low growl sound

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Old Nov 12, 2025 | 04:32 PM
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Hi all. I have a 2007 Saturn VUE with approximatley 85,000 miles. I notice when I have the heat selection to floor, when I turn it off there is this low kind of a very short grrrrr or grumble sound. It doesn't do it in any other setting. And now I have noticed that when the the heater cycles it makes the same sound but only if FLOOR vent is selected. I previously thought it was just when I turned the heat off while in the FLOOR position but I recently noticed it makes the same noise when heat mode cycling. Very brief (a second or two) I did have the AC comprressor and condensor replaced over the summer months but not sure this is related and as I said it only does it when Floor vents selected.
 

Last edited by ifuwill; Nov 29, 2025 at 03:18 PM. Reason: change of situation
Old Nov 13, 2025 | 08:43 AM
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Maybe a blend door closing? IDK, just guessing.
 
Old Nov 13, 2025 | 09:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Rubehayseed
Maybe a blend door closing? IDK, just guessing.
thank you.
 
Old Nov 14, 2025 | 10:11 AM
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I'm not saying conclusively that's what it is, I'm just guessing. As long as the heat and defroster work the way they're supposed to, I'd leave it alone. If it was mine.
 
Old Nov 16, 2025 | 08:09 AM
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I can't really think of what a noise like that might be other than a blend door actuator or the blower motor. The blend door actuators on these year GMs were wonky sometimes, mine for instance goes into a clicking frenzy on every engine startup for like, 10 seconds. Everything works perfectly though it is quite annoying, but my mechanic says it's pointless to fix it (by replacing the blend door actuator unit) because the new ones will just fail in a year or two and I'll get the same problem.

GM gives its cars an "after blow" capability for the HVAC blower motor, which basically will engage the blower motor for a few seconds after you shut the car off to dry out the AC coils IF you were running the AC. This is usually only activated by the dealer if the customer complains of funky smells coming from the AC though. But you're running the heater so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

If you're only hearing weird noises but everything seems to be working fine, I'd follow Rubehayseed's advice
 
Old Nov 25, 2025 | 01:21 PM
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Originally Posted by ifuwill
Hi all. I have a 2007 Saturn VUE with approximatley 85,000 miles. I notice when I have the heat selection to floor, when I turn it off there is this low kind of grumble sound. It doesn't do it in any other setting. And just when I shut it off. No noise during operation and only after it shuts down in the floor position.
So I've brought my VUE to 2 different mechanics. The first one said that I might need a new blower motor. But he just told me to drive it as is because it only does it when I have it on the "Floor vent" position and turn it off and hear a brief low growl noise. (wish I could post the sound here) Today I brought it to a 2nd mechanic for his opinion who said he would inspect it while I wait. About an hour later he came to get me and asked me to follow him. We walked to my car and then he said he couldn't get the key out of the ignition and it was locked in place! I immediately panicked because I've never had this problem before. He said he didn't want to break the key but he ended up spraying with some liquid and the key slipped out He said the key is probably worn out but I explained this was my spare key which is hardly used. Only when I take it to mechanics. In any event I got in and he started the car and cycled the heater to different positions and turning it on and off and nothing. I was so shell-shocked by the key incident, I just wanted to get out of there! As I drove away I realized he didn't cycle it into the floor position which was the bottom setting but just through the other 3 above. When I selected floor and turned it off, there it was! So I think I will just drive it as is because it's only noticeable if you listen for it. Otherwise everything else works great!! It seems all mehcanics are so busy now changing customer's tires to winter! At this point, I am very frustrated!
 
Old Nov 27, 2025 | 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by redview
I can't really think of what a noise like that might be other than a blend door actuator or the blower motor. The blend door actuators on these year GMs were wonky sometimes, mine for instance goes into a clicking frenzy on every engine startup for like, 10 seconds. Everything works perfectly though it is quite annoying, but my mechanic says it's pointless to fix it (by replacing the blend door actuator unit) because the new ones will just fail in a year or two and I'll get the same problem.

GM gives its cars an "after blow" capability for the HVAC blower motor, which basically will engage the blower motor for a few seconds after you shut the car off to dry out the AC coils IF you were running the AC. This is usually only activated by the dealer if the customer complains of funky smells coming from the AC though. But you're running the heater so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

If you're only hearing weird noises but everything seems to be working fine, I'd follow Rubehayseed's advice
Thank you for your expert opinion. It is much appreciated
 
Old Nov 27, 2025 | 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Rubehayseed
I'm not saying conclusively that's what it is, I'm just guessing. As long as the heat and defroster work the way they're supposed to, I'd leave it alone. If it was mine.
Thank you for your comment. Yes I think I will do just that.
 
Old Nov 28, 2025 | 08:08 AM
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Are you positive it's not a neighbors cat stuck in the wheel well? LOL
 
Old Nov 28, 2025 | 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Rubehayseed
Are you positive it's not a neighbors cat stuck in the wheel well? LOL
..hahaha
 



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