An annoying noise

[Bsharp1223]

I am hearing this noise from time to time. As best I can tell it’s coming from drivers side under the dash but not 100% sure. Sometimes it seems if I shut the car off and restart it it’ll stop, but I hear it randomly again every so often. Figured worth a shot to ask if anyone heard this and might know what it is. 2003 z71 Tahoe thanks

 

[OR VietVet]

That is a weird one but may well be the blend door actuator. Others here will have opinions. Does it do that noise if just sitting there? What is activated at the dash when noise happens?

 

[Bsharp1223]

hmm, I’ll have to pay more attention and report back. It’s seemingly so random I haven’t put any pieces of the puzzle together. Thank you!

 

[Bsharp1223]

hmm, I’ll have to pay more attention and report back. It’s seemingly so random I haven’t put any pieces of the puzzle together. Thank you!

Yes….it does it just sitting there while running, if I understood the question correctly. Not off

 

[Doubeleive]

try adjusting the hvac settings to something different than what they are now, likely since it is summer you have it set to cool
try setting it to heat and move the air to some other position (floor or defrost, etc), then leave it like that, take out the key, open the drivers door, then put the key back in and see if the noise goes away or changes if so then it's a blend door actuator.

 

[swathdiver]

Sounds like a cricket or some kind of critter! The mode actuator is down on that side.

 

[Matthew Jeschke]

Mind did that too. It was the blend door actuator as previously mentioned. When I selected a different position it would stop. I had to replace the actuator in the end.

 

[Bsharp1223]

I appreciate the insight everyone

 

[rockola1971]

That is a weird one but may well be the blend door actuator. Others here will have opinions. Does it do that noise if just sitting there? What is activated at the dash when noise happens?

Yup sounds exactly like a blend door actuator that is hunting for a position. The one making the noise is on the right side of the drivers compartment just above the tranny hump. You have to remove your lower dash cover that sits just above your brake and throttle pedal to access it. The reason the actuator is hunting for a position is because the feedback signal is off which is caused by either worn teeth on some plastic gears in the assembly and/or the resistive feedback element is worn/dirty/corroded. No real way to fix them as no internal parts are available and they are cheap enough to buy a replacement and be done with it.