Intermittent Ticking Noise Center Console Passenger Side

007Tacoma

007Tacoma

New member
Truck: 2003 4Runner Sport Edition V6 w/ 4WD and XREAS

Background: I have heard this noise a couple of times and thought it sounds like a pump or a leaf stuck in the fan of the HVAC system. It happened once or twice right after I bought the vehicle (used at 118K) last year. As of this post we have almost 140K on it and today the noise reoccurred - this time with my wife in the car.

The Noise: The noise appears to be originating from the area where the center console meets the dash or just under that area on the passenger side. It sounds like a tick of a fuel pump or leaf stuck in a fan, but when you turn off the fan it does not change. It does not matter if you are at a dead stop (when you usually hear it), or cruising at 70 MPH down the interstate. Here is the worst part though - it is completely random, slowly changes frequency, goes away, comes back, and has no seeming relation to anything that I can manipulate from behind the steering wheel (gas pedal, steering, wipers, HVAC fan controls, pressing on panels, etc...).

So, today my wife heard it, and it made her nervous. So, I told her I would do some searching on here... I didn't find anything that seems even close to what I am talking about. I have become an expert at taking the dash apart. I have tried to find the noise. This is impossible when it can be months between when it shows up. I have also had everything apart a few months ago when I installed a new stereo. I have come up with no reason for the noise.

Any ideas?
 
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007Tacoma said:
The Noise: The noise appears to be originating from the area where the center console meets the dash or just under that area on the passenger side. It sounds like a tick of a fuel pump or leaf stuck in a fan, but when you turn off the fan it does not change. It does not matter if you are at a dead stop (when you usually hear it), or cruising at 70 MPH down the interstate. Here is the worst part though - it is completely random, slowly changes frequency, goes away, comes back, and has no seeming relation to anything that I can manipulate from behind the steering wheel (gas pedal, steering, wipers, HVAC fan controls, pressing on panels, etc...).
Click to expand...

I had a similar experience today. When cruising on the highway to work, I heard this clattering sound, as if a bundle of wires were loose clapping away. I let go of the gas pedal and it stopped. I press the gas pedal and it clapped around again.

When I drove home from work, the sound didn't appear again. I just replaced the HVAC system 2 days ago so if it appears again, I'll be taking it back to the shop again. It looks as if they took the center console out as my papers were kinda shuffled around.
 
kosan said:
I had a similar experience today. When cruising on the highway to work, I heard this clattering sound, as if a bundle of wires were loose clapping away. I let go of the gas pedal and it stopped. I press the gas pedal and it clapped around again.

When I drove home from work, the sound didn't appear again. I just replaced the HVAC system 2 days ago so if it appears again, I'll be taking it back to the shop again. It looks as if they took the center console out as my papers were kinda shuffled around.
Click to expand...

There is nothing that I can do to make this one go away except shut off the vehicle. most of the time it goes away within a minute or two.
 
007Tacoma said:
There is nothing that I can do to make this one go away except shut off the vehicle. most of the time it goes away within a minute or two.
Click to expand...

Since I last posted, I've had no issues - still monitoring. But yes, my sound appeared about 10 seconds and went away.
 
kosan said:
Since I last posted, I've had no issues - still monitoring. But yes, my sound appeared about 10 seconds and went away.
Click to expand...

Same here. The sound has not returned in several weeks. Now I know how the dealer techs feel... I am starting to question if I really heard it myself.
 
haha I have it too. I tracked it down and it's coming from the cabin air intake fan (correct term?). anyways here's a pic
a6937b93-fa0e-9d83.jpg

I honestly think its just some debris that is lodged somewhere, and every once in a while it gets moved to where the fan hits it for a few minutes. but then it goes away. so I'm not too worried about it, but I'll have a tech check it out next time I go in for service and see if they can't pull out the debris.
 
If it sounds like a pump it may also be a bad servo motor. There are three on that side and one on the driver side. I would try unplugging the bottom one on the passenger side, just remove that plastic cover under the glove box and you should see the plug. That one control the air mix for auto climate.




servo.png
~original[/IMG]
 
Last edited:
justwoody1 said:
If it sounds like a pump it may also be a bad servo motor. There are three on that side and one on the driver side. I would try unplugging the bottom one on the passenger side, just remove that plastic cover under the glove box and you should see the plug. That one control the air mix for auto climate.




servo.png~original
Click to expand...

The problem right now is that it isn't making the noise. :ybrick: So, now I wait...
 
I can't seem to get this problem to duplicate long enough to be able to trouble shoot it. So, I have learned to just live with it. Past 15,000 miles have seen it happen a handful of times. It is usually gone within a minute or two.

...sorry to dig up an old thread of mine, but I haven't been online over the past few months.
 
clicking noise

I have had my 2004 4Runner since it was new. I only have 90,900 miles on it and for a 11 year old vehicle that is low mileage. Last summer I heard the clicking noise in the passenger side dash for the first time. It is random, and does not last long enough for the service department to hear it. During the winter I did not hear it...however this spring it came back. Does not seem to cause any problems except annoying the crap out of me.
 
007Tacoma said:
Truck: 2003 4Runner Sport Edition V6 w/ 4WD and XREAS

Background: I have heard this noise a couple of times and thought it sounds like a pump or a leaf stuck in the fan of the HVAC system. It happened once or twice right after I bought the vehicle (used at 118K) last year. As of this post we have almost 140K on it and today the noise reoccurred - this time with my wife in the car.

The Noise: The noise appears to be originating from the area where the center console meets the dash or just under that area on the passenger side. It sounds like a tick of a fuel pump or leaf stuck in a fan, but when you turn off the fan it does not change. It does not matter if you are at a dead stop (when you usually hear it), or cruising at 70 MPH down the interstate. Here is the worst part though - it is completely random, slowly changes frequency, goes away, comes back, and has no seeming relation to anything that I can manipulate from behind the steering wheel (gas pedal, steering, wipers, HVAC fan controls, pressing on panels, etc...).

So, today my wife heard it, and it made her nervous. So, I told her I would do some searching on here... I didn't find anything that seems even close to what I am talking about. I have become an expert at taking the dash apart. I have tried to find the noise. This is impossible when it can be months between when it shows up. I have also had everything apart a few months ago when I installed a new stereo. I have come up with no reason for the noise.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...


007... I have this identical issue with my recently purchased '05. The sound is present even when the blower motor is turned off. Did you ever find an answer? TIA



:confused:
 
Last edited:
B777jet said:
007... I have this identical issue with my recently purchased '05. The sound is present even when the blower motor is turned off. Did you ever find an answer? TIA



:confused:
Click to expand...

:shrug: I never did find the cause, but I found one solution...

...I traded up to a 2015. :banana:
 
Can I join in with a resounding "me too?" Been hearing it ever since I bought my 2006 several years ago. It occurs about once every other month. Nothing changes it, not turning of the fan, changing speed, etc. Has anyone discovered the cause yet?
 
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