noise under glovebox... Aircon?

[patomlin76]

Hi

Can anyone help with my question? I have a faint knocking sound coming from underneath the glovebox. It's most noticeable when stationery, and is completely random. However it only occurs when the fans are switched on (either air-con or economy). Switch off the ventilation system altogether and it goes away.

Is there something connected to the heater/ventilation system under the glovebox? It's under warranty so I can get it looked at - the noise is usually hidden by road noise at speed, but at low speeds or stationery it is really annoying and is certainly not a trim rattle.

thanks!

paul

[johnloaderuk]

If it's under warranty then take it back to the dealer and get them to sort it out. Only problem is if it happens at random intervals sods law says it won't do it when you're at the dealer trying to show them the issue. Good luck.

[the surfer]

I've noticed a knocking coming from the glovebox region too :confused:

It sounds as if it's the handbook clonking about. It happens if I make a sharp turn. I haven't noticed whether this occurs with air con on or off though.

[patomlin76]

thanks for the posts - i'm at the dealers tomorrow to pick up some continental driving stuff, and I'll book it in then. I'm sure it can be sorted under warranty - when I say random, i mean it isn't rythmical ticking, but it is constant and always there. No chance of them not hearing it at the dealership I mean...

Time to book an appointment...

[Cylon2007]

the fan for the heater/aircon is behind the glovebox. I had a ticking noise from mine as if something was stuck and catching on the fan blades. I never managed to find out how the get the glovebox out, fortunately it doesn't do it anymore :D have to assume whatever it was has fallen out or the end was chopped off.

[nojam]

paul, what was the cause of the ticking noise? I ve got similar, speed related, stops when going over 20mph. Much appreciated!

[patomlin76]

took it to an independent VW garage where I had a service and cambelt change. They said it was the automatic flaps which control where the air goes, that is quite common to start ticking. Apparently they are on little servo motors and these can start failing causing a knocking sound. Sometimes turning the airflow to internal flow only can silence the knocking.

However it's a complete ball-ache to get to, and expensive, so VW will not replace until it has either broken completely, or is making such a continuous loud noise that it is very likely to fail soon.

So I have to put up with it, which isn't so bad - it's most audible when stopping at traffic lights with no radio on.

It was, however, a joke when the VW garage said that the ticking sound 'was normal'.....!! do they really know what they're talking about??? The problem for me is that if it does fail, it is likely to do so out of my extended years warranty, leaving me to foot the bill.

[taylora]

My dealer offered to sort it under warranty but I declined as they said they need 2 or 3 days to do it and it's complete dash strip down. What's the chances of them putting it all back together properly? Car goes back to the leasing company soon, I feel sorry for the next owner who will need to fix it if one of the motors eventually gives up. They're also facing a big bill as the mechatronic unit in the DSG and the flywheel are on their last legs. Thanksfully most things in life are more reliable than my Volkswagen.

[patomlin76]

well i didn't know they had to strip the dash down to get to it - in that case i'll live with the ticking and a really solid dash, rather than having a creaky dash (they're never the same once removed).

In defence of the car, all in all it's been very reliable. It's a pity some components like these are used which are really prone to wear. And I believe it's the same unit used in the A4 too, so we're not the only ones.

[Scott23]

Avoid having the dash removed like the plague. I bought a brand new 2.0tdi estate and when it was delivered the parking brake light didn't come on in the console (in the speedo bit). I asked them to fix it thinking it would be a simple fuse but next thing I was called to say it had been fixed by having the entire dash out and fixed back in again. There were no creaks before and now they happen which is a shame. I was gutted. I would never ever have the dash out on a new car again.

[ctunstall]

Got exactly the same thing with my 2005 Audi A3 2.0TDi, a faint knocking from somewhere behind the centre console. Knew it was to do with the air-con/ventilation system as it stops when its turned off, definitely don't want the dash removed to fix it, i'll be turning up the radio so i don't hear it it think

[patomlin76]

yep, learned to live with it now, so it doesn't bother me...