Center console arm rest ticking/clicking noise?

[laybac]

I have searched and have not found what im looking for. any help would be great!!!

A few days ago my truck has developed a really strange noise. The noise is coming from the center console arm rest area. if i was to put my ear by it , it sounds like its coming from under the cd changer or very near it. If i put my hand on the side of the console i can feel it lightly as well. The noise is a slow ticking/clicking. it only does it after driving around for about 10-15 min, with the truck warm. If the truck sits over night there is no noise till 10-15 min has gone by with the truck running. This noise has me truly baffled! I cant figure it out. Any ideas??? thanks in advance.

 

[Spdrcer34]

Are you sure it's NOT the CD changer? Trying to find a CD in the magazine?


Ryan

 

[my98nnj]

Call the bomb squad

 

[laybac]

Are you sure it's NOT the CD changer? Trying to find a CD in the magazine?


Ryan

No there is no cd magazine in it.

 

[laybac]

call the bomb squad

ha!

 

[laybac]

UPDATE:

I found the problem. It is one of the heater doors/flaps that is under the center console arm rest. It seems to be either stuck or going back and fourth. the rear blower is also weak. I provided a short vid of the issue.

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i2/laybac/?action=view&current=MOV00001.flv

 

[05dink05]

I watched you vid. I saw it shows that you found it was the flap, but did you ever figure out how to fix the flap?

Thanks

UPDATE:
The ticking/clicking noise was really getting to me so I opened up the center console. Attached to the blower motor housing is a white box. The noise was coming from this box, part #F57H 19E616 CA (blender motor). To stop the noise you can just unplug the blend door motor and the noise will go away. Make sure the blend door is in the open position when you do or you won't get any air flow.

NOTE: The 97's had this blend door and blend door motor in the center console but a 99 that I had did not.

 

[97explorerer]

UPDATE:

I found the problem. It is one of the heater doors/flaps that is under the center console arm rest. It seems to be either stuck or going back and fourth. the rear blower is also weak. I provided a short vid of the issue.

Photo Storage

I am experiencing this issue recently on a ‘97 Explorer and unfortunately the link no longer works. Do you still have the steps? Or, any other place I could get started on opening up the center console and start a fix? Thanks.

UPDATE February 2024: I did it. I replaced the blend door motor in the center console with another one I picked up for about $30. It took 3 hours in total. 1 hour and 30 minutes to get one stubborn screw in the tightest of places.

I followed this aged guide on how to remove the center console.

1995-2001 Ford Explorer Center Console Removal / Install - The Ranger Station

Tools Required: 1/4″ ratchet Extensions (optional but very helpful) 8mm socket 10mm socket Magnetic pickup Wood block Hand sledge (or big hammer) Step 1 – Remove tissue box-coin holder. Step 2 – Remove the cubbyhole compartment by pulling up and … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

I then flipped it around and found the white box that was the blend door actuator. I followed this guide on how to get the white box out without removing the plastic.

How to: - Quick and Easy 2nd gen Blend Door Replacement Tutorial

Blend door replacement: Today's test subject is a 1997 Eddie Bauer Explorer. Hopefully yours will be somewhat similar. I’m going to assume that you’ve correctly assessed the problem, and that your blend door indeed needs replaced. You’ll come across all sorts of instructions on the internet...

www.explorerforum.com

It was very challenging to get that third screw off. I used an airbag pump to bulge the center console plastic to its near-breaking point so I could wedge my hand in there and painstakingly, millimeter by millimeter, unscrew the third gold 5/16" screw out with a hand wrench. None of my socket wrenches were thin enough to get back there.

All is well. Good luck to anyone out there with the same issue!