Annoying ticking noise from behind dash in passenger side

[Alex mc]

Hi all, I have an annoying ticking noise coming from behind the dash on the passenger side . It initially started randomly last week after I reset bulb warning light ( a running light went ). Could be coincidence or totally unrelated .
The ticking starts at initial starting of the van if the fan switches left on . If I turn the air con on it starts and is worse if the air recirculating switch is pressed. If I press this off it goes off . What is really odd is when I select reverse it happens all over again or will randomly start .

Has anyone come across this issue .? is this a dash out job and if so how difficult is this to do.

My van is a MK4…

Any advice or assistance in resolving will be greatly appreciated.


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[NZDubNurd]

Sounds like the recirc motor (or possibly another flap motor) needs replacement or cleaning out.

If you have VCDS you can see if they moving correctly from end to end, but also reset the end stops.

Dunno about on an MK4, but on the Golf MK5 based climatronic systems, you can reset the end stops using the climatronic secret menus.

[Paul B.]

Mine was air recirculation flap motor the casing had split/opened up everso slightly and the clicking was the cogs jumping. Removed and glued was OK for a week then started again so replaced. Easy job but from what I've read on here later models have a plastic structure that's in the way once you've removed glove box but wasn't there on my 2015 plate. Disconnect battery before removing wiring clips or you'll have airbag warning light afterwards. Bought mid range code reader so could cancel/reset

[Alex mc]

@NZDubNurd thank you for taking the time to respond I’ll have someone check it over for me with VCDS . I’ve only got the carista dongle good for resetting service or bulb warning lights.


@Paul B. I have the plastic structure in the way as I had taken the glove box out today as it is really doing my head in now I’m going to get myself flexible inspection cameras to have a look around in there . The strange thing was before it I had an airbag light up as well had a bottle of juice roll under the seat ( I have golf MK7 seats fitted and not sure if it’s knocked the wiring or cause a fault to flag up. Now that I think about it and based on what you have mentioned above it’s possible these are related. Was the servo motor expensive?

Once resolve I’ll let you know how I got on.


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[Paul B.]

I'm no expert but it's possible I guess as they'll be seatbelt wiring under there and bottle could have dislodge something...

The servo i needed was about £20 on amazon but loads of places sell them, might be different on yours though as I think the newer models have the additional plastic structure that's in the way once glovebox removed.

Think someone on here did cut a section out to access air recirculation flap although could easily be one of the servos that control vent selection, is the ticking all the time? Mine was only when put in reverse as the air recirculation closes to stop exhaust fumes being sucked in.

This is the part I needed https://imgbox.com/ecaehuWZ

[gibbedyCaddy]

Hi Alex. You have probably sorted by now but, the ticking,, the weird reverse ticking again.

It's the recirulation flap motor.
The last post here has a picture of it.
I cut out a big hole to get at it. Let me know if you're still searching and I'll post some pictures to show you where.

Surprisingly Amazon had one for $22 AUD prime next day shipping so perhaps these fail often.

The motor control board has a pcb with tracks for a pot and closed loop positioning but they appear to have saved a dollar and don't use it. The motors just drive and stall under hight torque for time based open/close operation, hense why mine had snapped a plastic locator thingy which allowed the gears to jump and click rather than move.

aligning the gear was difficult but when i got it right i couldn't work out why i had trouble aligning it.
Anyhow hope it goes well.