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Ford Mustang V6 2005-2014: Why is My Dash Clicking?

Get rid of that irritating clicking noise by following these simple instructions.

By Jared Hammond - October 15, 2015

This article applies to the Ford Mustang V6 (2005-2014).

Mustangs are prone to all sorts of strange noises, but none are quite so irritating as the baffling clicking that comes from your dash. Don't worry, your odometer is not about to explode. If what you're experiencing is a series of clicks right after turning the key in the ignition, then rest assure that this is a problem that's easy to solve. The culprit is one of your blend door actuators for the HVAC system. The actuators are motors that open and close the vents of your A/C. What happens is one of the gears of the motors gets broken and, as it tries to spin, it creates a clicking noise.

Materials Needed

  • Replacement blend door actuator motor
  • Ratchet and socket set

Step 1 – Identify the broken actuator

There are a total of four actuators in the car. You'll need to figure out which one is broken before you can actually replace it. Pry off the driver's side kick panel with your hands. Then remove the four bolts underneath the glove box. The glove box should come loose. Gently set it aside. You should now be able to access all four actuators. One is on the left side of the center dash accessible from the driver's side. The other three are accessed from the passenger's side. Unplug the wires from one of the actuators and turn the ignition. If you still hear the clicks, replace the plug and repeat for the next one; do this until you find the actuator that is broken.

Figure 1. Blend door actuator.

Step 2 – Replace the broken actuator

Remove the two bolts holding the broken actuator to the car, and then remove the actuator. Insert your new actuator to the car. Make sure to line up the plastic crank of the actuator with the slot in the car as you insert it. Return the two bolts and plug in the electrical connector. Turn the ignition. Hopefully the clicking noise will be gone now and the HVAC will be working properly. Return the driver's side kick panel and glove box when you're done.

Figure 2. Broken gear in a blend door actuator.

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