SW17LS

Hey all-

My old 03 ES is still in the family at 185k miles, just had a big overhaul done, valve cover gasket, new plugs, new thermostat to clear a CEL, all new front brakes, all new fluids and such, new drive belt, timing belt, water pump, so on and so forth. Car still runs great and drives great, feels like something with 60k miles on it.

Anyways, driving it today after getting it back, there is a strange tapping noise going on behind the instrument cluster. It's an irregular tapping, doesn't seem to make a difference if it's moving or not, engine speed doesn't matter, HVAC on or off doesn't matter. Can't hear it outside the car or under the hood. But it's quite noticeable inside. I drove it for about 10 miles today to check it out after the overhaul, on the way to my destination there was no sound, but it was there on the way back.

Any thoughts?

hypervish

Probably one of the servos for the HVAC. See if the clicking subsides or changes as you either, change the temperature for the HVAC, change the flow direction, or change between re circulation and fresh air (although this flap is behind the glovebox). I know you mentioned HVAC on or off didn't matter but that's because it was likely still trying to adjust to the last setting before it was shut off.

SW17LS

I do believe you are correct. I went over and drove it again, when I cycled through the HVAC settings the tapping went away and stayed away. We'll monitor it...