Help Diagnosing a Strange Noise?
#1
Help Diagnosing a Strange Noise?
'Ello everyone... been awhile since I've been able to log in, but I've got a strange noise and I'm hoping the HHR community is up to the task of helping diagnose it.
When I start my SS in cold weather, there's a noise in the interior dashboard behind the glove compartment that sounds like a fan blade or a loud ticking/thumping noise. It only lasts for about 5 seconds and then I never hear it again until I turn the car off for awhile.
My first thought was something with a blower motor or the cabin fan or something back there, but why would this only happen when it's cold and only for a short period of time?
Anyone have any similar experiences that I can leverage off of to see if I can get this diagnosed before having to take it to a Stealership?
Thanks!
a76marine
When I start my SS in cold weather, there's a noise in the interior dashboard behind the glove compartment that sounds like a fan blade or a loud ticking/thumping noise. It only lasts for about 5 seconds and then I never hear it again until I turn the car off for awhile.
My first thought was something with a blower motor or the cabin fan or something back there, but why would this only happen when it's cold and only for a short period of time?
Anyone have any similar experiences that I can leverage off of to see if I can get this diagnosed before having to take it to a Stealership?
Thanks!
a76marine
#2
Make sure the fan motor is turned off when you start the car - if the noise is still there then it is not the fan motor.
Check the cabin filter in the glove box - pull it out and replace it if it is due for replacement, have a look inside to see if there is any debris in there that needs to be cleaned out.
Check the cabin filter in the glove box - pull it out and replace it if it is due for replacement, have a look inside to see if there is any debris in there that needs to be cleaned out.
#3
I agree with whopper, determine if it is the fan blower motor first.
I have seen electric fan motors (not automotive but till an electric motor) start up under cold conditions making noise and then clear up within a few seconds. The problem here is that the cold temp has caused the bearing grease to harden, after running a few seconds it screeches / hums and then the grease warms just enough to start lubing again and the noise goes away. I have on occasion tore the motor down and re-greased the bearings and the problem goes away.
Let us know if it is coming from your blower motor first.
I have seen electric fan motors (not automotive but till an electric motor) start up under cold conditions making noise and then clear up within a few seconds. The problem here is that the cold temp has caused the bearing grease to harden, after running a few seconds it screeches / hums and then the grease warms just enough to start lubing again and the noise goes away. I have on occasion tore the motor down and re-greased the bearings and the problem goes away.
Let us know if it is coming from your blower motor first.
#5
Could you describe it like a gurgling noise? That happens to me sometimes during a cold start. It lasts for a few seconds when I start moving, kind of like fluid or bubbles moving through a pipe. I just top off the Dex-Cool as it can get a little low sometimes. That takes care of my cold start up noise.
#6
ticking/thumping and gurgling are 2 different sounds.....with 2 different "options". Gurgling usually is air in the cooling system.
I agree with the suggestion regarding the thumping. Sounds like the fan blade/motor.
Funny thing, I had the same symptom, only on an up right freezer. I hit it a couple times on the side (suggested by my usual appliance repair guy) and it stopped. Never had a problem again.
I agree with the suggestion regarding the thumping. Sounds like the fan blade/motor.
Funny thing, I had the same symptom, only on an up right freezer. I hit it a couple times on the side (suggested by my usual appliance repair guy) and it stopped. Never had a problem again.
#7
When I worked for dodge I have seen the mode and temp door actuators make a clicking noise for a few seconds when they reached the end of there travel. The plastic gears inside the actuator would skip over worn teeth. I don't know if the actuators on the hhr could do this but it seems possible. I know the actuators on the hhr are in the center of the dash but I think there is a recirculation actuator behind the glove box area.
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