GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Whenever the climate control is set to receive outside air, there is a steady tapping noise coming from the passenger airbag area. There is no tapping noise when inside air is recirculated. Outside air will be pretty important this winter, would like to get this fixed now. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

Hello! Welcome aboard. It sounds like there is a problem with the motor that opens and closes the air intake door in the firewall. So, I'd say start with the recirculate door, motor, and related mechanisms.We have had this happen several times before:http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id ... ad?id=6658

Thanks for the info. I took my glove box out today and could see the foam thingy flapping and tapping. It looks like it would be easy to fix but would need a Shop Service repair manual to trouble shoot and shoot, they only cost $150. I'll see if I can get one thru interlibrary loan.

haha, oh man does that get annoying. I also have recently acquired this problem, and I'm getting it looked at (and hopefully repaired) in a week or so. When I first tried to get this fixed, the stupid mechanic didn't even take a look at the noise. The second he heard me mention a "clicking nosie", he assumed I was low on Freon or something. And at the time I didn't know much about this stuff so I let him go ahead with his diagnosis. So I let him take it back and i sat for a good 20 min. while the mechanic was doing absolutely no good for me. it ended in me getting charged $30 or so and leaving happy at the time. Then, once I tried to turn off the recirculate button it started up again. I was not a happy camper. lol At least until I looked up the prob. on Genvibe and found a few posts that helped diagnose the problem. So like what ColonelPanic said it is probably the motor trying to open/close the recirculate door and then having problems somewhere in there.

I see you say it's in back of the glove box. Any pictures or reference points to find it? Or is it obvious? Also the part is likely cheaper at a Toyota dealer.

Hi Everyone. I've been reading along for awhile, and thought I'd register because this just happened to me too. I removed the glovebox, and if recirc is on, everything is okay---when I turn it off, the little flap above the inside air filter pops and pops. I want to remove this whole assembly to see if I can see what parts on it are getting stuck or stripped. I don't have a manual, but given that the airbag is right above this, how to I unplug and remove this safely?Am I correct in assuming the yellow wiring above this is the passenger airbag?How much did you guys pay to have the dealer fix this?

Hey BigTony. Welcome to GenVibe I also am wondering how much a repair on the prob. will cost.

I got ahold of the Technical Service Bulletin (#1357331) and ordered the part from the Pontiac dealer for $47.61. If they do it they would charge about 1 1/2 hours labor. After the part comes in I am going to try and do the work myself. The part is called a HVAC recirculation door actuator, #88970277. I hope they make a sturdier unit now. My vehicle was only 200 miles over warranty but they wouldn't give me a break even though it is safety related, i.e., when window fogs up need outside air to clear the windshield. I guess GM stock is in the pits so no breaks for the customer.I also need a passenger compartment air filter, a little thin thing. Pontiac said it would cost $35 so I am checking around the after market and maybe check with Toyota too.

If you can find the wiring to the door actuator??? See if disconnecting it causes the door to open or close or just stay where it is ? Ideally fresh air is bettwer than recirc...