DrJohn

I have a 2001 A8L with 24000 miles and have had nearly flawless performance from my car during the last 3.5 years. Over the past few months, a loud clicking noise has developed under the dash, seemingly localized to the the right side. About 4-6 loud clicks occur almost precisely on a seven minute interval. I believe the noise is related to some aspect of the ventilation, climate control system. Often (but not always)the noise will occur after the car is started, and when the fan and climate control system first engage. Regardless, once underway the clicking will begin within the next several minutes and then continue throughout the drive every 7 minutes. I have tried to have the Audi dealership look at it twice but they have essentially dismissed the problem. I even made a tape recording of the noise but I don't believe they actually listened to it. I don't need to indicate to the readers of this forum how annoying a noise like this is in such a high quality, low noise interior environment of the A8. Has anyone else experienced a similar problem and, if so, what was it and how was it rectified? Thanks to all for your consideration.

BrianC72gt

I haven't addressed it, but I do have it. It sounds like duelling relays clicking merrily away back and forth somewhere in the central dash region near the climate controls. I've tried AC on and off, fan on/off stero on and off....no change.

I've got a box with control arms and an odometer a few thou under 90K so, I've got a couple of other projects to attend to first.

Good luck with it and let me know what you discover.

Brian C.
2000 A8

Sven_S8

It's most likely the motor for one of the flaps. In the facelift cars they increased power on the motor actuator by ~ 1.6V, thus also applying more force on the motor and flap. It's actuated every 7 minutes (16 pulses) to hold the flap securely closed. What probably has happened is some gears have worn out, causing the clicking noises.

Here's an excerpt of the manual:


<i>


Replace the control motor if it emits cracking or rattling noises at regular intervals (approx. every 7 min.).
- These noises are emitted from the control motor gearing when the control motor is actuated by the -E87.
- The control motor is actuated to hold the flap/motor securely at a stop limit.
- To determine which control motor is causing the noises, the various control motors must be connected in sequence (using the test box V.A.G 1598 and wires from the adapter set V.A.G 1594A) to the 12 V vehicle voltage (positive socket "E5" and negative socket "E9") until each control motor has reached a stop limit. The control motor is moved to the other stop limit by swapping over positive and negative.</i>


HTH

badmyan

I'm truly amazed by the diagnostics ability of this forum

Mitaka

It is amazaing isn't it

Jkay

Are they purposely blowing you off or are they truly clueless about common tech bulletins for their Tier 1 (semi)Flagship vehicle?

Inquiring minds want to know.

PaulW

It is awesome, but surprised the dealership didn't know what Sven knew!

SteveIAS8

Difference between an owner of an A8, and simply a worker?

ryoung

And a sad commentary.

Jkay

They are not charging people 80 to 100 USD per hour for the services of a simple worker. When you bill your technicians as "highly trained in the complex and advanced workings of the Audi A8" and then they don't even know what's in the tech bulletins, that is not just sad. That is BS.