Strange Noise from Dashboard?

[kb2144a]

Hi all. I've got a 2003 vibe, and it's been taken care of well. Just yesterday out of nowhere I began to hear this wierd noise coming from the passenger side dash area. It sounds like a drum beat, like click, click, click click click, click, click, click click click. It repeats and doesn't stop. The noise is made when the car is turned off, but in battery/accessory mode. I've tried turning the radio off, the A/C, and it still happens. I can hear it when I pop the hood. Everything on the inside looks good.Any ideas would be appreciated!

[ou.grizzly]

HVAC Control Door maybe?

[kb2144a]

Thanks. I'm not very mechanically inclined. Would you be able to elaborate? I attached a picture and circled where it sounds like it's coming from.Thanks for the help!

Attached files

[joatmon]

that was my guess, just based on the thread title Welcome to genvibe.There is a motor on the HVAC system that moves a flap, switches between fresh air and recirulate. It is turning out to be a fairly common failure item in Vibes. The problem is that the motor is always under load, pushes the door one way, then keeps pushing on it. Never shuts off. Turn on Recirc, it pushes the door the other way, and keeps pushing on it after it stops. This puts a strain on a plastic gear in the motor assembly, which eventually strips a few teeth off the gear. Then the motor catches, hits the missing teeth and lets go, catches again, endlessly. To verify that this is the problem, switch to Recirc and see if the noise stops.There are a number of threads here about this problem, not sure which is best to refer you to. It isn't mechanically challenging to replace the motor yourself, but it is in a tight spot, so it's physically challenging. It's cheaper to replace it yourself, some have even taken it apart, rotated the stripped gear half a turn and put it back together. A zero cost option, but more mechanically involved. Probably the most expensive option would be to take it to a dealer to get it fixed.

[kb2144a]

Thanks for the info. I will try the recirc idea tonight, and I'll let you know if it works!

[kb2144a]

Hey all,Geniuses! Engaging the re circulation button DOES stop the noise! Thanks for all of the help!Do you know of any good resources that can explain how to change out the motor in DIY fashion? (or even, what would be a good way to search online for ways to fix...not even sure what to call the issue in a search)Also, does anyone know how much something like that "should" cost if I took it to repair shop?Thanks again!

[kb2144a]

What is the worse case scenario of this doesn't get fixed? Will it burn out the unit?

[joatmon]

Quote, originally posted by kb2144a »Hey all,Geniuses! Engaging the re circulation button DOES stop the noise! Thanks for all of the help!Do you know of any good resources that can explain how to change out the motor in DIY fashion? (or even, what would be a good way to search online for ways to fix...not even sure what to call the issue in a search)Also, does anyone know how much something like that "should" cost if I took it to repair shop?Thanks again!There's a search link at the top of every page, it doesn't always work the way one might want thoughHere are three of the threads about thishttp://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=4456http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=24332http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=29575Quote, originally posted by kb2144a »What is the worse case scenario of this doesn't get fixed? Will it burn out the unit?I prefer fresh air, which helps the interior of the car stay drier, so I'd hate to have to drive around in recirc mode all the time. But that is an option. You can probably just leave it clicking in fresh air mode, but that will cause you to go insane listening to the noise, that or you'll grow to hate your car. When I had the problem, until I could fix it I just disconnected the wires from the motor