Ticking From Behind The Dash?

Jackson · May 30, 2008

Hey guys......I got a ticking coming from behind the dash on the driver's side. it's consistent and not real loud..........but sounds like a ticking bomb.

I've already replaced the relay under the hood and that didn't fix it. it stops when you kill it and re-crank it.

anyway, it's a 2003 GMC Yukon. any ideas what it is? thanks

bobcat5544 · May 30, 2008

Most likely the tick noise you hear is the Insturment Cluster or a bad AC/Heater Mode or Blend Door Actuator.

When does the noise happen? Does it go away after a few min? Does it speed up or slow down?

I just need more info so I can help you.

Also try to adjust the settings on your AC/Heater Control, mover the dials around and see if the sound goes away.

cammiller · May 31, 2008

Agreed. However, if it is the AC doors, there is a calibration update to help with this.

Jackson · May 31, 2008

adjusting the controls does nothing.. it will start sometimes going down the road or the minute you crank it. but like tonight when we got out of the movie it immediately started. I turned the engine off, re-cranked it and it didn't do it the whole way home. it's only with the AC on and/or during the summer which is weird because the AC does run with the defroster in the winter however it never does it during the winter or colder months until we start using the AC when it gets warmer.

speeding up or slowing down also has no effect. it's a consitant like clock work tick. it actually sounds like I have an clock inside the dash.

thanks for the help fellas.

Jackson · June 1, 2008

Most likely the tick noise you hear is the Insturment Cluster or a bad AC/Heater Mode or Blend Door Actuator.

if the problem ends up being any of these issues you described, what would you suggest I do to fix this? considering the post above this of course.

thanks again.

jrbean · June 1, 2008

I had an 03 HD that made the same noise you are describing. It was the mode door actuator mounted on the left side of the a/c box, just to the right of your gas pedal. Next time it starts making the noise simply place your hand on the actuator and you will be able to feel the clicking. You might have to slide the floor vent out of the way to gain access to it.

Jackson · June 2, 2008

I had an 03 HD that made the same noise you are describing. It was the mode door actuator mounted on the left side of the a/c box, just to the right of your gas pedal. Next time it starts making the noise simply place your hand on the actuator and you will be able to feel the clicking. You might have to slide the floor vent out of the way to gain access to it.

thanks man. I'll definitely check that out. how much do you think one of those run?

svensk · June 2, 2008

I've got something similar except my noise sounds like a piece of plastic or something blowing around inside the dash under low speeds whenever there is vacuum from the throttle being pushed. Could this be a busted piece from an actuator?

Jackson · June 2, 2008

Hey guys, is this the AC mode door actuator you were talking about? in the add it says there are 3 for dual climate control vehicles. (my Yukon is dual climate) how can find out which one I need?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-Truck-...0242428145&

bobcat5544 · June 2, 2008

all the doors actuators are the same part #, far as which one to replace will depend on which lever you moved that cuase the sound to stop.

Jackson · June 2, 2008

that's just it. the only way to make it stop is to kill the truck and re-start it. playing with the controls as mentioned previously does nothing to stop it. I'll try to play with it some more however to see if I can make it stop with the controls.

bobcat5544 · June 2, 2008

Keep in mind if there is a bad actuator one of the controls will stop the noise. If you adjust one lever at a time (hot /cold) (floor-vents-defrost) and the air reculation button on/off. And the noise does not go away at any of these settings then you don't have a actuator door motor problem.

Jackson · June 3, 2008

this site rocks. thanks for all your invaluable info Jonesy. I'll check the controls to see if I can make it stop. if not, back to square one.

cpuetz · June 6, 2008

I'm having the same ticking noise from the dash. It sounds like a clock ticking.

The manual says, "When you start your engine and begin to drive away, your anti-lock brake system will check itself. You may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise whil this test is going on. This is normal."

I am wondering if this is the what the ticking sound is. The ticking noise on our Yukon is not just momentary. It goes for quite a long time but will eventually stop. It seems to happen after the vehicle has not been drove in awhile.

I found this previous post and also replied to it. Sounds like the same thing.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=71574

Please let me know if this is a normal sound.

Jackson · June 6, 2008

that's definitely not the same thing issue I'm having. I hope you figure it out though. my wife drives the Yukon so I haven't had a chance to try and mess with the controls to make it stop in hopes it's the actuator. however I'm pretty sure it's not going to stop because it seems I tried that a year ago and it didn't fix it.

the irritating thing is it only does it every now and then and once you just put it in neutral, turn off the engine, then re-crank it goes away. crazy...........that's what led me to believe it was a relay. however I changed it out and nothing changed.