2019 Honda Civic odd clicking noise inside cabin!

[usagora]

Posted this some time ago on a dedicate Civic forum, but it's not getting much action. Anyone here have any clue what might be causing this sound? It seems to be coming from underneath the steering column or near the pedals. Car runs smooth as silk, but this sound is about to drive me crazy and seems to be getting worse and more frequent. This happens when moving and stopped, but seems worse when stopped or slowing down (but that may just be because road noise is masking it at higher speeds). Almost sounds like a Geiger counter or someone typing on a very subdued typewriter.

 

[44267547]

I have no idea what that noise would be (I’m decently good at automotive tracing), it’s almost to the point where I would have to be physically driving the car to even have a sense of where the noise is coming from to make a determination of the location.

But here’s what I would do if I were you…

I assume your car has some type of warranty, [being it’s a 2019], I would drive to a Honda dealership to schedule an appointment, and have a lead technician drive with you, so they can verify the noise and probably make a determination what’s causing that.

Depending on the dealership, they may not even charge you just to do a quick ride along, being the sound is very apparent and seems like something that could be easily located given how audible it is. And possibly, it might be covered under an warranty advisement.

 

[usagora]

I have no idea what that noise would be (I’m decently good at locating automotive tracing), it’s almost to the point where I would have to be physically driving the car to even have a sense of where the noise is coming from to make a determination of the location.

But here’s what I would do if I were you…

I assume your car has some type of warranty, [being it’s a 2019], I would drive to a Honda dealership to schedule an appointment, and have a lead technician drive with you, so they can verify the noise and probably make a determination what’s causing that.

Depending on the dealership, they may not even charge you just to do a quick ride along, being the sound is very apparent and seems like something that could be easily located given how audible it is. And possibly, it might be covered under an warranty advisement.

I know; I'm just trying to avoid having to take the time to schedule that and do that (especially since it's not affecting performance in any way) - and Murphy's Law says it won't happen (or will be much fainter) when a tech is riding along. A few minutes ago I read on another forum where someone described the same type of sound (though they didn't post audio/video for me to verify) and said it was their steering wheel telescopic locking mechanism that was loose. I'll check that out tomorrow morning to see if maybe that's the issue.

P.S. I did bump up the gain on the audio to pronounce the noise (to account for people listening at lower volumes or cheaper speakers) - IRL it's not QUITE that loud, but still very audible.

 

[44267547]

I know; I'm just trying to avoid having to take the time to schedule that and do that (especially since it's not affecting performance in any way) - and Murphy's Law says it won't happen (or will be much fainter) when a tech is riding along. A few minutes ago I read on another forum where someone described the same type of sound (though they didn't post audio/video for me to verify) and said it was their steering wheel telescopic locking mechanism that was loose. I'll check that out tomorrow morning to see if maybe that's the issue.

That very well could be the telescopic locking mechanism.

Even though it’s not affecting the performance, it’s probably not something you want to ignore either. Like I said, your vehicle should be covered under warranty and it would be free of charge for you. If it was me, I would personally make the appointment if you can’t make a self-determination and repair it. I realize it does take time out of your schedule, but it’s the practical thing to do given noises can be very complicated to trace, just as much as leaks are.

Being that noise is that audible and if it’s consistent all the time when you’re driving it, it won’t go away if a tech drives it. Even if it does and it’s intermittent, I would take your video and even have a tech listen to it as a starting point.

 

[usagora]

That very well could be the telescopic locking mechanism.

Even though it’s not affecting the performance, it’s probably not something you want to ignore either. Like I said, your vehicle should be covered under warranty and it would be free of charge for you. If it was me, I would personally make the appointment if you can’t make a self-determination and repair it. I realize it does take time out of your schedule, but it’s the practical thing to do given noises can be very complicated, just as much as leaks are.

Being that noise is that audible and if it’s consistent all the time when you’re driving it, it won’t go away if a tech drives it. Even if it does and it’s intermittent, I would take your video and even have a tech listen to it as a starting point.

Agreed. I'm definitely going to get to the bottom of this one way or the other.

 

[44267547]

Agreed. I'm definitely going to get to the bottom of this one way or the other.

Whenever you figure it out, I’m definitely curious to know what the problem was. For me, nothing drives me more crazy when you have unknown rattling in a car. So I hear you on the annoyance factor.

