how to fully take apart and clean out heater with mouse in it

i realize there are several threads on the subject of determining whats wrong in regard to banging noises and smells of dead mouse in the heating system and mice prevention, but im looking for more specifics on how to take apart the system to give it a proper clean out after the fact... dont currently have a manual, aside from figuring it out, any pointers/details on a full clean out/disassemble would be appreciated. i assume he/she is in the blower as it makes a knarly grinding banging noise when turned on.. and it is very dead hence the smell (hopefully in one piece).

 

On the passenger side up under the dash on the plastic venting system you will find the fan held in with screws. Unplug the fan and remove the screws and drop out the fan. Inspect, remove deceased critter if present and other debris.

 

This exactly. I had the same problem a couple winters ago. Turned my blower on and it was grinding and making all sorts of noises. I figured it needed to be cleaned but it was too cold to open it up. Summer came around and DAMN didn't that thing smell. Dropped 3 or 4 screws and unplugged the blower motor/fan, pulled it out of the dash and used a flat head screw driver to pry Mickey's body out of the blower cage.

 

We will be expecting pics of whatever is making that smell.

 

thank you CD20H did just that, found a dead mouse pressed into the blower and a comfortable looking nest... disinfected it and ran the system a bit, good as new.. sorry Caligula no pics, not up to speed with that yet.

 

better not let PETA find out about this Tacoma mouse trap or they will want to recall our trucks as cruelty to mice lol.

 

CD20H,
Thanks for the info. Had mice in my 2012 Tacoma blower just like I had in my long gone 2001. Now I need to search for where I need to put the hardware cloth for the blower inlet and maybe for the air cleaner inlet like I did for the 2001. Think Toyota would have fixed this problem by 2012.

Loaded up my wannabe Indian and migrated to Southwest Florida for the winter.

 

Very helpful thread! I attached photos of the fan that CD20H referred to. As well as, the mouse causing the smell and clicking

Three 5/16 bolts. It helped to remove glove box and interior side paneling near door to access one of the bolts.

 

Welcome aboard new member

 

oh my my, that is one dead critter

 

Mine started making some noise the other day, will have to drop it and check. Hopefully no mouse. Anyone have a pic of where they get in from there? I'd like to screen it off.

 

i think they crawl in through the windshield cowl area where fresh air comes in at

 

Thanks, shouldn't be too hard to pull that off and see where the hole is.

 

the hole is most likely covered by sheet metal
i am looking for a pic i grabbed off of TW awhile ago

 

Sounds tricky to cover then! Pic would be huge help.

 

this is probably it here