2002 DTS 225,000 miles.
Whenever I start the engine, there is a clicking/tapping noise for about 5 seconds. It is coming from behind the center vent and a little to the left. I removed the radio and climate controllers, but it is behind those units and maybe above. There are things in the way, so I can't see beyond the brackets.
After playing with the climate controls, I suspect it is a damper or some unit that controls the doors in the vents. Whenever I turn the AC off, then turn it back on then there is a clicking for 5 seconds. It is about 2 -3 clicks per second. Also if I change the mode to have the air blow on the floor, then back to the vents on the dashboard, the clicking starts again.
Is there a motor that opens and closes the damper in the vents (or is it vacuum lines?) I suspect maybe the valve in the vent may be "creaking" and it sound like clicks when the door tries to move? Maybe something is gummed up or lint is on the door and causes it to get stuck, so it pops a little at a time when trying to change positions?
How hard is it to remove the top of the dashboard? If I had to guess, it seems like the noise is about 3 inches below the top of the dashboard and maybe 2 inches to the right of the fuel gage. (or maybe 6-8 inches behind the Hazard button and 1/2 way to the left towards the Instrument panel.
Any other ideas?
Thanks!
Whenever I start the engine, there is a clicking/tapping noise for about 5 seconds. It is coming from behind the center vent and a little to the left. I removed the radio and climate controllers, but it is behind those units and maybe above. There are things in the way, so I can't see beyond the brackets.
After playing with the climate controls, I suspect it is a damper or some unit that controls the doors in the vents. Whenever I turn the AC off, then turn it back on then there is a clicking for 5 seconds. It is about 2 -3 clicks per second. Also if I change the mode to have the air blow on the floor, then back to the vents on the dashboard, the clicking starts again.
Is there a motor that opens and closes the damper in the vents (or is it vacuum lines?) I suspect maybe the valve in the vent may be "creaking" and it sound like clicks when the door tries to move? Maybe something is gummed up or lint is on the door and causes it to get stuck, so it pops a little at a time when trying to change positions?
How hard is it to remove the top of the dashboard? If I had to guess, it seems like the noise is about 3 inches below the top of the dashboard and maybe 2 inches to the right of the fuel gage. (or maybe 6-8 inches behind the Hazard button and 1/2 way to the left towards the Instrument panel.
Any other ideas?
Thanks!