 

[usagora]

Update:
Released the steering wheel lock lever and moved the steering wheel through the whole range of motion (up/down, in/out), returned to the position I had it at (all the way in and up), and moved the lock lever back to the locked position. Started the car, drove a few miles, and did not hear the clicking sound once, so that's hopeful. Yesterday it was clicking all day. However, there were times in the past where it would go a while without making the sound, so this is not conclusive yet. Will see how it goes over the next few days.

 

[Prof.]

I’d wait for your steering column to fail, and you crash your car and ’splode.

For real, though… take your car in and have it looked at. I feel like you’re playing Russian roulette if you keep trying to trouble shoot it online.

 

[44267547]

I’d wait for your steering column to fail, and you crash your car and ’splode.

For real, though… take your car in and have it looked at. I feel like you’re playing Russian roulette if you keep trying to trouble shoot it online.

To me, it seems like the OP already figured out the problem, being that he mentioned the rattling sound went away. Also, I assume that _if_ it was a safety issue, they are intelligent enough where they would bring the vehicle to a dealership for inspection.

 

[usagora]

To me, it seems like the OP already figured out the problem, being that he mentioned the rattling sound went away. Also, I assume that _if_ it was a safety issue, they are intelligent enough where they would bring the vehicle to a dealership for inspection.

Thanks. Was about to give an update. I was off yesterday and didn't drive anywhere except my couple mile test drive after adjusting the steering wheel. Drove 18 miles to work today - no noise. Drove 18 miles back - no noise . . . until about 3/4 of the way back, and then it started again 😭 I immediately released the steering wheel lock and moved the steering wheel all around, but it had no effect on the clicking sound. So I locked the steering wheel back and tried turning off the AC blowers completely, but that had no effect on the noise either. Though doing that revealed another strange issue. As soon as I turned off the AC blowers, the car started to vibrate. Not violently, but enough so as to make my seat slightly uncomfortable. As soon as I turned the AC blower back on, the vibration went away. It also goes away if you leave the blower off and switch to neutral or start driving. I've never turned the blowers off before, so I can't be sure if this is something new or has been there all along. From reading online, it seems many claim this is normal (and some say they've been told this even by dealerships) - basically a slight vibration due to lowered RPMs when turning off the blower motor.

As for safety, I don't think either of these issues are safety issues in the least. I planned to take the car in to my regular mechanic in January for an annual inspection (I do the oil changes and tire rotations myself every 3k), so I'm not concerned at all to wait until then to let them have a go at it first.

 

[44267547]

Thanks. Was about to give an update. I was off yesterday and didn't drive anywhere except my couple mile test drive after adjusting the steering wheel. Drove 18 miles to work today - no noise. Drove 18 miles back - no noise . . . until about 3/4 of the way back, and then it started again 😭 I immediately released the steering wheel lock and moved the steering wheel all around, but it had no effect on the clicking sound. So I locked the steering wheel back and tried turning off the AC blowers completely, but that had no effect on the noise either. Though doing that revealed another strange issue. As soon as I turned off the AC blowers, the car started to vibrate. Not violently, but enough so as to make my seat slightly uncomfortable. As soon as I turned the AC blower back on, the vibration went away. It also goes away if you leave the blower off and switch to neutral or start driving. I've never turned the blowers off before, so I can't be sure if this is something new or has been there all along. From reading online, it seems many claim this is normal (and some say they've been told this even by dealerships) - basically a slight vibration due to lowered RPMs when turning off the blower motor.

As for safety, I don't think either of these issues are safety issues in the least. I planned to take the car in to my regular mechanic in January for an annual inspection (I do the oil changes and tire rotations myself every 3k), so I'm not concerned at all to wait until then to let them have a go at it first.

Time to sell it…..



I’m kidding. 😁

Best of luck with the car. I won’t repeat anything I said above, but just remember with a warranty, that’s what they’re there for.

 

[hariyer87]

Did you finally resolve this?
I am facing the same one now! Exactly as you mentioned in your previous comments

 

[usagora]

Did you finally resolve this?
I am facing the same one now! Exactly as you mentioned in your previous comments

It actually hasn't made that sound once in quite a few months now, and honestly I've forgotten about it until I saw your reply just now. I'm not sure if it may have something to do with the weather staying colder or not. I guess I'll find out in the spring! I did take it into my regular mechanic last week for a full annual safety inspection and it passed everything, so I don't think the sound was related to any major system.

