What moves under the dash with AC on? (besides the fan)

[zanzarista]

I have been chasing an intermitant noise from the dash that appears to only occur with the A/C on. The noise is almost impossible to describe accuratly and I wish I could capture it with a recorder. Shortly after the car is started (within 10 - 15 minutes) there is a squeak like plastic on plastic, much like what a plastic door would make if it made contact with a housing half way through the arc of travel. It's not always possible to reproduce the noise when I want to. So the Stealer hasn't heard it yet and probably won't look under the dash (read: disassemble) to look for a phantom noise
I have searched through the Forums here a couple of times but no one else reports an intermittant squeak from the Dash only when the A/C is on.
Are there any doors or linkages that move under the dash to regulate the temp when the A/C is on?
The fan seems quiet. It moves air just fine to the front without makeing the noise. When I manually turn the A/C off, the noise doesn't re-occur. I replaced the cabin filter 2 days ago but that didn't help. It sound like the scraping of a tempurature damper or baffle, but I really don't know what is going oninside the dash to manitain the temp.

I'm at my wits end and warranty Expires on the 2nd of August.
Your suggestions for a fix or descriptions of how the system works will be appreciated.
I posted this previously in the "New Members" forum but I think this forum gets read more often.
Thanks for the help

[Rapid Rob]

Yes, there are doors in there doing all kinds of things.
If I'm reading your post correctly, this is an intermittent problem? If so it my be hard to find if someone doesn't have specific knowledge of this. I don't for this model.
Does it have climate control? (Oh, yes. I see it's an EX) You said it happens within 10/15 min. after starting. Is this without touching the controls? What setting is it on when it happens? Will it do this no matter where the settings are?
All I have to offer @ this time is to experiment with the settings. Turn the fan down low and listen while you start pushing buttons. Give each change a few seconds to react. Don't forget to cycle the rec/fresh button. I have seen some rec/fresh motors make noise-ON OTHER MODELS...

[cwa107]

I believe as long as you register the complaint, regardless of whether the dealer can replicate the problem or not, they are still liable to repair it as a warranty defect if it was discovered during the warranty period.

[zanzarista]

Originally posted by Rapid Rob
Is this without touching the controls? What setting is it on when it happens? Will it do this no matter where the settings are?

So I have done some experimenting, how ever I am suffering from CRST. (can't remember some things as opposed to CRS can't remember sh*!)

The noise occurs whether it is in Full Auto or just auto. I haven't been able to associate it with a position of the rear climate controller nor specific mode changes on the front controller. If I turn the A/C off completely and just use the mode and fan controls, I haven't heard the noise.

It happens when the temperature outside is cooler than inside or hotter than inside. I have an appointment wwith a stealer tomorrow morning and plan on visiting them today at lunch to go over the things that need attention ( psnger side door handle delaminating, reaer door seal coming off, low air volume to rear seat air vents)
Thanks for your suggestions and I will need to do some additional experimenting on the way to the stealer.

I'll check with the stealer to see if they will fix this issue passed the Warranty date as long as I make a note with them about it.
Thanks for the tip.
Zanzarista

[zanzarista]

Thanks again for the notes!

I took the pilot to a different stealer in town and came away VERY HAPPY.
I finally got the A/C system to make the squeak noise while the service manager was in the vehicle. He told me it sounded like a cat...
They found debris in the air intake (pre cabin filter??) and voila, the noise is gone! Must have been something vibrating with the air passing through. Still strange that it would only do it when the a/c was on. And the best part
"NO Charge"
Lesson learned, strange noises in the a/c, check the intake for debris.