Whirring noise when ignition on.

[Thisrouteisnotenough]

Hi guys,

When I turn the key in the ignition, there is a whirring sound that appears to be coming from the dashboard somewhere, doesn't stay on for long but it is annoying! Also, when the ignition is turned on, sometimes the A/C comes on auto mode, even though it was was not used on the last journey and turned off before ignition off.

Can anyone offer a solution/reason for these issues??

Thanks in advance,

Dave.

[DaiRees]

Hiya Dave,

Not sure about your whirring sound but the A/C in auto mode is a "feature" of the 406.

[mjb]

When I turn the key in the ignition, there is a whirring sound that appears to be coming from the dashboard somewhere, doesn't stay on for long but it is annoying!

Chances are it's the little fan on one of the temperature sensors for the climate control. It's actually above your head in the panel where the courtesy light and map reading lights live. You can try giving it a clean, and a drop of machine oil, but it's easier to just get a new panel off ebay as they're pretty cheap. To get at it, lever the courtesy light out from the switch side - (difficult without breaking it on the flat style light found on D8s and early D9s) then undo the two torx screws holding the panel in

The climate control defaults to auto mode after a reset (when the key's been out for 15 mins or so), and it's not behaviour you can change

[steve_earwig]

If there's a big difference between what the a/c is set to and the actual temperature the a/c just switches itself on - it's a feature

Apart from the sampler fan in the overhead console, what usually makes a whirring noise (or a clicking noise depending on how it's broke) is broken recirculating flap motor - remove the pollen (cabin) filter and check the flap opens and closes with the recirculation switch on the a/c control panel.

[Thisrouteisnotenough]

Thanks for the guidance!

I think I'll give the cleanup option a whirl as I don't want to spend any money on the car!

[Doggy]

As Steve says, it is likely to be the recirculating flap drive you're hearing, but it may not be faulty.
If your car has climate control, in hot weather it will automatically switch on the aircon and set the air to recirculate in an effort to drop the interior temperature quickly.

Are you guys off round europe again in the 406 this year?

[mjb]

As Steve says, it is likely to be the recirculating flap drive you're hearing

I dunno, I've experienced noisy temperature sensor fans on 3 or 4 406s... although I would describe the noise more as a buzzing/whirring...

[Thisrouteisnotenough]

As Steve says, it is likely to be the recirculating flap drive you're hearing, but it may not be faulty.
If your car has climate control, in hot weather it will automatically switch on the aircon and set the air to recirculate in an effort to drop the interior temperature quickly.

Are you guys off round europe again in the 406 this year?

We were in the middle of organising but unfortunately I've been presented with another 6 month holiday to Afghanistan in October.... Made the decision to keep the car and use it as a runaround until next year and we'll do it again!

[Doggy]

We were in the middle of organising but unfortunately I've been presented with another 6 month holiday to Afghanistan in October.... Made the decision to keep the car and use it as a runaround until next year and we'll do it again!

I'm sure we all wish you good luck and to come back safe & sound from your 'holiday'. We all want to cheer you on next time.

(For the newer members, we're talking about this); viewtopic.php?f=20&t=18609&p=184992#p184992

[Thisrouteisnotenough]

Thanks! I'm trying to get the small jobs that need doing to the car done before I go, passed it MOT first time of asking a couple of weeks ago... Just need to get rear anti roll bar changed and front track rod end and she'll definitely make next year's journey. Unsure if we're going to do the same H4H run, looking at perhaps creating Our own and encouraging teams to enter (everyone will be welcome Pug owners!) and raise money for charities of their choice, giving it more of a personal touch for everyone involved.

[dirtydirtydiesel]

If there's a big difference between what the a/c is set to and the actual temperature the a/c just switches itself on - it's a feature

Apart from the sampler fan in the overhead console, what usually makes a whirring noise (or a clicking noise depending on how it's broke) is broken recirculating flap motor - remove the pollen (cabin) filter and check the flap opens and closes with the recirculation switch on the a/c control panel.

Steve off the post but what's goin on with your avatar

[mjb]

Steve off the post but what's goin on with your avatar

It would appear to be the explosive charges of a bridge being demolished... forwards then reversed

[steve_earwig]

Exactement. It looked better at 4:3 but I reckoned it'd be too small on here so I changed the aspect ratio. It only took a couple of minutes and I was bored with the taunting French ker-niggit