Ticking sound, not A/C compressor or engine valves etc

Tiny
PSYGHTSEER
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 MAZDA MILLENIA
  • 2.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
Seems to only happen when the car is hot. It is not cams or valves etc, it's not coming from the engine. The ticking is steady and always the same BPM, and it happens intermittently. If I hear the ticking and I rev the engine, that usually stops it but not always. My first though was it has some kind of debris in the intake or EGR system but i'm pretty much at a loss to the cause. All i know is it isn't an internal engine noise, nor does it have anything to do with the AC (happens with the ac off and on regardless of compressor function). after driving it and parking it and getting out it does it the most. it will click for about 5-10 seconds then stop for 15-20 seconds, and then click for 5-10 seconds again, over and over. the ticking is pretty fast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U6WfN1YJs8

This sounds about it. the speed of the tick never changes. that's about all i have. also, its not the radiator fan.
Wednesday, July 15th, 2020 AT 9:15 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

Does this sound like it is coming from the dashboard?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-blend-door-motor

It could be an actuator for the A/C system.

Roy
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Wednesday, July 15th, 2020 AT 9:55 AM
Tiny
PSYGHTSEER
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Roy, thank you for your reply. I can barely hear it from inside the car but it does sound like it's coming from closer to the fire wall under the hood, but I could be wrong. I should do a stethoscope test and touch the intake manifold because that's where it seems like it's coming from but I'm sure it won't hurt to check the alternator too. Is the A/C actuator in the engine bay?
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Wednesday, July 15th, 2020 AT 12:56 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
No, the actuator is inside the car in the dash.

Outside, it is hard to guess what or where the noise is coming from. The blend door actuator is up against the firewall but is inside the car.

Using the stethoscope is a good idea.

Roy

AIR MIX ACTUATOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the dashboard.

ImageOpen In New TabZoom/Print

3. Disconnect the air mix actuator connector.
4. Remove the three tapping screws and the air mix actuator.
5. Install in the reverse order of removal.
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Wednesday, July 15th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM

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