2001 STS Thingy on dash -- what is it?

[benlasher]

OK, what the heck is the thing on the dash, in between the steering column and the headlight controls on my 2001 STS?

I can't find any reference to it in the manual, it isn't even pictured in the dash drawing in the manual.

It is about 1" square, flush mounted on the dash, with a small grate covering it.

Some kind of small speaker, microphoone, sensor?

The reason I ask is that it is making a low level, annoying noise, just slightly louder than road noise, and it is really bugging me.

I just don't know what it is, or how to turn it off or disable it.

[caddydaddy]

It is the aspirator. It has a fan that blows air over a sensor to get a better sense of the cabin temp. The aspirator fan motors were common failures on the Sevilles. Mine was replaced 2 years ago.

[benlasher]

So the noise I am hearing is probably the fan motor turing with some bad bearings?

Must be a small fan.

Did you replace it yourself, or is there a reason why I have to involve the dealer?

You may have still been under warranty.......

[caddydaddy]

Yes, most likely the fan motor has some bad bearings. You'll usually hear it when it's really cold, like this time of year.
Yes, mine was replaced under warranty, I'm not sure of the cost, and I haven't looked in the service manual to see what is involved with replacing or disconnecting it.