5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
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I have a 2004 XLE V6 that just recently has started a clicking/ticking noise coming from the dash around the passanger side/glove box area. It sounds like a small electrical relay noise randomly making/braking its contacts. At first I thought it was the CD player (you know how it clicks when changing/loading CDs), but it happens with the radio turned off. The noise does not have any definite rhythm and it's not coming from the engine, but only makes the noise when the engine (and A/C) is running. I've noticed the noise will go away after the interior temperature cools down. Does anyone have any idea what is causing this clicking/ticking noise?
Something else that may help - since I have a XLE with the digital temperature control, is there a temperature sensor located somewhere that feeds a signal to the A/C controls for the cabin temperature to automatically adjust the cabin temperature/fan speed, etc.?
Apparently no one else has experienced this clicking/ticking noise that I have in the right-side dash area. I believe I have narrowed the search down to the noise being associated with the cabin temperature sensor for the automatic (XLE w/ digital readout) temperature A/C-Heat control. It's definitely a random relay clicking noise that is heard every two to five seconds until the cabin temperature reaches the temperature set on the digital A/C-Heat readout.
My question is this: Is there a relay [possibly temperature sensor relay] that is mounted behind the glove box (near the cabin air filter) that is associated with the A/C-Heat controls?
I believe there are a few relays around that area. Goto camrystuff.com and look at the electrical section. Once you find the relays try to use your hearing and your hand to locate the clicking relay.
I believe there are a few relays around that area. Goto camrystuff.com and look at the electrical section. Once you find the relays try to use your hearing and your hand to locate the clicking relay.
Thanks for the link to camrystuff.com It has a tremendous amount of information, which will be very helpful. I appreciate that!
I did not find any relays in the dash area, which eliminates that idea... Early this morning when everything was very quite I turned off the radio and the A/C controls and still heard the noise when I turned the ignition key to "On" without cranking the engine. (I guess that eliminates the A/C as a possible source of the noise!)
Paying very close attention - the noise sounds a lot like a tiny motor running, making a whirling sound that also has a random ticking/clicking sound with it like a relay or spring-loaded valve is opening or closing. Today was the first time I detected the whirling noise, because the ticking/clicking noise is much more obvious. (The road noise drowns-out the slight whirling sound, but not the ticking/clicking noise.) The noise appears to be coming from under the glove box area instead of the upper dash area as I originally thought.
I can pull-down the black plastic piece underneath the glove box and feel the clicking/ticking in an electrical part (maybe relay) that has wire terminals going to it. This electrical part is on the left-hand side, underneath the glove box, nearer the console.
The whirling and ticking/clicking noise always goes away after about 5-10 minutes, which leads me to think it might [possibly] have something to do with the emission system or gas vapor (vapor/canister/filter) system. (The noise starts with the ignition key turned to "On", but without the engine cranked-up.) I'm wondering if maybe [maybe] the noise has something to do with the gas ventilation system or an emission valve or pump, e.g. relay, valve, vacuum tank, purge valve, etc.
Post a pic of the electrical part that you are getting the noise from.
The first picture is of the part that I felt the clicking/ticking with my fingertips. I don't know if it was actually making the noise or the noise was being transmitted to or through this part.
The second picture is a wider picture showing a larger area that includes the same part (on the left-hand side) along with the fan motor behind and underneath the glovebox.
That looks like the air duct for the heater...maybe you got something inside - some debris or a small animal.
No... It's a definitely random ticking/clicking noise (like a relay clicking noise) that is coming directly from a car part. I know it's not a foreign [non-car part] object that is making the noise. Also, it's been making the noise for weeks now. As I said it stops making the random noise after 5-10 minutes of having the ignition "On" or driving the car for 5-10 minutes. Just turning the ignition "On" with the A/C and radio turned off (without cranking-up the engine) will produce the sound.
I am beginning to wonder if the cabin ventilation system (not the A/C-Heat-Fan system) that automatically moves a little air inside the cabin is the culprit for my clicking/ticking and whirling noise. I guess the picture I took (see above) is the fan housing for the cabin ventilation system. Does anyone know how long this cabin ventilation system is supposed to run? Is it always "On" as long as the ignition key is turned "On" to the accessory position? Or does it shut down after maybe 5-10 minutes?
I don't recall what componant that is in the picture. It's easy enough to remove from the case and see if that's making the noise though.
I'm wondering if you don't have a servo/actuator that's binding so that it keeps trying to open or close.
That could very well be what the noise is, because it sounds like a tiny motor running (whirling) along with the ticking sound.
