GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Vibe User Group 270516 Ticking noise from middle of dashboard

Dear fellow vibe Owners, today when I started my 2005 vibe, I experienced a Ticking noise from middle of my dashboard. I turned the engine off and the key position to accessories, turned off the radio, fan, air conditioning, CD player, and the noise persisted. It stopped when I completely turned the key off.

Has any one else experienced this noise? what was the cause?

Did it sound internal or external? How loud was it?

Could it be lifter tick? That's the only thing I could think of. Sometimes you can hear it even inside the car

Probably not the lifters if the engine is off.

How quickly does it tick? Is it a regular rate and rhythm?

It's clearly something electrical. Do you have an aftermarket radio?

oops sorry I thought he said it only stopped when the engine was off not the key

Have you checked to make sure it is not the AC recirculate gear? The teeth on the gear break often and when that happens, the gear causes a clicking noise in the center of the dash. It often goes away if you press the recirc button.

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=3435&p=507341

Good luck with it

This video might be relevant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUKgs6VIUY0

I can't hear it from here but I thing trb's reply has hit the nail on the head. The stripped plastic gear will make a sound like that as the teeth jump.

You all have hit the nail on the head, and even provided a youtube film showing how to fix it. It is great being a member of this group! Thanks very much. JC