Has it been consistently cold where you drive your Civic? If so, I guess that would go against my theory that lower temps might resolve or mask the issue.

 

[satcomer]

It probably has do with dust on heater spinning fans! When is last time you changed the cabin air filter to keep dust out?

 

[usagora]

It probably has do with dust on heater spinning fans! When is last time you changed the cabin air filter to keep dust out?

See previous post about the sound having been stopped for months now. But I change both my engine air filter and cabin air filter every 6 months, and I don't live in a dusty environment, so I don't think that was the issue.

 

[Manav]

Did you finally resolve this?
I am facing the same one now! Exactly as you mentioned in your previous comments

Hii iam facing the same from the last couple of weeks did you got any solution for this

 

[usagora]

Hii iam facing the same from the last couple of weeks did you got any solution for this

It seems to have gone away on its own. I think it stopped in November/December and hasn't reoccurred. Still a mystery to me. Will be interesting to see if it comes back when the weather gets hot again.

 

[Bacire]

Thanks. Was about to give an update. I was off yesterday and didn't drive anywhere except my couple mile test drive after adjusting the steering wheel. Drove 18 miles to work today - no noise. Drove 18 miles back - no noise . . . until about 3/4 of the way back, and then it started again ? I immediately released the steering wheel lock and moved the steering wheel all around, but it had no effect on the clicking sound. So I locked the steering wheel back and tried turning off the AC blowers completely, but that had no effect on the noise either. Though doing that revealed another strange issue. As soon as I turned off the AC blowers, the car started to vibrate. Not violently, but enough so as to make my seat slightly uncomfortable. As soon as I turned the AC blower back on, the vibration went away. It also goes away if you leave the blower off and switch to neutral or start driving. I've never turned the blowers off before, so I can't be sure if this is something new or has been there all along. From reading online, it seems many claim this is normal (and some say they've been told this even by dealerships) - basically a slight vibration due to lowered RPMs when turning off the blower motor.

As for safety, I don't think either of these issues are safety issues in the least. I planned to take the car in to my regular mechanic in January for an annual inspection (I do the oil changes and tire rotations myself every 3k), so I'm not concerned at all to wait until then to let them have a go at it first.

My 2019 Civic is making the same sound. It is faint but there. It usually stops when I shut the climate control off.

 

[satcomer]

To me the clicking could be a fan to something with dust on it! When the last time you change the inside cabin air filter?

 

[usagora]

My 2019 Civic is making the same sound. It is faint but there. It usually stops when I shut the climate control off.

Interesting. As you saw in the post you quoted, shutting off the air system had no effect in my case. Also, in case you didn't see post 17, the sound eventually stopped and hasn't reoccurred for many months. Although I *thought* I heard it briefly the other day, except it seemed to be coming from a different area in the cabin - almost like it was the center armrest storage or glove compartment.

 

[usagora]

To me the clicking could be a fan to something with dust on it! When the last time you change the inside cabin air filter?

?

 

[Bacire]

Interesting. As you saw in the post you quoted, shutting off the air system had no affect in my case. Also, in case you didn't see post 17, the sound eventually stopped and hasn't reoccurred for many months. Although I *thought* I heard it briefly the other day, except it seemed to be coming from a different area in the cabin - almost like it was the center armrest storage or glove compartment.

The clicking can be heard throughout the day in my case. They already replaced a blower motor but when I went to drive the cart home it obviously was not that alone. The clicking is a little quiet today and I took the car to another dealership hoping they had some other ideas.

 

[Bacire]

The clicking can be heard throughout the day in my case. They already replaced a blower motor but when I went to drive the cart home it obviously was not that alone. The clicking is a little quiet today and I took the car to another dealership hoping they had some other ideas.

I meant to say throughout the cabin

 

[Bacire]

I meant to say throughout the cabin

the dash not the cabin-sorry about the confusion

 

[Bacire]

To me the clicking could be a fan to something with dust on it! When the last time you change the inside cabin air filter?

Cabin and engine filters I changed a couple weeks ago so they are good.