Clicking sound behind glove box

New to the forum, hoping to find an answer for a problem I've had for awhile.

I have a 2006 Tacoma SR5 Crew Cab 4x4. For the last several months, a clicking sound occurs whenever I push the "recirculate" button for the A/C. The sound comes from behind the glove box and it doesn't go away until you turn off the recirculation button.

A buddy and I took out the glove box and looked around. We determined that the clicking sound was the small motor that powers the arm that opens and closes the recirculation flap. We took the motor out and opened it up. The main plastic wheel inside the motor was chipped.

I went to the dealer and priced out the part. $115 just for a little servo motor. I put everything back in but left the motor unplugged. I knew I wouldn't need to recirculate air or heat in the winter because it is quite mild this time of year in Mississippi. However, warm weather is just a couple months away, so I need to try to get this thing fixed.

Has anyone else had this problem or heard of someone else having the problem? I have no issue with paying the $115 and fixing it. That's a lot better than the $400 I would spend letting the dealer fix it. I just don't want to spend the $115 and the new motor strips too because something (electrical, pressure switch, etc.) is causing it to become stripped.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

blower motor. half of us have it. you can take the motor out and tighten it and things will be fine for a couple months or so, but it'll just start back up again

 

It's definitely not the blower motor. It's a servo motor that controls the arm that opens and closes the recirculation flap.

 

sounds like the recirc motor,or something is binding the door or linkage

 

I am having the same clicking sound coming from behind my glove box in my 07 Tacoma. Have taken glove box out and see the same problem...the motor that powers the plastic arm that opens and closes the recirc flap is continuously running and clicking.

Were you ever able to fix this problem? If so how?! It's almost summertime in Phoenix and I've got to get this fixed!

 

i got it too...just suck it up and spend that money on something else

 

I've played with this problem for the last few months and I'm 99.9% certain that the clicking sound is that servo motor that controls the white plastic arm that opens and closes the recirc flap. I've taken the motor out and opened it up. A large chunk of the plastic teeth inside the motor has broken free. I don't know what causes this, but I have a theory.

If you read your manual, it clearly states that you should only use the recirculation button when first cooling or heating the vehicle. Once the vehicle is heated or cooled, the manual says you need to turn off the recirculation button. I've never done this, and almost always have the recirc switched on. I assume that motor just got overworked from 5 years of using the recirc button.

I'm going to place an order for the servo motor today. I'll check back tonight and let you know what part # it is. The parts diagram is at home and I'm at work right now. I'm hoping to have this solved by the first of May, as it is getting warm in Mississippi. If it doesn't work, I'll just live with the clicking sound until the car cools down most of the way, and then turn of the recirc.

 

I have had this problem. I'll try to explain how I did fix it.

First, you have to take out the 2 small screws that holds the motor.

Then, whit the motor loose, gently pull out the plug, now it's free.

Take the motor inside home and look at it, you will notice that the motor has 2 parts. Top, thin part, and lower thick part. You will probably notice (if same problem than me) that the top, thin part is kinda ''loose'' and can be moved slightly up/down using force. That was the culprit for me. The gear inside would put pressure on the top part, lifting it, and click-out of it's gear, repeating this cycle constantly making the ''clicking sound''

Now, get a scotchbrite, use force and make a surface preparation under where the top part mate with the lower part. Make it best you can without breaking the motor. After that, wash, and use crazy glue (I used cyanoacrylate here), and hold firmly untill cured. Carefull of not pulling the top part too much, it would break the motor or you would get glue inside the gears.

Test the motor with force, if the top part does not move and fixed well, re-install and hope that your gear are not worn out.

That is how I fixed mine.

Hope that helps!

 

Count the number of teeth on the gear, measure and search for a replacement gear. Or, rig a cable drive from a choke cable. Maybe you can find an aftermarket motor assy.
Good luck. Let us know how it goes!

 

Problem fixed. I ordered and replaced the servo motor that controls the recirc flap. The recirculation button works again and there is no clicking. I went through a dealer for the part and had a buddy install it. The part was $131. I'll check the part number tonight when I get home.

 

Howdy all,

I found the cheap and proper fix for this. I also had this problem with the recirc actuator servo thingie. I pulled the part, pried it apart to look at fixing it as previous post mentioned, but realized that since I am not a watch maker and have no patience, there was no way I was going to glue on the little spline that was missing on one of the gears and causing the binding.

I couldn't find a cheap replacement part with the exact number on the Toyota one (52494371). So...I cross referenced the part number and found that it has several other applications and part numbers through acdelco. Apparently its used on some GM cars as well.

Anyhow, in a nutshell, if you order part number 52411441 it is an EXACT match in every way, and is available for ~20$ on several websites. I replaced it and am good to go. SHAME on toyota for overcharging for this part so miserably.

 

^ I think Delphi supplies the entire HVAC system under the dash. Both the blower motor and cabin filter are made by Delphi, which was owned by GM.

 

funny, i noticed my clicking the other day....when i had no music playing.

 

I have a cheap and dirty fix for this problem. First of all, unless you're a smoker or maybe lactose intolerant, why would you not always have the recirc on? Need a little fresh air just open a window. Remove the glove compartment and open the door to pull out the cabin filter. (Didn't know I even had one--full of bugs and crud) Next select the recirc option and watch the damper close. This is when the clicking starts. Then disconnect the plug lead to the motor. No power--no clicking. Now you'll always be in recirc mode. I have an '06 Tacoma. Might be a little different on your vehicle.?????

 

Great fix! Thanks for the post.

 

I have the same problem. I'm going to try this fix.

 

This won't work for those who live in moist climates. The windows would always be fogged.

 

yep, even in places that are not moist, but get cold. Leave recirc on and windows will fog up.

 

I work for NAPA and just had this problem occur. With a little research, I have found that NAPA part #
NOE 655-2283 (Dorman) is the same as the Toyota part, which is made by Delphi and is 1/2 the price.
Hope this will help someone else to save a few bucks.

 

I did a search at toyota.com and nothing show up for part# 5241144 or 52494371