On several occasions I've heard a strange sound in the area of the glove compartment. I usually happens right after the car is started and it sounds like a circuit is opening and closing real quickly. The car runs fine and it goes away after about 10-15 seconds. I seem to notice it when the car is really cold. Any thoughts as to what this could be?

Pat

 

You gotta stop smoking that stuff...

 

Actually, maybe he ought to start smoking that stuff. That way he wouldn't notice the noise and even if he did notice, he wouldn't care.

 

No not smoking anything!

Pat

 

Aside from the smoking issue you might also consider your recirc valve - mine went bad almost right away after the first few days I owned the car. The symptom was, in either position the car fogged up real bad. It would only defog after a while of having the ac on high w/ heat. Turns out the actuator was dead in the closed position. The other thing I just thought of, is, there was a chunk of insulation that lives right by the actuator and maybe it has started interfering.

 

Thanks Ben - next rainy day I'll check my defroster.

Pat

 

Hey I am having the same problem it sounds like a rat is running around inside there.
What should i do to fix the problem take it back to the dealer?

 

Apparently the only thing behind the glove box is the air filter. Perhaps we have something back there that vibrates every so often? I'm gonna mess with it over the weekend and see what's back there. I guess you could take it to the dealer but in my case its an intermittent problem so I'm sure I'd hear "could not duplicate problem" after my car had sat at the dealer for a day and that's a day it could get scratched, dinged etc. So I'll DIY it first.

Pat

 

I forgot to mention the recirc actuator is kinda inbetween the glovebox and the windshield. You can see some of the linkage if you pull the dash end cap cover on that side.

 

Ben - Is the actuator electronic or is it a mechanical devise? I'd say its a pretty good bet that that's where the noise is coming from.
Thanks for your help.

Pat

 

Don't honestly know- the car was so new I just let them take care of it. They did have to diagnose (two days) then order the part, then reschedule. I even had to wrangle with them a little over weather he could leave it wedged in the 'open' position. Come to think of it the tech used a piece of string to temporarily hold it open so my windows wouldn't fog - that kind of implies it was spring loaded, leading me to think it may be vacuum?

 

The HVAC fan is back there too. It's right next to the air filter.

 

This started to happen in my XF. It is very random. It lasts about 2-5 seconds. Has anyone figure out what causes this noise?

 

I haven't heard it in a while now?

Pat

 

I've started getting this noise today. It does sound like a circuit opening and closing. At first I thought
it was coming from the right door speaker. But eliminated that.
I think I'll take it to the dealer.

 

if it sounds like a mouse is running around in the right side of the dash it is a vacuum leak for the a/c and heater vents, take it to the dealer to get it fix.

put the A/C on full and then put it on the first setting and you will see the little red light flicker off and on like crazy when it starts making the noise.

 

Thanks for the follow up, I'll check it out in the am.

Pat

 

Just my 2 cents...I get a noise in the same area and when I put the fan on the noise goes away. My son says it sounds like a popcorn popper. Brought it back to the dealer but of course I am crazy and hearing things - you know the routine. I have to stay away from the service manager otherwise bad things might happen to him.

I was thinking the fan motor is under there and going bad. Like I said everytime it happens, I just turn on the fan one notch and it magically disappears. Now i am waiting for the noise to become more constant. Once that happens i will buy the part and fix it myself.

 

With the hamster sounds and all you guys might check the filter, it comes out very easily from under the glovebox, I pulled mine for the first time in about 25k and it was all full of garden debris-looking stuff, some had managed to foul the fan a little and made some ticking sounds. No permanent damage and I just blew out the filter with compressed air and we were good to go again.
ps Hey Squat, did you get your wing down? ...I'm having a hard time not making an off-color remark about you flying at full mast all the time - but I'm afraid I'll get spanked again.

 

Ben...I have not been to the car so I don't know complete status. Works been crazy this week. I will be there tomorrow and hopefully have an update. I have been searching forums and have some ideas. I will definitely call when it is all figured out!!! The shop where the car is at is excellent and they may have it under control already. And as for the off color remark, let's just say my car is letting the opposite sex know I am always ready for action...