How can I remove a leaf caught in the fan/cabin ventilation system in the dashboard?

blower motor might be going out. worn out bearings.

Sounds like EXACTLY what you described (I've had that happen before). There is a leaf (or similar plastic/natural object) in your fan blower. This is located under the dashboard, typically under (or most easily accessed from) the passenger floorboard. If lucky and like mine, it was a few bolts (3 or 4) to take the cover off (with the blower attached), and all kinds of dirt, and a big leaf, fell out. They get in when the outer air vents are open. Good luck!

you have something stuck in the squirrel cage of the blower motor.All you need to do is drop the glove box open and look where the cabin air filter is,remove the cabin air filter and reach down there and pull the stuff out;its usually a leaf or napkin.

Pull the fan motor and look for debris. Sounds like a balance issue. Test the unit on a bench. If cleaning will not resolve, replace the unit.

Could be something like a leaf stuck in the air system. I would pull out the cabin filter( under the hood, near the windshield on the passenger side) with a phillips screwdriver removed screw and pull out black plastic housing...removed cabin filter, and look inside area for any debrie. You will see a fan inside. Replace that filter every 15,000 or every year.

Does it smell like a dead animal? or just moldy mildew smell? If dead animal, get it out. If mold/mildew smell, treat it with an AC ventilation dodorizer.

just remove the fan motor and you will be able to look right inside the blower assembly. you should be able to see what is there

you can remove the glove box easily. behind you can see the in cabin air filter panel, which you can remove and clean out the filter or replace. ofter there are leaves or other debris on it that make noise. please note the correct position of the filter. with the air filter out you can switch between fresh and recirculating air, you can see the door open and close. Your owners manual should have instructions. rockauto.com sells new in cabin air filters for very little $ . The fan motor may have debris caught in it as well. With the in cabin air filter out you can listen for noise.

If you mean the cabin filter, it is located under the dash on the passenger side, to the right of the center console. You need to remove a plastic strip-like cover and then you can pull the cabin filter out. It is quite long and to replace it takes a bit of fenagling.