Strange tapping sound coming from the dashboard

[gnhbodyguy]

There is this strange tapping sound coming from the center area of the 04 dashboard. Been that way the two years I've owned the car.

Take a listen. You may have to turn up the sound.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn_BdAiwHEc[/ame]

The engine does not have to be running, the key can just be in the on position for the noise to happen.

It doesn't matter if the climate control is on or off, and if the stereo is on or off.

It doesn't happen all the time, about half the time. No pattern that I can figure out. Just random.

Any idea what is causing it, and how to fix?

 

[IMSITINGINYOURCHAIR]

sounds like an out of sync actuator, I messed mine up in my 00 custom and as a result if i put the temp to full cold it would try to go to far and do the same thing.

 

[gnhbodyguy]

I'll try to disconnect the battery to re-calibrate the actuator motor procedure that I now see online.

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Actuator Recalibration
When replacing the HVAC control module it will be necessary to allow the HVAC control module to perform a calibration process. When installing the HVAC control module be sure to perform the following:

Important: Do not adjust any controls on the HVAC control module while the HVAC control module is self-calibrating. If interrupted, improper HVAC performance will result.

Place the ignition switch to the OFF position.
Disconnect the scan tool.
Install the HVAC control module.
Connect all previously disconnected components.
Start the vehicle.
Wait 40 seconds for the HVAC control module to self-calibrate.
Verify that no DTCs have set as current DTCs.
When replacing the HVAC actuator it will be necessary to allow the HVAC control module to perform a calibration process. When installing the HVAC actuator be sure to perform one of the following:

Important: Do not adjust any controls on the HVAC control module while the HVAC control module is self-calibrating. If interrupted, improper HVAC performance will result.

Preferred Method (w/ Scan Tool)
Clear all DTCs.
Place the ignition switch in the OFF position.
Install the HVAC actuator.
Connect all previously disconnected components.
Start the vehicle.
With the scan tool, initiate the Motor Re-calibration feature of the Heating and Air Conditioning Special Functions menu.
Verify that no DTCs have set as current DTCs.
Important: Do not adjust any controls on the HVAC control module while the HVAC control module is self-calibrating. If interrupted, improper HVAC performance will result.

Alternate Method (w/o Scan Tool)
Clear all DTCs.
Place the ignition switch to the OFF position.
Install the HVAC actuator.
Connect all previously disconnected components.
Remove the HVAC/ECAS fuse for a minimum of 10 seconds.
Install the HVAC/ECAS fuse.
Start the vehicle.
Wait 40 seconds for the HVAC control module to self-calibrate.
Verify that no DTCs have set as current DTCs.

 

[1380Ken]

My 2005 makes the same noise. Not very often and has only happened when I was driving to work on the highway. I thought it may of been something in the vent getting blown around by the highway wind. It is interesting that it happens when your car is not running.
I have not noticed any strange behavior from my heat or AC.

 

[gnhbodyguy]

Knock on wood that fixed it.

I disconnected the battery with the climate control switch in the off position.

When I reconnected the battery I could hear it re-calibrating.

When I turned the car on, no sound at all.

So, not exactly how the procedure described it, but I'm not complaining.

Took it for a test drive and all is well so far...

That noise was very annoying...

 

[andrewjs18]

I'm glad you started this thread as my '04 does this as well.

I guess I'll be trying this out sometime in the future.

 

[andrewjs18]

gnhbodyguy,

when you disconnected the battery and then hooked it back up, did you let the system recalibrate for the 40-60 seconds before starting the car or did you start the car and let it recalibrate?

 

[IMSITINGINYOURCHAIR]

What I would do:

Turn car to on, turn off climate control.
Turn off car.
Disconnect battery ground. Leave for 10/15 mins (this will also clear the ecm parameters for the engine which may lead to a rough first start. this is normal and a good time for an aging sensor to set a ses light)

reconnect battery, turn ign to ON and leave climate control off or turn it off.

 

[andrewjs18]

What I would do:

Turn car to on, turn off climate control.
Turn off car.
Disconnect battery ground. Leave for 10/15 mins (this will also clear the ecm parameters for the engine which may lead to a rough first start. this is normal and a good time for an aging sensor to set a ses light)

reconnect battery, turn ign to ON and leave climate control off or turn it off.

thanks, I'll have to give that a try.

 

[gnhbodyguy]

I had no control over when it started. It automatically recalibrated right after battery hookup. The noise is back. I just drown it out with the stereo...
I only waited a few minutes after battery disconnect.

 

[andrewjs18]

I had no control over when it started. It automatically recalibrated right after battery hookup. The noise is back. I just drown it out with the stereo...
I only waited a few minutes after battery disconnect.

I'm going to disconnect my battery for a good 20-30 minutes tomorrow while I check my tires air pressure and fill them up accordingly.

hopefully that'll be long enough to clear out whatever needs to be cleared and have the system recalibrate correctly when the ground is hooked back up.

 

[gnhbodyguy]

If you randomly hit some buttons on the climate control, it's been known to sometimes stop the noise.

 

[andrewjs18]

If you randomly hit some buttons on the climate control, it's been known to sometimes stop the noise.

well, my fingers are crossed that having the battery disconnected for about 20-25min has allowed it to correct itself. I did notice that after the battery was hooked back up and I put the key in the on position, the climate control went to auto and it started doing its thing for about a good 30-45 seconds before any air started coming out. I assume it was adjusting its system.

 

[andrewjs18]

been hearing the gremlins under the dash and a tapping noise again, sadly.

would a bad actuator cause poor cooling? mine blows ice cold.

 

[gnhbodyguy]

I'm thinking noisy and bad are two different things.
Mine is noisy sometimes, but never blows wrong. Cold id cold. Hot is hot. vent, lower, and defrost all work right.
Pressing random buttons just about always makes it go away.