Loud Clicking Noise

[david b]

W203 C-Class on starting up I get a loud ticking noise from the centre off the dash just above the radio? It stops after approx 30 secs? any help please
David B.

 

[DSM10000]

It will be one of the motors / flaps that direct the airflow in the climate control system that has broken or become detached. It is a common problem.

Depending which one it is then it is either an hour or so to fix or in some cases requires the dashboard removal

I believe a Star diagnostic can help to narrow it down.

 

[Dave Richardson]

Sorry to hear of the problem, without doubt it's the stepper motors or their actuating arms.

Do a search on stepper motors, and then look at your bank balance

 

[DSM10000]

Sorry to hear of the problem, without doubt it's the stepper motors or their actuating arms.

Do a search on stepper motors, and then look at your bank balance

Quite!

Worse case scenario according to my Indie is 15 hours labour plus parts!

 

[david b]

been quoted by indi £1500 plus vat plus parts?
Do most people have it fixed or just live with it?
Is it doing any harm?
Any diagrams or photos of position?
David b.

 

[DSM10000]

been quoted by indi £1500 plus vat plus parts?
Do most people have it fixed or just live with it?
Is it doing any harm?
Any diagrams or photos of position?
David b.

Was that quote following an inspection /diagnostic? What is the labour rate to come up with a price of £1500?

I am assuming that the fault on mine is in the foot well because when cornering I get cold air to the drivers side foot well.

It will not do any harm ,just be irritating, for that price you may as well change the car!

 

[Stratman]

Get it on a STAR and run a full diagnostic check on the system. This will tell you which motor isn't doing its job.

If the indi didn't do this he may well be quoting for the worst case scenario.

 

[david b]

its the motor behind the radio. no air to footwells. what should it cost to fix and how difficult?
Many Thanks david b.

 

[DSM10000]

its the motor behind the radio. no air to footwells. what should it cost to fix and how difficult?
Many Thanks david b.

If you now know which motor is faulty surely the indie that originally quoted can give you a revised quote?

 

[Auto-mobile]

been quoted by indi £1500 plus vat plus parts?
Do most people have it fixed or just live with it?
Is it doing any harm?
Any diagrams or photos of position?
David b.

That's a crazy quote, and plus vat to! Far far to much.

 

[Dave Richardson]

Other experienced members on the forum have pretty much said that it's a time consuming & unpleasant job to carry out (pain in b.m) I reckon that your indie has over quoted you just so that you go elsewhere.

Is there another indie near you ?

 

[dhk284]

If your indie quotes you that much just go to a good body shop and tell them whats wrong I don't think for that job you need to go to a merc shop.

 

[DSM10000]

If your indie quotes you that much just go to a good body shop and tell them whats wrong I don't think for that job you need to go to a merc shop.

Not sure why you recommend a body shop? The problem is electromechanical not a body work problem.

Going to an MB specialist with Star should pinpoint the motor
/ flap that is causing the problem and this should help to minimise the work involved in fixing it.

 

[markjay]

Not sure why you recommend a body shop? The problem is electromechanical not a body work problem.

Going to an MB specialist with Star should pinpoint the motor
/ flap that is causing the problem and this should help to minimise the work involved in fixing it.

I think dhk284 was suggesting is that a serious boddy shop will be qell versed in trim removal and stripping of the dashboard...

 

[DSM10000]

I think dhk284 was suggesting is that a serious boddy shop will be qell versed in trim removal and stripping of the dashboard...

How often do dashboards need removing and re-fitting?

I would rather entrust this to someone with specific knowledge of the marque and the problem.

 

[nigel cross]

Leave it alone and live with it my old W203 did it for over 10 years and had no side effects. (apart from giving me a twitch )

 

[david b]

Going to leave it and live with it!