2010 Accord -- Weird sound from dash

[Phishin]

Yesterday I thought I heard some strange sound come from my new-to-me car.

I've heard the sound braking, accelerating, and turning now. Sounds like it's coming from the center dash area....where some vents are and the radio.

It's not loud. But the best I can describe is.....it sounds like when you are trying to suck the last bit of drink out of a glass with a straw.

The sound lasts about 2 seconds. The AC has been running ever since I owned the car, in case that matters. I can't make the sound happen, but driving around town or in a parking lot is all I need.

Any ideas?

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Maybe theres a screw or something rolling around in a cubby somewhere.

If it still has warranty, take it to the dealer. Even if they can't reproduce it, you'll have a record of the complaint for the future.

 

[antiqueshell]

Actually it makes me think of the heater core...if there was an air pocket in it, it might might that sound and it is located right where you mention the sound coming from.

I would check the coolant level and see it if is low.

Might be air in the system as well. Ask the dealer if they did a coolant change before you bought the car.

 

[Phishin]

Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Actually it makes me think of the heater core...if there was an air pocket in it, it might might that sound and it is located right where you mention the sound coming from.

I would check the coolant level and see it if is low.

Might be air in the system as well. Ask the dealer if they did a coolant change before you bought the car.


Yeah, that's what first popped in my head too. I drove around last night for 15 minutes, and couldn't get it to do it again. Which is good. Coolant level was fine of course. It was nice and blue too. I'll ask the dealer if they did a flush/fill on the radiator.

I'll run the heater full blast today, just to get everything moving, with the overflow tank screw loosened and see if I can burp it.

 

[Vikas]

was it faint clicking? there are blend motors under the dash which have a tendency to do that

 

[Schmoe]

Could be low on freon....the expansion valve will make that kind of noise briefly until it's pressurized correctly.

 

[Schmoe]

Try this....turn ignition on, don't crank. Play around with the HVAC controls....specifically the open air/recirculation button. There are motor actuated doors that will make some noise when those vent doors are being opened and closed. Then crank it up, AC off. Turn AC on and see if you can replicate that particular sound. If not, then it's something else.

 

[Phishin]

Originally Posted By: Schmoe
Try this....turn ignition on, don't crank. Play around with the HVAC controls....specifically the open air/recirculation button. There are motor actuated doors that will make some noise when those vent doors are being opened and closed. Then crank it up, AC off. Turn AC on and see if you can replicate that particular sound. If not, then it's something else.


Nothing, but thanks Schmoe. I couldn't replicate the sounds. Beginning to think a loose screw was tapping blades perhaps.

I can't get it to do it now...of course.

 

[Schmoe]

I'd then go with antiques... advice. Those heater core type systems are always recirculating. could just be a air pocket. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[Hokiefyd]

To add to what Schmoe said...did you change the A/C TEMPERATURE controls with the ignition off while listening to that sound? Both of our Hondas have had noisy temperature door actuator motors. I fixed the MDX's motor myself, but I haven't messed with the CR-V's motor yet. It's covered by Honda Care, but I've been too busy to take it in.

In the CR-V's case, it makes the noise when the actuator is moving the temperature door to a colder position. I normally leave the system at 68 AUTO, and you can hear the temperature door cycling every now and then. If I put the temperature on LO, the noise never happens, because the temperature door is at full cold all the time anyway, and doesn't try to move.

 

[Phishin]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
To add to what Schmoe said...did you change the A/C TEMPERATURE controls with the ignition off while listening to that sound? Both of our Hondas have had noisy temperature door actuator motors. I fixed the MDX's motor myself, but I haven't messed with the CR-V's motor yet. It's covered by Honda Care, but I've been too busy to take it in.

In the CR-V's case, it makes the noise when the actuator is moving the temperature door to a colder position. I normally leave the system at 68 AUTO, and you can hear the temperature door cycling every now and then. If I put the temperature on LO, the noise never happens, because the temperature door is at full cold all the time anyway, and doesn't try to move.


I don't have an digital temperature controller, just the old cold-->hot (blue-->red) dial on my base model Accord. And yes, I did have the AC on and moved the temperature dial all the way hot, and then all the way cold and I couldn't get it to make a noise.

On another Accord forum, someone told me to check the AC vent tube. It could be clogged (and it's possible since my engine by was real dirty (with mud) when I bought the car). My problem is, I can't find this vent tube. He said the condensation could back up and cause the "gurgling" sound I am hearing.

 

[Schmoe]

You know, that's a good idea to check that. When your car is parked and the AC was running, is it dropping water under the car? If so, drain hose is working, if not, I'd definently be checking that.

 

[Phishin]

Ok. Found it. And I feel like a real dumb-dumb!! The dealer had a cheap plastic tire gauge and dealer logo'ed ink pen in the glove box that was "rattling" and sliding around.

Did I really just admit this? Yep. No wonder it was only happening on turns, accelerating, and braking. Jeeezzzz. Ok, my pride and ego are not back in check.

 

[Vikas]

Don't you have the owners manual and bunch of receipts and registrations stuffed in the glove box? If so, how come it has any room to slide around?

Heck, if I open my glove box, it takes me ten minutes to close it again. Even my wife's purse is less packed

 

[Phishin]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Don't you have the owners manual and bunch of receipts and registrations stuffed in the glove box? If so, how come it has any room to slide around?

Heck, if I open my glove box, it takes me ten minutes to close it again. Even my wife's purse is less packed


Right now, only the owner's manual is in there (along with other booklets) but they are all contained in a nice binder. Still waiting for title to come in the mail (bought car with cash) and I still have the dealer plates on it. So, no, I don't yet have a bunch of stuff in my glove box...yet.

And the glove box is pretty big, so it does all the pen/tire pressure gauge to slide around inside the glove betwen between the owner's manual binder and the inside of the glove box.

At least, I'm 90% sure that's what I was hearing. We'll see if the noise comes back. I could be wrong.

 

[Schmoe]

Pardon my ignorance, but just how does loose pens and tire pressure guages equate to ".....it sounds like when you are trying to suck the last bit of drink out of a glass with a straw."????