Clicking in rear compartment

[JeffBoston]

I have a 2003 Explorer XLS.

In the rear compartment (interior, where you would put luggage, etc.) there is a clicking sound coming from behind a plastic (seemingly removable) panel on the driver's side. It is not always there, but when it is it is constant and doesn't vary with the speed of the truck.

Does anyone know what it is, and what's the best way to get the panel off?

The panel is maybe 14" x 12".

Thanks for anyone's help.
Jeff

 

[JeffBoston]

the panel is more like 8" x 6" and is behind the 3rd row seats
Jeff

 

[jrford]

sounds like you have rear air? Then if so, you have a rear blend door problem. There are 2 actuators, things with gears and one of them is stripped. The little panel looks to be removable, but it doesn't get you anything, the whole piece around it has to come off to service it. The actuators are behind it, it is bolted up from the bottom where the pipes meet the body, and two bolts/screws holding it in.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=259027
good link to a thread with pics.

 

[EasyRhino]

If you have the rear A/C and the noise is coming from the plastic panel behind the seond row seats on the driver's side, it is most definitely the rear AC blend door actuator.

You may be able to vary the clicking (drove me nuts, too) by varying rear A/C the control/settings - if only temporarily, but it will help you to confirm the problem.

The fix is really pretty simple really and not expensive. I think the part was about 50 bux at the dealership and the total labor was about 1-2 hours (for me).

 

[JeffBoston]

thanks fellas.
jeff