If you hear a clicking noise coming from behind the glove box, it is more likely that one of the electric actuators for the HVAC system is broken. However, if you are not familiar with what an actuator is, read on to find out more about this part, what causes it to fail, and most importantly, how to fix a clicking noise behind the glove box.
Key Takeaway
Clicking Noise Behind Glove Box – Causes & Fixes
- The most common cause for the clicking noise behind the glove box is a broken electric AC actuator.
- Get a new blend door actuator.
- Remove the glove box compartment.
- Locate the bad blend door actuator.
- Remove the broken blend door actuator by removing the two screws.
- Install the new blend door actuator.
- Reinstall the glove box compartment.
What Causes Clicking Noise Behind Glove Box
Car noises can be one of the most frustrating and baffling problems when it comes to car ownership. In some cases, like a clicking noise behind the glove box, it can be difficult to track down the source without help from a professional mechanic.
The most common cause for the clicking noise behind the glove box is a broken electric AC actuator. The AC actuator is an electrical component that controls airflow into the cabin of your car. It has gears that allow moving the blend door in order to open or close it. When these gears break, you will hear a clicking noise behind the glove box.
The actuator consists of two components-an electric motor, which powers a mixing wheel or rod attached to internal flaps controlling airflow. In response to commands from your climate control panel, this mechanism rotates or slides to change modes and mixtures quickly and silently. However, when the blend door actuator breaks, it will cause a clicking nose. Since it is located behind the glove box, that is where you will hear the noise coming from.
Pulling out and inspecting the AC actuator with a flashlight can often reveal broken flexible links or frayed wiring which are both signs of a faulty component. If you suspect this could be the problem, you should repair or replace the part before further damages occur and contact your mechanic for further assistance if needed.
What Does Your Blend Door Actuator Do?
Car AC blend door actuators are nothing short of essential when it comes to maintaining a comfortable climate inside the vehicle. While they may look small, they play a large role in controlling airflow. These actuators are typically located behind the center console or glove box and close up the air vents within the cabin.
A blend door actuator is usually a motorized device that operates on electricity and is connected to an arm attached to the air vent doors, which open and close accordingly. When you want more airflow into your car’s cabin, like to cool down or heat up quicker, these actuators move these arms in order to regulate the temperature by regulating the amount of fresh air coming into your vehicle’s cabin.
The average car blend door actuator contains two sprockets, one that drives a shaft assembly connected to an electrical switch, as well as another sprocket that comes with several gears leading from it.
Depending on what type of car you drive, these AC blend door actuators can come in various shapes and sizes but all contain integral components like gears and motors which do their part to open and close behind-the-dashboard vents that cool off those long summer road trips – or heat up those frigid winter road trips!
All things considered, understanding how this simple yet essential component operates can be quite invaluable if you’re looking for ways to customize your vehicle’s climate control system.
How To Fix Clicking Noise Behind Glove Box
A clicking noise behind the glove box is coming from a broken actuator that is trying to move the blend door in order to adjust the commands from your climate control panel. If you have this problem, here is how to fix the clicking noise coming from behind the glove box:
1. Required materials
- Blend door actuator
- Screwdriver
- Pliers
2. Remove the glove box compartment
The broken blend door actuator is located behind the glove box compartment. This is why we need to remove the whole glove box compartment. In order to remove the glove box compartment from your vehicle, there are a few steps to take. The first is to consult the owner’s manual for instructions from the manufacturer. If no instructions are provided, it is important to note whether there are fasteners holding the glove box in place such as screws or clips.
If so, these should be carefully removed with the appropriate tools such as a screwdriver or pliers. Once these fasteners have been taken off, the next step is to open and extend the glove box outward. If necessary, use two hands while extending so that nothing slips out of position prematurely.
This will give you an opportunity to access any additional connectors or fasteners that may need to be disconnected before removing the tray entirely. Finally, use caution when pulling out or lifting up the box since it may contain additional items or wires in need of removal first.
3. Locate the blend door actuator
Locating the blend door actuator can be easy, especially if you ordered a new one and you already know how it looks. Once you remove the whole glove box compartment, you will gain better access and you will be able to find it. The blend door actuator is usually located next to an air duct.
4. Remove the broken blend door actuator
The blend door actuator is held in place by one or two screws (depending on the make and model). But, most of the time it is just one screw. The tricky part is here to get your hand in and actually remove the screw. This is why you might need a short screwdriver. Slowly unscrew it. Watch the wiring and make sure you don’t yank anything off.
Once you remove the screw, catch it and store it safely. At this point, you should be able to pull out the broken blend door actuator. There will be one wire connected to the blend door actuator. It can be removed by pressing and pulling the plastic connector. Remember which wire it was so you will know which one to connect to the new blend door actuator.
5. Install the new blend door actuator
Installing the new blend door actuator is a reverse operation from installation. First, connect the wiring to the actuator and then place it and secure it with the same screw that you removed earlier. When you are done, move the actuator from left to right to see if there is any play. The actuator should be firmly in one place. At this point, you can actually test and see if the new actuator is working. To do so, start the car and adjust the temperature on the AC. The operation of the new blend door actuator should be silent.
6. Reinstall the glove box compartment
To reinstall the glove box compartment, you need to do everything that you did in reverse. Lift the glove box compartment up against the dashboard and slowly secure it one clip and one screw at a time. Again, when you are done, there should be no play. The glove box should be firmly in one place.
