Woodpecker behind my glovebox

[concentrik]

Every time I start the car - from cold or hot - there comes a loud chatter from behind the glovebox. It always lasts exactly the same length of time, around 10 secs, then stops. No systems or functions seem to be affected and the car runs completely normally. Feeling around the area whilst a helper starts the car, I find it's coming from something attached to or close to the blower unit. What might it be and what could I do to remedy it? 406 HDi estate on a "y", full of tools and diy bits.

[steve_earwig]

Recirculation flap motor I'm afraid, it's a common problem, tiny plastic gears with too much torque and they run every time you turn on. They either strip teeth or the shaft breaks. They're not cheap but you could get lucky. Alternatives are: finding a really good machine shop to make the gear out of brass -or- remove the POS, open the flap by hand (remove cabin/pollen filter to get to it) and live with the smell of the outside world.

[steve_earwig]

Thinking about it, the glovebox is a pain in the bum to pull out, you can get to it to unplug it if you remove the sound deadening pad and reach up behind. You'll need a torch, a mirror and probably a lot of patience.

Must get going but I'll have a look for pictures when I get home (if nobody else does it first)

[steve_earwig]

This https://youtu.be/hDgZBsBfR3s is what you need.

I should point out that yours won't be an electrical fault, if it's clicking then it's goosed, most probably stripped gears. If you're only after unplugging it and leaving the flap open then you can do this without all the bother of removing the glovesbox now you know where the connector is but I wouldn't go this way if you plan on replacing the motor as you need to see what you're doing to line it up and fit it.

Btw I'm not sure where you are, if your car is left-hand drive like mine the idea is the same but the location of the flap motor is reversed, it's on the right hand side of the blower motor.

[frog]

Just wanted to add that there seems to be a guy in France who made a business of providing brass replacement gears

See here: http://www.aussiefrogs.com/forum/peugeo ... click.html . And following that, a good explanation how to open up the little motor in order to replace the gear(s): http://www.toujoursplus.info/montage_en ... on_en.html .

[steve_earwig]

Oh! Nice find sir! I'm amazed anyone bothered but it's nice to know somebody did.


I got to that stage with mine, especially after cutting my hands to ribbons pulling the glovebox out yet again...

[frog]

I got to that stage with mine, especially after cutting my hands to ribbons pulling the glovebox out yet again...

Ah the sledgehammer... definitely the best tool for the job

After removing and refitting it for the third time I am currently capable of doing it blind, "a-la Houdini", without removing the glovebox. I even developed a technique to align the teeth of the motor with the teeth of the flap while fitting it back into place.

[Welly]

And as if the French learn nothing from this our 2010 C4 suffered similar plastic failure of the quadrant which moves the air direction flap of the climate control. Ask me how I know

See also Peugeot 407 climate control

[frog]

And as if the French learn nothing from this...

It's not specifically the French cars: Land Rover, Range Rover and Saab are also mentioned as having this type of flap motor.

Common factor seems to be Valeo. But then again, (see WikiPedia) "Valeo is a multinational automotive supplier based in France".

[Welly]

Maybe it's a bit unfair to state "French Plastic" because as far as I see it ALL modern plastic is weak due to eco-friendly ingredients. It seams that it stays pliable and strong just long enough for the car to be assembled and then you're on your own....

Much like rubber parts which aren't really 'rubber' as it used to be