2011 4runner SR5 HVAC Blower Relay Issues

Hi All - I am new to this forum and to 4runner ownership - TIA for your help. Just bought this rig (188K miles) a couple of months ago and it just developed a couple of problems. One - the in cabin blower (manual system) will turn on/turn off by itself/ turn on again... It is even turning on when the truck is not running - KOIO. I suspect it is the blower relay sticking/malfunctioning so I am changing out the blower (cheap insurance) and need to change out the blower relay but cannot find it? Can anybody point me in the right direction? Also at the same time the alternator has failed. I checked the Alt fuse and it looks good - battery terminal voltage at 12.3 and declining when running (fully charged battery) - could this just be a coincidence? Thanks again!!

 

Might be a coincidence, but weird things can happen without proper power being supplied. Before you throw the parts cannon at it, fix what you know is bad and that is the alternator. I wouldn't cheap out either. Go OEM (which is Denso). The original gave an amazing 188K, and there's no reason it shouldn't go another 188K. Buy once, cry once.

 

Thanks Cat and I agree. Have already picked up the alternator. Any thoughts on the location for the blower relay?

 

Should be in the engine compartment on the driver side. I don't have time now, but I'll look in mine and I've also got a FSM I'll check.

 

So it's turning on when key is out of the ignition? Any other electrical issue with this vehicle?

 

Thanks cat for help chasing this... Yep - turning on when the car is off....sometimes the blower will stop running without touching the fan speed control knob. The only other electrical issue is the alternator is not charging....everything else is ok...