So my 2003, S Type 3.0, VIN M59505, is having the same symptoms as described in JTB00066. That is, a gurgling, ticking, or horses galloping in the distance sound coming from within the dash. The difference is that this sound occurs when the climate control is turned off.

It is not fluid bubbling, as the sound immediately responds to the pressing of the power button. Even in rapid succession, there is no delay.

JTB00066 states: "The noise may be the result of one or more of the climate control blend door actuators giving incorrect position feedback to the climate control module, causing the blend doors to continually search for their correct position and causing the noise."

Seems logical, but why would this happen when the climate control is powered off?

Could this be some sort of floating ground problem?

The temporary workaround is to turn the climate control on to just fan, but set the fan to the lowest setting.

Since my VIN is outside of the range (VIN: N53000 - N91220), I believe it would be like pulling teeth to get Jaguar to fix this, even if I had a warranty for the car. If this is a recall, they probably would not do it either.

But here is something very interesting.

Seeing as the solution provided in JTB00066 is to replace 4 actuator assemblies, each comprised of a motor, feedback sensor, gears, linkages and so on, you would think they are pricy parts.

Well, here they are at Direct JPLV Porsche Parts.com

XR8 57885 $16.25
XR8 57886 $16.25
XR8 57887 $17.50
XR8 57888 $16.25

Color me incredulous.

So, do I interpret these rather inexpensive prices to imply that this is some sort of "unofficial recall" or "good will" type repair for the dealerships?

And considering my VIN, could my situation be some sort of weird software state (power off, but not really off) that a climate control update might fix? After the steering calibration fiasco, I am none too anxious to experiment to find out.

Any ideas?

 

Dear Incredulous,

There have been supersessions galore on the climate control parts, cases etc. on this car. Best I can tell, those motors should work on your car. That has been more for supplier issues than for failures, problems etc.

As far as the noise and being shut off/keyed off, that is because when tuned off the climate system motors go to rest positions and close to outside air etc. The feedback problems stated cause the motors to hunt for the correct positions and produces the noise. Basically they never think they reach the rest position, and keep trying.

For that price, I'd go through the contortions and put them in. Sure sounds better once it's done.

Good luck!

 

This has not been reported much if at all.

Can you post back about how you replaced them? I would be interested to see. I have heard similiar noises but only to a very minor degree in my 2005 STR.
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Thanks guys. I will need to order the parts, install them and see what happens. I think the soonest I could give a report back would be a couple of weeks from now.

Hmm, I am thinking, that whenever I do a DTC clear with the Mongooser, I hear the climate control doors moving, and it sounds like they are binding. I am wondering if that might have something to do with this problem as well. Replacing the motors might stop the binding noise, or at least let me determine which is binding that I could further investigate it.

Yes, I know I could just exercise the motor using IDS, but I am a little lazy. I am also 2500 miles from the car at this moment.

I guess those 4 motors are part of my Christmas shopping.

 

Thanks for the prior legwork, heima. Certainly sounds like the VIN range does not reflect the true extent of the problem.

Here's the info I have got so far from heina and JTB00066:

VIN range: N53000 - N91220 (years 2006 - 2008)

PARTS (Direct JPLV Porsche Parts.com)
XR8 57885... Defrost vent/register blend door actuator... $16.25
XR8 57886... Footwell vent/duct blend door actuator....... $16.25
XR8 57887... Instrument panel blend door actuator......... $17.50
XR8 57888... Recircultion blend door actuator................. $16.25

LABOUR....... 0.8 hours.

Looking forward to hearing how you got on with this job.

 

heima,
Any update from your side?

 

Well, I ordered the parts and they have been sitting in the trunk, but I think just doing that has frightened the little demons away. I haven't heard the noise since. (knocking on wood)

Part of the challenge is setting aside the time and mustering the will to dive into this project when I have others that need to be finished. (can you say, "procrastination"?)

As for replacing all 4 motor assemblies in less than an hour's time, I think that is being a little optimistic. These are the same folks who claim you can replace the serpentine belt in 6 minutes. Maybe if you have done the task so many times you could accomplish it blindfolded.

Maybe when the weather changes, and I start to use the air conditioning, the demons will come back from the southern latitudes and annoy me enough to get off my duff and put in the new parts.

Till then, I remain a happy Jaaag driver. (now I have cursed myself )

 

Updating this thread with a little info....

My indie used to suggest that the gurgling noise coming from the direction of the instrument panel sounded like a coolant circulation problem. Only thing was, coolant reservoir was full and system was bled and no air bubbles.

Then I saw a post on this forum (thanks JagV8) that said Jag diagnostics could determine which climate blending doors had problems. Jag dealers and maybe some indies had the software.

So, checked with my indie and sure enough, they had the software! Ran it and found 2 doors with 100% failure, the rest with 50% failure. Told my indie I wanted the 2 bad doors fixed but wouldn't hold them to Jag's estimate of 0.8 hours. They thought perhaps Jag had meant 0.8 hours per door!

One of the mechanics had Master Technician qualifications from Germany, and had done this job on many Mercedes cars but never on a Jag. In summary, he took 1 hour for the 1st door, 0.5 hours for the next door. Parts & labor was $220 (plus tax) and guess what? Gurgling has completely disappeared!

 

Brilliant! Great to hear this.

 

It appears these parts are now 48 bucks each !!! Anyone have a link for a cheaper source I'm not a cheapskate (ok, I am a bit ) but 400% is ridiculous.

 

ebay????

 

First place I checked, No Love.Any Motorcraft cross referenced parts?

 

Have you looked at the parts?


I have found many of them have Ford part numbers on them and that can help in getting the Lincoln LS version.


I have both cars and for some reason the Lincoln does not suffer from this gurgling sound problem. So they may use different blend doors.
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I have not looked at the parts tbird, since I wanted to avoid having the car apart until I was ready to do the work. My gf has my other vehicle and I will be without a car till I fix the problem.
Given the delicacy of taking the dash apart I don't want to create more rattles and squeaks by taking it apart multiple times.