Can you tell me exactly where the servo motor/actuator is located?
Also, isn't this the fan motor (in my picture) that provides the small amount of ventilation [cabin air movement] for a few minutes when you first turn On the ignition...and also [maybe] for a few minutes after you turn Off the ignition? (I seem to recall there is a small fan that provides this cabin air movement, but I may be wrong...and thinking about a BMW.)
Is this fan motor the same fan motor that handles the A/C-Heat-Defroster or is there a different fan motor mounted somewhere else up in the dash?
It appears this fan motor (in my picture taken from underneath the glove box) is the same motor that has the cabin air filter mounted above it, which is changed through the glove box opening. If that's the case, then I guess I only have one fan motor. Is there one fan motor or two fan motors in my car's total ventilation/Heat/A/C/Defroster system?
Any idea exactly where the servo/actuator is located?
I really do appreciate all your help... Thank you!
There's only one blower motor for all the air circulation in the cabin. There is some kind of mechanism that directs air flow to your chosen setting. I don't know how it works though.
I dunno about automatically changing the settings though. Does your XLE have automatic environmental controls? For example you just set the temp and leave it?
If you have the automatic controls, it could be doing something to bring the interior temperature to your desired setting.
There's only one blower motor for all the air circulation in the cabin. There is some kind of mechanism that directs air flow to your chosen setting. I don't know how it works though.
I dunno about automatically changing the settings though. Does your XLE have automatic environmental controls? For example you just set the temp and leave it?
If you have the automatic controls, it could be doing something to bring the interior temperature to your desired setting.
Yes, it does have the automatic (digital temperature readout) control.
"TRD VVTi" mentioned that the noise may be coming from a servo/actuator motor. I am somewhat familiar with the sound of a servo motor...and indeed the whirling noise does sound like that of a very small servo motor stressed under load. And the clicking/ticking noise sounds like a small nylon gear that may be trying to move some part or linkage that won't fully move as it should. This description of the whirling and clicking/ticking noise sounds exactly like a very small servo motor (slow rpm & high torque) under load with a nylon gear that can't accomplish it's designed task of moving some associated part, e.g. linkage for duct damper door, etc.
I can't imagine how anything could have changed inside the ventilation (A/C-Heat/Defroster) system that might cause a servo motor/gear to become stressed or unable to open a damper door. But there is always that chance...
Any help on where such a servo/actuator might be located down below the glove box (actually above where a passenger's feet are located if he had his feet all the way up on the inclined carpet nearest the firewall) would be appreciated.
Well, after a lot of looking and touching as well as holding a screw driver to my ear while being in an upside down position with all the blood in my body running toward my head...I "think" I finally found the culprit of my whirling and ticking/clicking noise.
The picture (above) shows a red arrow pointing to the part that I "think" is making the noise. I can put my hand and fingers on this part and feel the distinct vibration of its guts moving inside the housing case. Is this a servo-motor? Does anyone know how easy it is to change? Are there going to be any surprises - like a linkage rod that will be difficult, if not next to impossible, to hook back up?
Also, for whatever it's worth, I changed airflow settings (face/feet/combination/defroster) and the airflow was full and accurate for all the settings. Thus, it appears I do not have a damper door that is stuck or its linkage rod disconnected. Therefore, I still have no idea what this part does or controls.
I spent 5 minutes looking at my '07 manual and it looks like the Air Mix Servo motor for the Passenger area if your olfd A/C system is like the '07s. It mixes fresh and reirculated air. There are 3 or 4 other servos in my system also.
Whether it is that servo or not, pull it out, replace it and get rid of this thread.....................
I spent 5 minutes looking at my '07 manual and it looks like the Air Mix Servo motor for the Passenger area if your olfd A/C system is like the '07s. It mixes fresh and reirculated air. There are 3 or 4 other servos in my system also.
Whether it is that servo or not, pull it out, replace it and get rid of this thread.....................
Yep, it's the passenger-side air mix control servomotor and arm that's making the whirling/clicking noise. Can you believe Toyota wants $160.00 just for the little part! And another $400-$800.00 for labor to change it! Something tells me the driver-side air mix control is all I really need...
I see that an "amplifier" controls this air mix control servomotor, and probably reverses the voltage (and damper door) based on cabin air parameters, e.g. temperature, humidity, etc.
Can anyone tell me if I can just unplug this servomotor (to eliminate the whirling/ticking noise) without causing the amplifier that controls it to go crazy on me?
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Relay Clicking/Ticking Noise in Dash
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