Gerbils and more

[marilynmichael]

I have a 2004 Cayenne S.

I purchased the car used from a dealer about a year and a half ago. I drove it off the lot and noticed 'gerbils' in the dashboard. Drove straight back to the dealer. Car was gone for a few days and came back 'fixed'.

The 'gerbils' have returned along with 'wind rushing' and 'creaking' noises. These are essentially in the dash, but also, now, down by the drivers feet area. It seems that this happens when the climate control system is heating and not when in AC. Not 100% sure on that.

So, I searched a saw a few things out there. Basically, read that 'some say this is expensive to fix' and 'servo motors'.

I have heard I need to remove the entire dash from the car.

Questions:

1. What is not working correctly?

2. Do it yourself or just too complex?

3. If I take it to a shop, how much $$$ to fix?

Thank you

Michael

[bigbuzuki]

Sounds like the servo motors alright.

Mine had the same issues and the whole dash was removed to change all 12 (yes 12), servo motors.

No idea what it costs as mine was done under CPO warranty.

Good news is that once the servos were changed, the a/c system is perfectly quiet.

Edited March 2, 2010 by bigbuzuki

[SWFLHOMES]

I am in SW Forida and it is rarely cold here (except this winter). I notice when I have the heat on or when the exterior temp is lower than the digital drivers side readout the noises begin. If I lower the drivers temp to a temp near or lower than the outside temp the noise stops. Once I use the A/C (most of the year here), I never hear noises.

[rizzo]

Any of the mechanics on this forum have input about which servo motors are more likely to cause the problem?

My 04 S has this problem. I have read the repair manual but it is quite vague about where the servos are and how many their are. The manual only discusses how to remove one in general relating to the heater via removal of the glove box.

Are all the servos the same size and part so they are interchangeable one location to the next?

I'd attempt this myself if I don't have to go any deeper than the glove box.

Thanks!!

Sounds like the servo motors alright.

Mine had the same issues and the whole dash was removed to change all 9 (yes 9), servo motors.

No idea what it costs as mine was done under CPO warranty.

Good news is that once the servos were changed, the a/c system is perfectly quiet.

[bigbuzuki]

I just checked the repair invoice and it was actually 12 servos that were changed.

Below is the copy with the part numbers.