HVAC blower fan squeaking

[MANICompression]

Wondering if anyone has experienced any squeaking/squealing from the HVAC fan in the Mazda2. Today, out of nowhere, the fan started making some squeaking (like a bad bearing) and I tried messing with the fan speed to see if I could get the noise to go away, to no avail. I pulled out the cabin filters and blasted the fan which dislodged some small dried leaf bits but the noise remained. I could actually visibly see the fan motor (removed glove box, set damper to re-circulate which opens re-circ return and blower fan is visible with a flashlight) and the motor itself looks fine. Made an appointment with a dealership but sucks because I know they are going to have to rip the dash open to get to the blower motor.

 

[Ryno666]

Check china bearings? Use dielectric spray lubricant.

 

[MANICompression]

Just got back from the dealership. They checked it out and said that it was debris, so something positioned just right to be rubbing up against the fan and causing a clicking when running and a squeak when shutting off. They said that they could take everything apart but it would be a multi-hour job. I told them I'd mess with it and really cranked the fan speed and switched the recirculation mode on and off a bunch of times and I think I finally got the majority of it. Basically the noise is gone. Just relieved that it wasn't the fan/blower itself.