Tick-tocking noise and pulsing fan flow from vents?

[psiu]

This appears to have just started up today, my wife and I heard it coming from church this morning but did not hear it on the way there, and she didn't recognize it at all.A very distinct tick coming from the middle-middleright side of the dash. Can hear it from the same place from the passenger/driver side and from the engine compartment. The fan had been off, I turned it on and immediately noticed the pulsing fan flow and fan noise: whhhhOOOOSSHHwhhooooOOOSHH. The timing matches the ticking noise (tick=fan slows).Any ideas?

[joatmon]

maybe it is the same problem reported in http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=6658 or the one in http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=4456 I think there are other threads about these problems, these were the first two threads I found, and they may not be the same problem your vibe is having.

[psiu]

those both sound similar, thanks! gives me an idea of what to suggest to repair tech.

[tcam]

that problem seems to be really common, but luckily it's an easy fix. The actuator is only $30-$40 if I remember right

[psiu]

thats good, car going in tomorrow at 7:30 am. Had my wife troubleshoot at home today she confirmed that:a) air goes where its supposed to (vents defrost etc)b) ticking stops when its in recirculate mode

[psiu]

Thanks joatmon and tcam for the suggestions, about the only thing I should have mentioned to her is to have them price the part from a toyota dealership...$68 for the worn out motor thingy! Plus installation of course On the bright side she was able to describe the problem and she said the tech seemed to know exactly what she was talking about and we got the car back nice and quick. And they are only about a 5 minute walk away :DI really wish I had a garage (or even my own driveway) where I could do this stuff.