FTO AUSTRALIA

At random times, I've found that the air con/fan unit on the passenger side of the car will make a loud clicking noise for about 30 sec to a minute. It will then stop for ages and not usually return until I drive it again.
There's the odd trip where it will click, go away and click again, but the issue won't repeat itself more than twice in a trip.

Any ideas?

On first thought I'd think you has something lodged in the piping.

Try blasting the fan on high and giving it a thrash (on off on off).

Might blow whatever could be stuck out.

Yeah, I initially thought that. However, I don't believe that's the cause. The clicking sounds almost like a relay clicking loudly or something jamming.

There is a leaf or a piece of paper stuck in the motor or mechanism that switches between fresh air and recirculated air for the air conditioning. Try switching between fresh/recirculated air for a few times to try and dislodge it.

No, it's too much of a solid clicking for it to be a leaf...

are u sure its not just the compressor clutching in and out?

Positive!

Supplanter wrote:There is a leaf or a piece of paper stuck in the motor or mechanism that switches between fresh air and recirculated air for the air conditioning. Try switching between fresh/recirculated air for a few times to try and dislodge it.

It could also be that one of the plastic gears in this mechanism has lost a tooth.

Is that easy enough to replace or is it going to be a "dash out" job?

I have the same problem and have had it since i have had my car. The problem lies with the motor which controls the outside/inside air flow. when set to inside air the motor will try to close the vent and get stuck for about 30 seconds. it happens every time i switch the air flow to inside.

I went to a air con specialist and asked how much it would cost to fix and they said the whole dash would need to come out and estimated about $300 to fix.

I decided id rather live with the problem then fork out that much to fix a problem which isnt that bad.

Oh man, that's crap.

I'm half hoping that mine is different and doesn't quite need that much effort.

Otherwise, if my heater core is on its way out like some people have mentioned in another thread, I may just have to do them both together...

Crap mines doing this now!!!

I had that problem too. its the plastic gear thingy with a lost tooth like what supplanter said. try asking just the motor from dstocks. part number is MB813039. or you can open it up and re-adjust the gear thingy so that it doesnt touch the missing tooth area( if the damage ain't that bad). I did mine with a help from my friend and it works

what did you have to do to get to it?

remove the underdash box, look for the motor(black) unclip the small clips on the metal stick thing, unscrew 3 screws. thats all.

when you open up the motor try to have a thin metal bits(metal nail file works well) and put it in between the gap of the top and bottom shell to ease the process.

hope this helps

Akys wrote:I had that problem too. its the plastic gear thingy with a lost tooth like what supplanter said. try asking just the motor from dstocks. part number is MB813039. or you can open it up and re-adjust the gear thingy so that it doesnt touch the missing tooth area( if the damage ain't that bad). I did mine with a help from my friend and it works

+1 I had the issue and readjusted the "gear thingy" .... worked a treat.
I think from memory I found a post on some lancer/fto forum somewhere that had pics as well.

haha this must be a common fault LOL kates is doing too

yes i had the same problem. Lived with it for nearly over half a year and finally decided that its enough!
And yes, its the problem with a plastic gear which lost a tooth, similar to those gears which you find in those tamiya cars. Just rotate the loose tooth to to the back where it is not used.

Thought i put up some pics while back.

Do i have to pull the dash out?

no, but you have to tuck your body into the driver side and the little black box is near the centre of the console.
activate the ticking sound and use your hand and trace the viibration.