Its that time of year again! Whats clicking behind my dash in cold weather??

[Stangman]

I had the problem for a short period of time in winter '08 right before I totalled the car back in '09... however never had it do it a lot.

I've tried searching, but only came across dead threads w/ no answers.

So the guestion is..... what is the repetitive clicking behind the dash??? It will do it sometimes 3-5 minutes... sometimes 5-10 minutes.... its annoying as hell!!!

How many of you have that problem?

 

[Dave 88 LSC]

Climate control valves trying to open or close to a specific position.
My 88 LSC used to do it.

 

[Stangman]

Any way to repair it? It can't be good for whatever it is to click like that

 

[Marcus]

From what I've heard, it's most likely your blend door actuator. First gens breaking are much more rare than second gens and they break in a different way, but it can happen. What happens is that the teeth of the internal gearing break off, but the motor keeps running, trying to open or close the blend door, causing it to click constantly. I'm pretty sure you'll need to find a used actuator because they're no longer available new.

 

[Stangman]

Thank you. That is a big help to getting me in the right direction..... now to find one NOT broken! LOL

This would also explain why when on floor and defrost, it only spits out hot air on the floor! Dang!

 

[SATURN5]

Squirrels... <G>

 

[Stangman]

Squirrels... <G>

Lol! As long as its sat..... it wouldn't surprise me!

If I can't find an actuator I might have to have RAW performance engineering fab one out of aluminum

 

[NoLimit95]

Jesse, mine does it sometimes when it's cold. I found the quickest way to stop it and hear less of it is to let the car warm up before going anywhere. When you do get in to go, set the heat for around 78 and the faster it warms up, the quicker the noise will stop. As you're driving, start bringing the temp down a degree at a time. it should stop at 72 to 74 and the longer it has to get warm, the higher you can raise the temp. Give it a try, you'll learn it until you get it fixed. Yes, it is annoying.

 

[marked8]

From what I've heard, it's most likely your blend door actuator. First gens breaking are much more rare than second gens and they break in a different way, but it can happen. What happens is that the teeth of the internal gearing break off, but the motor keeps running, trying to open or close the blend door, causing it to click constantly. I'm pretty sure you'll need to find a used actuator because they're no longer available new.

Yep, that is exactly what it is. The internal gears are made of plastic, and Ford decided to cover them in grease. They strip the teeth and you get that clicking noise. Pretty soon, it will be stuck into one position like on Gen II's. Your best bet since they do not make them anymore is to find and remove on in a junkyard.

 

[mistermaclincoln]

Ok, I thought that Gen 1 didn't have a actuator? I have the same noise and I replaced the blend door with a brand new one and I still get cold air from the deforst and hot air from the floor. I still think that it's my eatc but I will have to get a different one to test with. What do y'all think?