GSD Posted May 30, 2008 Posted May 30, 2008 My C3 has recently started to make a loud clicking noise behind the dashboard quite soon after starting off. This lasts for a few seconds and seems to happen after the aircon compressor has cut in and the temperature in the car has reached the level set on the aircon controller. After the clicking stops the aircon seems to function quite normally. I can replicate the problem by setting the aircon to 'Lo' and then raising the set temperature to close to ambient, after which the clicking will recur for a few seconds. If the ambient temperature is less than the aircon's set temperature then the clicking doesn't happen. Any advice regarding the cause of this and how to prevent it happening would be most welcome. Many thanks, GSD. Quote
stimulator Posted May 30, 2008 Posted May 30, 2008 Can you get this to the same by pressing the RECIRC button on the control panel. If yes then it's the heater diverter flap stepper motor and is a common fault. What happens when you first start the engine is the flap is moved to take in the internal air as it's effectively warmer than outside. After a few seconds it reverts to outside air. If you can get it to it by pressing the RECIRC then the gear or the flap cog have a broken tooth on them and the noise is the system slipping. My 54 SX did the same. dealer changed it under warranty. Quote
GSD Posted May 30, 2008 Author Posted May 30, 2008 Can you get this to the same by pressing the RECIRC button on the control panel. If yes then it's the heater diverter flap stepper motor and is a common fault. What happens when you first start the engine is the flap is moved to take in the internal air as it's effectively warmer than outside. After a few seconds it reverts to outside air. If you can get it to it by pressing the RECIRC then the gear or the flap cog have a broken tooth on them and the noise is the system slipping. My 54 SX did the same. dealer changed it under warranty. Thanks very much indeed for this but as I haven't got the car with me today I won't be able to test the aircon by pressing the RECIRC button until tomorrow. Unfortunately the car is out of warranty so I just wondered if any particular damage will be done if I just leave things as they are and simply tolerate the noise rather than spending money on a replacement flap? If the dash has to come out this could be pretty expensive. GSD. Quote
stimulator Posted May 31, 2008 Posted May 31, 2008 The problem here is that the system is trying to move the diverter flap and it can't due to a broken cog or split nylon gear. This being the case the heating/air con will not work correctly. I suggest you approach the dealer who sold the car to you and tell them about the noise. It was a known item and they may do the job as a free will gesture, yes it has been known to be so. But first check if it does as I say. Quote
raveydavey Posted June 1, 2008 Posted June 1, 2008 A friend of mine had this very same problem on his Peugeot. The dealer gave him two options (the car was out of warranty) - new stepper motor or they would just set the flap to external air supply and disconnect the motor. Given the price they were quoting for a new motor he just had it disconnected, which they did FOC as the car was in for a service. He's had no further problems. Quote
martbass Posted November 5, 2009 Posted November 5, 2009 Hi I have the same problem.Can anyone advise what I need to remove to get at the motor/flap so I can disconnect it? thanks martin Quote
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