Going just on what you've said, IMO it's either a bad actuator in the HVAC system (there are three of them) or the HVAC control module is failing and not shutting off one of actuators when it's reached it's limit.

 

How is that related to opening the car door?

 

Sounds like a HVAC actuator to me too. I would hear a loud clicking when entering my Pat too when my blend door actuator was dying. If you sit in there for about 5 minutes after you turn the car off you'll probably hear it too.

 

Thanks for your response. I will look into it.

Going just on what you've said, IMO it's either a bad actuator in the HVAC system (there are three of them) or the HVAC control module is failing and not shutting off one of actuators when it's reached it's limit.

Thanks! I will check it out.

 

Welcome to the group. These guys are great and full of good Jeep info have fun and enjoy. 🚥

 

I just bought one Tuesday (11/29/22) and it did this when I got home from the dealership. I came inside, did a few things and took some stuff out to the jeep (that I literally just purchased) and it did this. It has done it at least 7 times since then(12/3/22) . Any idea what it is or the cost to fix it? (mileage on 2016 Jeep Patriot High Altitude - 66,500)

 

FYI I had a new actuator installed by Sun Automotive. Their charge was $160.
The rip off Jeep dealer estimated the cost to be between $300-$500.

 

FYI I had a new actuator installed by Sun Automotive. Their charge was $160.
The rip off Jeep dealer estimated the cost to be between $300-$500.

Was your jeep doing the same thing? Also, do you know if this would sometimes mess with the AC/Heat? Sometimes when I first turn the heat on in the AM it continues to come out cold (when the car is warmed up), but if I turn the heat towards cool air, it starts to come out hot, then I can turn it back to fully heat and it works.

 

That definitely sounds like a bad blend door actuator. There are small plastic gears inside that can strip over time, causing issues like you're experiencing.

 

I have the same problem with my pat 2012. I changed my door actuator but the loud tapping sound still there, when unlocking the door. Heater and air-con are working fine.

 

Did you ever resolve this issue? A friend with a 2016 Patriot is having the same issue when opening the driver door and the rear hatch.

 

Have you checked the HVAC actuators?

 

My wife’s 2012 pat is doing the same. Random times after unlocking the door, just after starting it. Happens at different times. will look into the actuators

 

What happens if you don’t fix the hvac actuator sound?

 

The clicking is due to the gears stripping.
If it isn't fixed it will continue and will eventually fail completely, then whatever part of the HVAC system that actuator controls will no longer work properly.

 

When you open the door to get in, the HVAC actuators auto-calibrate.

 

Thanks! Now I know the rest of the story.

 

I have the same issue with my 2010 Patriot. It started with an actuator that’s located under the glove box. I purchased a replacement on eBay for cheap but never installed it. The noise went away. Then a couple of months a louder, more rapid noise started around the middle of the dash when I enter or park and shut off the engine. So I guess I’ll purchase the other two actuators and replace all three at the same time.

I’ve also read here or online, I don’t remember. This is a common problem with the Patriot so don’t feel bad.

 

... Then a couple of months a louder, more rapid noise started around the middle of the dash when I enter or park and shut off the engine.

If it's a more "metallic" sounding clack-clack-clack it might be the ABS module in the engine bay going through it's routine.

 

wow everybody; never have I found such useful information for my exact problem… clacking sound from driver side, under dashboard, when I open the door or close it; cars off. this morning i noticed my heater wasn’t working at all, then just not well. a couple of months ago I scraped the driver side, particularly the door, hard against a low stone wall that I couldn’t see, and I’m wondering if that might’ve messed that up or whatever… for a couple of days after that, there was a loud like crack sound when I would open my driver side door, but then that stopped.

 

I replaced the blend-door actuator, the one in the center of the dash that's behind/below the radio. It wasn't difficult except for the fact that I had to crawl on the driver side floor to get to it, and I'm in my 50's and outta shape. Took me less than an hour and I only needed one screwdriver.

There are several good videos on YouTube.

 

Thanks for the info. You’ve convinced me I should take mine in and have it done. I’m 65y/o and out of shape. Though I will be changing out my radio. Can the actuator be reached from above ?

 

I think the one in my jeep is under the glove box. Apparently it's a differently challenging job depending on which of the 3 locations are the problem ones. I'm 66 and out of shape, haha. I'll probably take mine in too and have them figure out which one needs replacing, unless all of them are bad (Murphy's Law). Thanks for the info.

 

I’ve already bought my replacements. I noticed there’s a video on YouTube that supposedly guides you through resetting the ones you have, but I’ve lost track of it.

 

Cues but how does it do it when the vehicle is turned off and just sitting there

 

There's still power to various things even with the switch off and the doors locked.


If it's more of a metallic clicking / clacking it may be the ABS module going through one of it's routines.