Ticking noise behind dash - sounds like a hard drive seeking

[beatle]

I noticed this slight noise behind the dash while driving home today. It's very faint and generally only audible while stopped. I turned the AC and music off completely and the noise persisted. It sort of sounds like an old mechanical hard drive seeking. I know that's not it, but it is the closest similar sound that comes to mind. I wonder if a fan is failing or if a cable is getting into the blades of a fan. My MCU was recently replaced a week and a half ago, so I'm wondering if that's it.

Is there a fan on anything ehind the dash or is everything passively cooled?

 

[Gixx1300R]

actuator door

 

[GlmnAlyAirCar]

Which actuator?

 

[beatle]

My google searches for "actuator door" didn't turn up much other than door handles. Are you referring to the door that blends warm and cool air? Would it make this noise even with the HVAC turned off?

 

[GlmnAlyAirCar]

I have something very similar. I made a video but unfortunately other background noise and my voice drown out the noise. It definitely comes from underneath the dash pad, and persists even when HVAC is off, just like with you.

 

[beatle]

Mine seemed to come from behind the main screen.

There is a bit of interference in the speakers that comes from the left side, but that's more of a periodic buzzing.

 

[Gixx1300R]

Which actuator?

The defrost actuator door. mine did the same . Tesla repaired it

 

[GlmnAlyAirCar]

The defrost actuator door. mine did the same . Tesla repaired it

Ok that makes sense. The odd thing is that I've had this problem for what seems like forever and I've never had a defroster problem.

 

[rooter]

Sorry, you're all off-base. The glue that holds down foam sealing in the HVAC system tends to attract tick-spiders, as it smells similar to their pheromones. They gather deep inside the dash at every joint of the HVAC system, mating and trying to get in.

But don't worry, Tesla's good about this; there are usually no cracks in the plenum where they could get in and blow in your face.

 

[GlmnAlyAirCar]

Sorry, you're all off-base. The glue that holds down foam sealing in the HVAC system tends to attract tick-spiders, as it smells similar to their pheromones. They gather deep inside the dash at every joint of the HVAC system, mating and trying to get in.

But don't worry, Tesla's good about this; there are usually no cracks in the plenum where they could get in and blow in your face.

Interesting but how does that explain the ticking?

 

[rooter]

Well most ppl think they're called 'tick spiders' because they look and bite like ticks. But it's actually because when they gather in large groups they get excited and make a ticking noise, like an old hard drive.

 

[Gixx1300R]

Interesting but how does that explain the ticking?

I am insure. the actuator assembly was only $22.00

 

[Gtech]

Clicking Noise Coming From Center Of Dash Sounds Like Fan But It Is A Motor This Cannot Be Normal?

Maybe something like this?

 

[GlmnAlyAirCar]

Clicking Noise Coming From Center Of Dash Sounds Like Fan But It Is A Motor This Cannot Be Normal?

Maybe something like this?

Yes that is exactly the noise that I have! Sounds like it was in fact the actuator.

 

[Lukez]

Ya had the same with mine, service fixed two of them:

ACTUATOR ASSY - DEFROST (6008245) 1 29.00 29.00
ACTUATOR ASSY - PASS TEMP (6008247) 1 29.00 29.00

 

[Keng223]

I just bought a 2013 and I've explained the noise it's making as "like a hard drive noise," because it was the best description I could come up with. Like a "clicking" or "ticking" sound... very faint but very audible. this is the only thread I've found who's addressed this particular noise. How did this resolve was it a relatively inexpensive fix?