2015 Legacy noise

[bman291317]

I have a 2015 Legacy 3.6r. I have had the car for a year now and about six months ago I noticed a popping/cracking sound that seemed to come from the climate control panel and the plastic surrounding it. This occurs pretty randomly and sounds similar to popping bubble wrap. I read online on some other car forums that this could be from the temperature of the plastic changing. Example if its hot in the summer and you run your air the plastic cools and or if its cold in the winter and you run your heat the plastic warms. I'm guessing they mean that the material expands and contracts? But anyway the sound has continued throughout the summer, fall, and now winter. It will happen even if I am not running any air or heat. Also the same noise will occur randomly if I push any of the buttons on the climate control panel or turn any of the dials. Anyone else had this happen?

[waldguy]

Mine makes random noises as well. It possibly seems related to a change in the automatic control, but not necessarily. It has done it since new and doesn't bother me much as it's not constant.

[Yoda_One]

What he said^^^

[DougKelly20]

Mine squeaks randomly from the center console, most on larger bumps, but not every time. Only 22K on it....

[Squandy]

Mine just started making a cracking noise like you describe this morning when the temp dropped below freezing. It drove me nuts, thought it could be the speaker somehow, but I took out the glove box and found it's the actuator/motor that controls the climate control. That's actually the reason I came across your post, I'm checking to see if others solved the issue since I dont want to replace it only to find out it's not the true issue.

 

Sounds like it's the case though, theres several of these behind the glove box on the side where the cabin air filter is. Follow the noise and unplug the culprit, if it stops you likely found the one that needs replaced.

 

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

[bman291317]

Mine just started making a cracking noise like you describe this morning when the temp dropped below freezing. It drove me nuts, thought it could be the speaker somehow, but I took out the glove box and found it's the actuator/motor that controls the climate control. That's actually the reason I came across your post, I'm checking to see if others solved the issue since I dont want to replace it only to find out it's not the true issue.

 

Sounds like it's the case though, theres several of these behind the glove box on the side where the cabin air filter is. Follow the noise and unplug the culprit, if it stops you likely found the one that needs replaced.

 

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

 

 

Squandy, interesting, I never thought of that. On my way into work this morning (about a 45 minute drive) I had my heat running and I heard the noise 4 times. It definitely isn't a noise from bumps in the road because they occur when driving on smooth roads, or even parked. It also occurs sometimes when I press the fan speed button, or if I turn the temp control knob. So your theory seems to be pretty accurate. Have you tried to unplug any of yours with success?