Tapping sound coming from dash

[silverbullet04]

It appears I have a tapping sound coming from my dash area when the car is running, its there if the climate control is on or off. Sometimes it goes away after the car is running for a while.

Im thinking its a blend door actuator? Any other ideas?

 

[02LTD2.0]

I get a tapping noise from the dash as well sometimes. When it makes the noise I turn off my HVAC and the noise usually stops. I still have heat coming out where I select it to go so I'm not too worried about it for now.

As for your issue it very well be a blend door trying to find it's home position.

 

[silverbullet04]

I get a tapping noise from the dash as well sometimes. When it makes the noise I turn off my HVAC and the noise usually stops. I still have heat coming out where I select it to go so I'm not too worried about it for now.

As for your issue it very well be a blend door trying to find it's home position.

Unfortunately when I turn my hvac off, I still get the noise. Its strange. Eventually it will stop after the car is running for a bit.

 

[02LTD2.0]

Unfortunately when I turn my hvac off, I still get the noise. Its strange. Eventually it will stop after the car is running for a bit.

Does your air go where it's selected?

 

[silverbullet04]

Does your air go where it's selected?

For the most part, yes. Its not that strong when you put it on the floor, but everywhere else it is.

 

[RD_Atlanta]

I think it haves to be one of the stepper motors. One thing that saved me some time is focusing which side of the radio as for which stepper motor is causing the noise. Both sides are easy to access the stepper motors, but it saves time knowing which side to target. Have a look at this thread...

R

Thread 'Under Dash annoying Click-Clack noise'

Jul 2, 2025

If anyone experiences an annoying click-clack noise under the passenger side dash, In my case, on all (3) of my 2003-2005 (should apply to 2000-2205), the noise was the air inlet motor (see diagram). In my case it did not require replacing the motor but to simply re-arc the motor position feedback wiper springs (see photo). When these loose tension, the motor will over-travel, causing the annoying click-Clack noise when set to vent (fresh air).

• RD_Atlanta
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Buick LeSabre Forum

• 

I've seen on this forum where the root cause was a physically damaged plastic gear but in my case there was not enough spring tension in the feedback wipers causing the HVAC controller to hunt for the correct position. All I had to do was increase the spring tension a little on the wiper arms. In my case, it was the stepper motor on the drivers side which is real easy to access.

 

[silverbullet04]

I think it haves to be one of the stepper motors. One thing that saved me some time is focusing which side of the radio as for which stepper motor is causing the noise. Both sides are easy to access the stepper motors, but it saves time knowing which side to target. Have a look at this thread...

R

Thread 'Under Dash annoying Click-Clack noise'

Jul 2, 2025

If anyone experiences an annoying click-clack noise under the passenger side dash, In my case, on all (3) of my 2003-2005 (should apply to 2000-2205), the noise was the air inlet motor (see diagram). In my case it did not require replacing the motor but to simply re-arc the motor position feedback wiper springs (see photo). When these loose tension, the motor will over-travel, causing the annoying click-Clack noise when set to vent (fresh air).

• RD_Atlanta
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Buick LeSabre Forum

• 

I've seen on this forum where the root cause was a physically damaged plastic gear but in my case there was not enough spring tension in the feedback wipers causing the HVAC controller to hunt for the correct position. All I had to do was increase the spring tension a little on the wiper arms. In my case, it was the stepper motor on the drivers side which is real easy to access.

Thank you for the advice. Im gonna check it out when the snow passes. We are having a snow storm right now and I started the car this morning to defrost it and the noise was there for about 5 minutes and went away.

 

[ulycyc]

I find the tapping/crinking is a winter thing or just a old car. My bones do the same thing until I have my coffee

 

[silverbullet04]

I find the tapping/crinking is a winter thing or just a old car. My bones do the same thing until I have my coffee

Indeed. My car has winter rattles for sure.

 

[JimP]

I had that same tapping noise when I first bough the car, 2004 custom, 6 months ago. Miraculously and mysteriously it went away lately. Perhaps turning the car on and off per the "coding a new transponder key process" is what corrected mine because since losing my only key, buying a new one and programming, I no longer have that tapping noise. All my HIVAC modes appear to be working fine too. I understand the gate motors initialize position on power up.
On the other hand, I've read that the motor is "hunting" looking for feedback from a potentiometer that changes value based on the motor/gate position. Apparently, sometimes the wiper on the pot loses contact with the resistive element over time. I've heard you can restore some of the spring contact pressure if you take the thing a part. Beware this is all second hand advice and.......... confusious (sp?) says " problems that go away mysteriously come back mysteriously". ( I made that up)

 

[silverbullet04]

I had that same tapping noise when I first bough the car, 2004 custom, 6 months ago. Miraculously and mysteriously it went away lately. Perhaps turning the car on and off per the "coding a new transponder key process" is what corrected mine because since losing my only key, buying a new one and programming, I no longer have that tapping noise. All my HIVAC modes appear to be working fine too. I understand the gate motors initialize position on power up.
On the other hand, I've read that the motor is "hunting" looking for feedback from a potentiometer that changes value based on the motor/gate position. Apparently, sometimes the wiper on the pot loses contact with the resistive element over time. I've heard you can restore some of the spring contact pressure if you take the thing a part. Beware this is all second hand advice and.......... confusious (sp?) says " problems that go away mysteriously come back mysteriously". ( I made that up)

Once the car is running for a bit, the tapping under the dash stops.

Older GM vehicles can be so strange.