)

Thanks again for good advice.

[worane]

Thanks for the detailed info on the fan.
Another job to add to the list.

[strat66]

Well done, just got my Discovery 2 and you know how it is , got it home THEN noticed tears inducing 'whirr'.

Not gonna say I over reacted, but I nearly re-listed it as a BAD OMEN!

Well not no more...TOP 'FAN' MAN!!

Thank for the 'perfect' how to do.

(just kidding about the re-listing, waited years for this LR, its going knowhere now)